NxStage and 2008K@Home Head-to-Head

Compared to NxStage users, those who dialyzed on a 2008K@Home did fewer treatments per week but had significantly higher standardized weekly Kt/V’s. NxStage users tended to use less ESA medication. No differences were found in other parameters, including levels of albumin, calcium, phosphorus, PTH, or in hospital stays.

Read the abstract » | (added 2016-01-10)

Tags: Hemodialysis

CT Scans Can Help Find Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis

Finding EPS early can make treatment of this devastating problem more successful. This study had experienced radiologists look at CT scan results from 18 people with confirmed EPS and 26 matched controls with it. The radiologists were blinded to who had the disorder. Peritoneal thickening, calcification, and other findings were more common in the EPS group. Some radiologists were better than others at detecting the differences that suggested EPS.

Read the abstract » | (added 2016-01-10)

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Using Plant-Protectant Resveratrol to Preserve the Peritoneum

Resveratrol is a phenol found in the skins of grapes and some berries that can help keep blood vessels from growing to support tumors. A new prospective, randomized, controlled, double blind study looked at its use to keep blood vessels from growing in the peritoneum, which can cause PD technique failure. Participants (n=72) were given 12 weeks of low- or high-dose resveratrol or placebo. Those who received a high dose of resveratrol had significantly better ultrafiltration.

Read the abstract » | (added 2016-01-10)

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Nanomembranes for Miniature HD

Dialyzors with membranes that are more permeable could be much smaller—in fact, small enough for wearable dialysis. Ultra-thin silicon may be a candidate, and a prototype miniature membrane is predicted to clear toxins at “near-ideal levels.”

Read the abstract » | (added 2016-01-10)

Tags: Hemodialysis

Anxiety, Depression, and PD Technique Survival

Among 201 PD patients, those whose testing revealed higher levels of anxiety were more likely to die or to switch to another option than those with lower levels. Other predictors included needing help from a care partner, comorbidities, and low albumin levels.

Read the abstract » | (added 2016-01-10)

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PD After Loss of Residual Kidney Failure

Once residual kidney function is gone, it is vital to address fluid volume, finds a new study that followed 183 people. During the 10.5-36 months of follow up, 65% either switched to HD or died. Their inflammation rates (measured by C-reactive protein levels) were high, as were their extracellular water levels (measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis).

Read the abstract » | (added 2016-01-10)

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Buttonhole Cannulation Does NOT Raise Infection Risk—at Satellite

AVF infection rates were examined among 162 patients from 1990 through 2012, which represents a changeover from rope ladder cannulation (1990-1998) to the Buttonhole technique (1998 onward). The difference in infection rates between the two techniques was not significant. Recurrence of AVF-infection was found only during time 2.

Read the abstract » | (added 2015-12-10)

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Gentamycin Ointment For PD Exit Sites Did Not Increase Antibiotic Resistance

A review compared 10 years PD exit-site care using oral rifampin and mupirocin ointment (n=265) with 10 years of gentamycin cream (n=179). While the demographics were largely similar apart from race, there were significantly fewer gram-negative exit site infections using gentamycin, with very low rates of gentamycin resistant infections in either period.

Read the abstract » | (added 2015-12-10)

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Liraglutide Has Multiple Benefits in People with Diabetes on PD

In a small study, injectable liraglutide was tested in 16 people with type 2 diabetes who use PD, 11 of whom were previously on insulin, while three used oral medications and two controlled their blood sugar using diet alone. After 12 months, glucose fluctuations were reduced, post-meal blood sugars were lower, systolic blood pressure dropped—and left ventricular mass decreased (on echocardiogram).

Read the abstract » | (added 2015-12-10)

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RCT of Self-Locating PD Catheter Finds Fewer Flow Problems

Coiled or straight, Tenckhoff catheters often clog. A new small trial randomized 61 people to receive a straight Tenckhoff (n=32) or a new, self-locating Wolfram PD catheter (n=29) for urgent start PD. Seven of the Tenckhoff’s had to be swapped for Wolframs due to flow issues—but the reverse was not true.

Read the abstract » | (added 2015-12-10)

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