Journal Watch
Functional Iron Deficiency and Survival on PD
A 10-year retrospective look at survival examined records from 1,173 PD patients who had normal iron levels, absolute iron deficiency, functional iron deficiency (FID), or high iron levels. Among the group, 77.5% had iron deficiency, and FID, in particular, was linked with an increased risk of all-cause—but not cardiovascular—mortality.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-03-09)
Tags: Mortality, Peritoneal Dialysis, PD
Virtual Nephrologist Mentoring for Home Therapies
A “hub and spoke” model for virtual home mentorship may help overcome some of the physician barriers to home therapies, suggest some of the top Canadian home dialysis nephrologists, who also review the literature.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-03-09)
Tags: Home Dialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis, Pd
Low PTH Levels a Risk Factor for Peritonitis on PD
Two hundred seventy incident PD patients over a 7-year period were divided into a low-PTH (<150 pg/mL), middle-PTH (150-300 pg/mL), and high-PTH (>300 pg/mL) groups. After follow up for 16-49 months, patients with low PTH levels had a 64% higher risk of peritonitis.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-02-09)
Tags: Peritoneal Dialysis, Pd, Parathyroid Hormone
A Better Nutritional Marker for CAPD Adequacy
Move over prealbumin, albumin, and ferritin—normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) was the only marker that correlated with CAPD adequacy in a study of 266 patients divided into an adequate (total weekly Kt/V urea >1.70) and an inadequate PD group (<1.70). Male gender, higher weight, and residual GFR <2.43 mL/min/1.73m2 were risk factors for inadequate CAPD.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-02-09)
Tags: Peritoneal Dialysis, Pd
The Better to See You With, My Dear
Would you rather have a surgeon feel where a PD catheter should go—or see what s/he is doing? Researchers tried an optical puncture system on 25 patients between 2018 and 2019, while 40 patients had routine placements. Even though more of the optical patients had prior abdominal surgeries, catheter placement took less time and had a similar rate of complications.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-02-09)
Tags: Peritoneal Dialysis, Catheter, Optical Puncture System
Choosing Home Dialysis Does Not Mean Getting It
A retrospective, single-center study that followed 167 patients referred for CKD education in 2019 through 2020 found that just 23% chose standard in-center HD—74% chose home, and the remaining 3% were undecided. But, with 90% of patients living in New York City with limited space, and a clinic requirement that a trained care partner be present for all treatments, 56% of the in-center HD patients had chosen a home treatment. (Hint: Stop requiring a care partner!)
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-02-09)
Tags: Home Dialysis, Home Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis, Pd
Chevron and Butterfly Taping Reduces Venous Needle Dislodgement in HD
Every clinic seems to have its own preferred method of taping HD needles to prevent dislodgement. This important new study tested Chevron, Butterfly and Overlapping tape patterns in a mechanical engineering laboratory to measure the adhesive force and ability to withstand dislodgement and lateral stress.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-01-12)
Tags: Dialysis, Hemodialysis
Will Silicone Be the Future of HD Membranes?
Silicone nanoporous membranes (SNMs) have an average pore size of 8 nanometers. Tested with urea and creatinine, the new material was able to clear about 81% of high concentration uremic toxins in 45 minutes. This material could make more compact and portable dialysis systems possible.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-01-12)
Tags: Silanization, Silicon Nanoporous
Yet Another Study Demonstrates the Superiority of Home HD over In-Center
A cohort registry study matched 181 home HD patients with 413 in-center HD patients in Australia and New Zealand by age, gender, and cause of ESKD. After adjusting for BMI, smoking, race, and comorbidities, home HD had almost half the death risk of in-center HD, as well as significantly lower phosphate levels. Both groups had similar rates of transplant and graft survival 6 months after a transplant.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-01-12)
New Xylitol-based PD Fluid with L-Carnitine May be More Biocompatible
It is ironic that the glucose-based fluid that made PD possible can also harm the membrane so it stops working. A new PD fluid uses xylitol and l-carnitine to remove water instead of glucose. When tested on human cells, the new fluid kept more cells alive and reduced inflammation.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-01-12)