Journal watch

Alternate-night HD improves bone minerals & blood pressure

Among 63 people in Australia who switched from standard HD to alternate-night HD, bone mineral balance and blood pressure improved after 18–24 months. Left ventricular mass did not improve, but remained stable.

Read more | (added Nov 28, 2011)

Working fistula rate doubled with procedures

Are repeated fistula procedures worth it? Yes, says a new study of 294 people who had 347 fistulas made, with 736 procedures between them. While only 36.8% of fistulas were working on their own after 2 years, 77.8% were working 2 years later after procedures to fix them. (One patient had 11 interventions.)

Read more | (added Nov 28, 2011)

Urgent-start PD is feasible with a plan

In this small study, 9 people who had an urgent start for PD were compared to 9 people who started PD with more time. A standard protocol was written to support urgent start PD. After 90 days, both groups were doing equally well.

Read more | (added Nov 28, 2011)

Yes, PD can be done with diabetes

PD is gentle on the blood vessels. With use of icodextrin and other steps to optimize glucose and volume control, it can be a good option for those with diabetes.

Read more | (added Nov 28, 2011)

Eating more protein linked with longer life on PD

In a study of 305 people on PD, those who ate the most protein (≥0.94 g/kg/day) were stronger and at less risk for heart disease, peritonitis, and death than those who ate the less.

Read more | (added Nov 28, 2011)

Implantable artificial kidney—progress

Three key bits of technology are needed to make an implantable artificial kidney possible: high efficiency membranes to remove water, a way to keep blood from clotting, and a way to mimic the selective action of kidney cells for removing wastes. Progress is occurring in each area.

Antioxidant improves residual kidney function in PD

Four weeks of twice-daily oral N-acetylcysteine, an antioxidant, significantly increased residual kidney function of people on PD in a small study (n=10).

Home dialysis boosts patient employment in Finland

A new study looked at employment results among 2,637 people ages 15 to 64 on dialysis or with kidney transplants in Finland. While just 19% of those on standard in-center HD were working, 39% of those on home HD, 40% of those with working transplants, and 44% on cycler PD were employed.

A new look at dialysis treatment length

There is increasing proof that dialysis treatments shorter than 4 hours are not long enough. A new paper reviews the literature knowing what we know now—and concludes that most people should get at least 4 hours per treatment.

U.S. barriers to home dialysis treatments

Home dialysis is underused in the U.S., and a committee of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis has looked at why that may be. The group organized the barriers into three groups: educational, government/regulatory, and dialysis practice, and is looking at strategies to address each.

Our sponsors

Home Dialysis Central is made possible through the generous annual contributions of our Corporate Sponsors. Learn more about becoming a Corporate Sponsor.