Journal Watch
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Switch from standard to nocturnal in-center HD reduces left ventricular mass
Among 37 people in the UK who switched from standard in-center HD to 3x/week nocturnal in-center HD, echocardiograms showed significant drops in left ventricular mass after 12 months. This is a good sign that their hearts are healthier and they may live longer.
Read the abstract » | (added 2012-01-26)
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Antibiotic ointment reduces PD exit site infections, but not peritonitis
Researchers studied 1,270 people who used mupirocin ointment on their PD catheters, 502 used gentamycin, and 1,203 did not use an antibiotic ointment. While the ointments helped prevent exit site infections, they did not reduce the rate of peritonitis.
Read the abstract » | (added 2012-01-26)
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Arterial stiffness is equally high in PD and standard in-center HD
Arteries are supposed to be flexible. In a study of 35 people on PD and 26 doing standard HD, both groups had equally stiff arteries that were more rigid than those of the general public.
Read the abstract » | (added 2012-01-26)
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Coiled vs. straight PD catheters—is one better than the other?
Researchers in China randomly assigned 80 people doing PD to a straight or a coiled catheter and looked at results from an 493 more people on PD. No differences were found in migration of the catheter tips, catheter failure, infection, stopping PD, or death between the two types of catheters. In the larger analysis, coiled catheters had far more problems than straight ones.
Read the abstract » | (added 2012-01-26)
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Green dialysis: using solar power for HD
Our own Dr. John Agar and other researchers from Australia report on their experience using the sun to power a dialysis clinic and reduce electricity costs by 76.5% In the second and third decades, the new system will pay for itself and contribute power to the grid.
Read the abstract » | (added 2012-01-26)
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Home HD costs in Canada
Learn the costs of standard in-center HD vs. short daily and nocturnal in this new review article. (Home costs less!)
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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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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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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More home HD in Australia and New Zealand—because doctors believe in it
In contrast to the rest of the world, Australia and New Zealand have an average of 12.9% of patients using home HD. Why? Because nephrologists, nurses, and funding agencies hold strong beliefs in the clinical and economic benefits of this option.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-12-22)
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