Wearable and implantable kidney devices

The current standard in-center paradigm needs to change, say the authors of this review. Radically new approaches are needed to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Two such approaches on the horizon are wearable and implantable devices.

Read the abstract » | (added 2013-02-27)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

When choosing a treatment option, lifestyle is what matters to patients

A metaanalysis found 16 studies of how people with late-stage CKD choose what type of dialysis to do. Common elements included the life-or-death nature of ESRD; minimal intrusion of treatment into quality of life, autonomy, values, and sense of self; and making informed choices.

Read the abstract » | (added 2013-01-25)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

Can more fluid removal mean needing less toxin removal?

Makers of a wearable ultrafiltration (UF; water removal) device wanted to know if daily UF could be a way to cut back on the need for dialysis toxin removal. For 4 weeks, 13 in-center patients had 4 days a week of UF plus 2 days a week of HD. Then they did 4 weeks of standard, 3x week HD. Daily UF lowered blood pressure and weight gain between treatments significantly—while Kt/V rose.

Read the abstract » | (added 2013-01-25)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

Phosphate is a blood vessel toxin

High levels of phosphorus in the blood is linked with blood vessel calcification, thickened blood vessel walls, arterial stiffness, and heart damage—and may even cause premature aging.

Read the abstract » | (added 2012-12-19)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

Metaanalysis: Later dialysis start is better for HD

Starting dialysis at a lower GFR allows more time for access placement and options education. But the U.S. trend has been to start earlier. A new metaanalysis of 17 studies found that starting dialysis at a higher GFR was linked with a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality—in HD, but not PD. The mortality risk was lower when GFR was calculated than when it was estimated.

Read the abstract » | (added 2012-08-16)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

Pregnancy and more dialysis

In general, pregnancy is uncommon in women with ESRD. But more dialysis seems to improve pregnancy outcomes. This review article addresses fertility issues, pregnancy, and suggestions for how to manage dialysis in pregnant women.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-12-22)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

Adsorptive column removes B2m

Too-high levels of B2m cause amyloidosis in people on dialysis, with joint and bone pain. In Japan, people dialyzed using the Lixelle S-15 adsorptive column had significantly less B2m in their blood after a year of 3x/week treatments. They were also stronger and had less joint pain.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-11-28)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

Implantable artificial kidney—progress

Three key bits of technology are needed to make an implantable artificial kidney possible: high efficiency membranes to remove water, a way to keep blood from clotting, and a way to mimic the selective action of kidney cells for removing wastes. Progress is occurring in each area.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-10-27)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

Mucomyst does not prevent nephrogenic systemic sclerosis

A new study randomized 2,308 people at risk for kidney injury from contrast dye into two groups. One group was given acetylcysteine (Mucomyst®) by mouth, a strong antioxidant. The other group was given a placebo. Both groups had the same rate of kidney injury and need for dialysis.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-09-29)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

PD as a treatment for severe heart failure

In a small study, people whose CKD had not yet caused kidney failure were helped by peritoneal dialysis. After 2 months, the 19 study participants lost water weight, breathed easier, could sleep lying flat, and had no hospital stays for fluid overload.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-09-29)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease