Extended catheters make PD possible for more people

For those who can't have an abdominal PD catheter, an "extended" (i.e., presternal) catheter that can exit in the chest can make PD work. A new study found 1, 2, and 3-year catheter success rates that were slightly lower than standard PD catheters.

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

Tags:

Icodextrin improved nutrition and inflammation in PD

Replacing glucose-based PD fluid with icodextrin led to 66% better fluid removal, significantly higher protein levels, and significantly lower levels of the inflammation marker CRP.

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

Tags:

Pain meds may one day protect the peritoneum

COX-2 inhibitors fight pain and inflammation. A new study in mice has found that COX-2 drugs were able to reduce fibrosis and damage to the peritoneum caused by PD fluid. This finding may one day help people to do PD longer.

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

Tags:

New resource for intraperitoneal drug delivery

On PD, it's not hard to inject a drug into the PD bag so it goes into the peritoneum. Which drugs are safest and most effective this way? A new article tells you the scoop.

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

Tags:

Hope for peritoneal fibrosis?

Over time, the peritoneum can become fibrous and thickened, and less able to filter the blood during PD. A new study in rats suggests that erythropoietin (EPO) may help. Rats treated with EPO had less fibrosis. Down the road, perhaps this finding will help people.

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

Tags:

Which is safer for placing a PD catheter: General or local anesthesia?

Trick question. Turns out, they're both safe! In more than 300 people followed between 1999 and 2008, there were no major complications in either group. PD catheter failure rates were similar (5% for general, 7% for local).

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

Tags:

Icodextrin PD fluid causes less weight gain

We're not surprised to learn that PD fluid that doesn't contain dextrose (sugar) is less likely to cause weight gain! A study of 183 PD patients found weight gains after 3 years (88% of it fat) among those using standard fluid, and significantly less weight gain in an icodextrin group.

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

Tags:

PD catheter placement: Surgeon or nephrologist?

Does who places a PD catheter make a difference in complications or catheter survival? Not really, finds a new Greek study that looked at 152 patients who received 170 catheters. Only early leakage (easily treated) was more likely with nephrologist placement.

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

Tags:

Mupirocin (Bactroban®) reduces staph exit site infection and peritonitis in PD

A meta-analysis of 14 studies looking at 1233 patients and 1217 controls has concluded that using an ointment with mupiricin can help prevent PD problems. Exit site infections and peritonitis—both due to staph aureus and to some other germs—were reduced by as much as 72%.

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

Tags:

Rat study: Celexicob reduces peritoneal fibrosis

COX-2 is involved in fibrosis and the growth of new blood vessels. Is there a way to protect the peritoneal membrane using a COX-2 inhibitor so it lasts longer for PD? Perhaps one day there will be. A new study found that rats given a substance that causes fibrosis had fewer new blood vessels and milky spots, and far less fibrosis than controls.

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

Tags: