Journal Watch
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Using a B. Braun Machine for Home HD
Successful use of a B. Braun machine for home HD required more space in the home, a dedicated reverse osmosis system, specialized plumbing and electrical connections, and machine-specific patient training. Most patients found these home requirements manageable and the machine easy to use for daytime or nocturnal treatments.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-10-14)
Tags: B. Braun Machine, Home HD, Machine Requirements, Machine specific Patient Training
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Challenges and Opportunities in Managing Individuals with Obesity on Peritoneal Dialysis
Some view obesity as a contraindication to PD, which limits treatment options for many patients. However, PD can be successfully utilized by people with obesity! Careful planning of the exit site can help.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-09-15)
Tags: Obesity, Peritoneal Dialysis, Exit Site
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Amino acid and protein losses in adult patients receiving maintenance dialysis: a literature review
Patients on dialysis lose amino acids/protein on HD, hemodiafiltration (HDF). home HD, peritoneal dialysis (PD) and nocturnal HD (NHD). Protein losses were greater with HDF compared to HD. Patients on daily PD lose more amino acids/protein than those on HD.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-09-15)
Tags: Amino Acids, Protein Loss, Dialysis
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PD Peritonitis and the Gut Microbiome
Researchers investigated a causal relationship between the gut microbiome and peritonitisby combining Mendelian randomization of statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and a case control study of 24 patients. The results suggested potential destabilization of the gut bacterial network in patients with peritonitis. In particular, there were significant negative correlations between interleukin-6 levels and Faecalibacterium, Coprococcus, Dorea, Anaerostipes, and Lachnospira.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-08-21)
Tags: Mendelian Randomization, Peritoneal Dialysis associated Peritonitis, Amplicon Sequencing, Cytokine, Gut Microbiome
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No Benefit to Postponing PD Catheter Removal After Transplant
Data collected from 324 patients at five centers matched patients who had PD catheters removed during transplant with those who had them removed after a transplant. Metrics included need for dialysis within 2 months after transplant, catheter-related infection/peritonitis/surgical site infection, and length of hospitalization. Analysis revealed that 14% of patients needed postoperative dialysis (no statistically significant difference between groups. There were no differences in the composite infection endpoint—but hospitalization was significantly higher in the post-transplant removal group.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-08-21)
Tags: Catheter related Infections, Delayed Graft Function, Kidney Transplantation, Peritoneal Dialysis
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Chlorhexidine vs. Ethanol for Buttonhole AVF Disinfection
A randomized, cross-over trial compared 5mg/mL chlorhexidine in 70% ethanol vs. 70% ethanol alone in four dialysis treatments. Factors considered were arm washing, serial sampling of normal skin flora immediately before/after disinfection, and 2 and 4 hours after disinfection. Buttonhole scabs were collected and compared to each patient’s normal skin flora. Chlorhexidine was more effective than ethanol alone.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-08-21)
Tags: Chlorhexidine, Ethanol, Skin Flora, Disinfection, AV Fistula, Buttonhole
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Diabetes + PD + Self-management: Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB)
Semi-structured interviews formulated with TPB were conducted with 16 diabetic kidney disease (DKD) PD patients. Analysis identified 3 themes and 7 sub-themes related to physical and mental perception, emotions, subjective norm, continuity of care, social feedback, perceived behavioral control, and limitations on external resources. Strengthening positive feedback and social support can improve active patient participation in decision-making.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-08-21)
Tags: Diabetic Kidney Disease, Diabetes, PD, Self management, Theory Of Planned Behavior
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Black and Latino Patients: Staying on PD
Black and Latino patients are disproportionately affected by ESKD, less likely to use PD, and more likely to switch to in-center HD if they do start PD. In-depth, semistructured interviews with twelve Black and eight Latino patients who were currently or previously receiving PD found that poor mental health, medicalization of the home, and language and cultural barriers were factors in PD dropout.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-08-21)
Tags: Ethnicity, ESKD, PD, PD Dropout
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In-center Hemodialysis Had the Highest Annual, Per-patient Carbon Footprint
Using comparative life cycle assessment methodology, the team identified the sources and extent of carbon emissions for all dialysis modalities. Compared to home HD (2,938 Kg CO2e), CAPD (1,969 Kg CO2e), and APD (3,339 Kg CO2e), an Australian study found significantly higher carbon impact with in-center HD (4,814 Kg CO2e).
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-07-16)
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Impact of Embedded PD Catheters on Peritonitis and Mortality
Moncrief and Popovich pioneered a buried PD catheter technique (inexplicably abbreviated as SMAP). In a study, outcomes of 285 consecutive patients who had PD catheters implanted either directly (n=96) or via SMAP (n=189) were analyzed retrospectively. Both the risks of peritonitis and mortality were significantly lower in the SMAP group.
Read the abstract » | (added 2025-07-16)
Tags: Embedded PD Catheters, Peritonitis, Mortality, Moncrief And Popovich Technique