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  • Colonic dialysis—a 2-year case report

    A 20-year old woman has been kept alive for 2 years after refusing dialysis. Instead, she used PD fluid to wash out her bowels (she had bowel surgery that required her to irrigate her bowels so she could move them). Her creatinine has risen from 1.7 mg/dL to 2.8 mg/dL over the 2 years.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2014-02-06)

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  • Treatment of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis

    Science has not yet shed light on how to prevent EPS. But, this review covers treatments for the rare and devastating condition. These include steroids, tamoxifen, and the immunosuppressants sirolimus or everolimus (at transplant blood levels). Surgery may also be needed.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2014-01-08)

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  • Extended HD improves sleep quality in China, too

    Studies find that extended HD helps people sleep better—and, per a new study, this is just as true in China as elsewhere. Forty standard HD patients were switched to in-center nocturnal HD thrice weekly for 6 months. After the switch, Kt/V rose significantly, as did BUN clearance, hemoglobin (with fewer ESAs), and albumin. Phosphorus levels dropped significantly, as did blood pressure. Sleep quality and quality of life were significantly better as well, though sleep quality started to decline again after 2 months.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2014-01-08)

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  • Nocturnal HD may reduce risk factors for sudden heart death

    Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of death on dialysis. A chart review study with ECGs has found that a year of nocturnal HD significantly improved heart function vs. standard in-center HD, even before changes to the left ventricle could be seen. More frequent nocturnal HD decreased Tpeak to Tend and QRS amplitude variation.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2014-01-08)

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  • PD catheter fixation is helpful

    In a series of 53 patients, placing PD catheters laparoscopically and fixing the catheter in place reduced catheter migration and other complications, was faster and less invasive than open placement, and led to shorter recover times.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2014-01-08)

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  • Fluid overload predicts LVH in people on PD

    In a cross-sectional echocardiogram study of 31 people on PD, those with LVH had lower serum albumin levels, higher blood pressure, and more overhydration than those who did not have LVH. Overhydration (p=0.007) was the strongest predictors of LVH in multivariate analysis.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2014-01-08)

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  • How does PD change muscle protein use?

    PD is the only form of dialysis that removes protein-bound solutes. But, PD also "induces a new state in muscle protein dynamics," finds a new study, decreasing protein turnover rates and reducing their efficiency. Treatments like use of amino or ketoacids, vitamin D, exercise, and myostatin antagonism for malnourished patients may help.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2014-01-08)

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