Green dialysis – reducing energy use and landfill space

Worldwide, dialysis uses an estimated 156 billion liters of water per year, 1.62 billion kilowatt hours of power, and generates 625,000 tons of plastic waste. Our own Dr. John Agar suggests ways to reduce the carbon footprint of dialysis through water conservation, solar power, and other ideas.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-12-22)

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Nocturnal HD protects arteries

In a year-long study, 60 people on standard in-center HD were compared to a similar group of 60 people on 8-hour nocturnal HD three nights per week. The nocturnal group needed fewer blood pressure medications and had lower serum phosphorus and calcium-phosphorus products. Their arteries were less stiff than those of people doing standard in-center HD.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-12-22)

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Mupirocin beats polysporin triple ointment (P3) for preventing PD catheter infections

In an 18-month long randomized, controlled study, twice as many patients had redness at the PD catheter exit site and more fungal infections occurred in those using P3 than mupirocin.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-12-22)

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Longer life on PD with statins

A study from Korea has found that people on PD who were prescribed statin drugs (used for high cholesterol) had a 41% lower risk of death than those who were not given statins. The effect held true for people who had diabetes as well. Future randomized, controlled studies are suggested.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-12-22)

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Pregnancy and more dialysis

In general, pregnancy is uncommon in women with ESRD. But more dialysis seems to improve pregnancy outcomes. This review article addresses fertility issues, pregnancy, and suggestions for how to manage dialysis in pregnant women.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-12-22)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

Cycler PD done longer than manual PD

Among 179 people doing CAPD and 441 using cyclers, survival and the rates of loss of residual kidney function and peritonitis were about the same. But technique survival was significantly better among those who used a cycler.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-12-22)

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International practice patterns for "non-conventional" HD

311 nephrologists from around the world took part in an online survey about use of HD options other than standard in-center. Among the respondents, 62.4% used "non-conventional" options: 26.7% used nocturnal HD, 34.4% used short daily HD, and 26% used long standard treatments.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-12-22)

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HD offers better survival than PD for congestive heart failure

A study of 933 people with CHF on PD and 3468 on HD in the French dialysis registry found that for people with congestive heart failure, HD is a safer choice. The risk of death with PD was 48% higher.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-12-22)

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Normalizing "unphysiology" with longer and/or more frequent HD

Studies of intensified HD regimens have found superior results to standard in-center HD, including better cardiac outcomes. This review article surveys the evidence that supports the hypothesis that more physiologic dialysis leads to better outcomes.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-12-22)

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Protein intake improves after a switch from standard to nocturnal HD

After 8 months of nocturnal HD, 15 people who switched from standard in-center HD had significantly higher protein intake. Their phosphate intake rose as well—but their serum phosphate levels did not, even without binders.

Read the abstract » | (added 2011-11-28)

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