Better blood pressure control with short daily HD

In a new study of 12 patients switched from standard to daily HD, blood pressure was less variable on daily treatments—and drops during treatment were significantly reduced. (These changes may help explain the better survival on this treatment.)

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Antibiotic ointment aids Buttonhole safety

The only downside of the Buttonhole technique for dialysis needles has been a higher risk of infection. That risk can be reduced, finds a new study. No patient who put mupirocin (Bactroban®) ointment on Buttonholes after treatment got an infection.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Patients: Buttonholes feel AND look better

Among 53 people doing HD, 93% had shorter bleeding times with the Buttonhole technique, 81% had less needle pain, and 80% felt that their fistulas looked better. Fewer people needed surgery to fix their fistulas, too.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Doing PD with no kidney function? Be sure your UF is 1 liter/day

You can do PD with no remaining kidney function. But a new study finds that people who get at least 1 liter of UF back each day live longer on PD than those who don't. If your UF is less, talk with your doctor.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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PD does not cause myocardial stunning

On standard HD, drops in blood pressure can reduce blood flow to the heart. Over time, this repeat "stunning" can cause heart damage. An in-depth study of 10 people on PD found that stunning did not occur.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Breast cancer drug offers hope for encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS)

Tamoxifen has been shown to improve survival in EPS--a rare, but sometimes deadly PD complication that can lead to bowel obstruction. In a study of 63 people with severe EPS, those treated with the drug had significantly better survival.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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News from the FHN Study

Results are starting to trickle in from the Frequent Hemodialysis Network study. The most common reasons why people did not want to do home HD were lack of motivation, not wanting to change from in-center treatment, and fear of putting in their own needles.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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Green dialysis: Saving the planet

Dialysis uses a lot of power and a lot of water. Reusing those resources saves water, energy, and money. Our own Dr. John Agar has a new paper out about his solar dialysis and water reuse practices in Australia.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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New formula finds residual renal function with just ONE urine sample

24-hour urine tests are not a lot of fun. Japanese researchers have found that a ratio of two cystatin-C and creatinine in the urine predicts residual function just about as well, without all of the hassle.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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NAC appears to improve residual kidney function in people on PD

A supplement called N-acetylcysteine improved residual kidney function by about 50% in people on PD. (ALWAYS talk to your doctor before taking ANY over the counter meds.)

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)

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