Journal Watch
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Pipeline PD technology: Vincenza wearable artificial kidney minicycler
What if instead of exchanging bags of fluid for CAPD, you put in one fresh bag each morning, then wore a small pump to filter and regenerate it over and over? You'd save time—and use a lot less fluid. This system, invented by Dr. Claudio Ronco and associates in Italy, is being tested right now.
Read the abstract » | (added 02/24/2011)
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Access-challenged people on HD have a new HeRO
Running out of vascular access sites is no laughing matter. A new fully-implantable dialysis catheter helps solve the infection risk that occurs when a catheter goes through the skin and into a central vein. In a new study of 36 people, the Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) had infection rates similar to grafts.
Read the abstract » | (added 02/24/2011)
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Tidal PD preserves residual kidney function longer
In tidal PD, instead of draining ALL of the fluid out after an exchange, some fluid is always left in the peritoneum. A new, small study suggests that this technique may allow longer use of PD by helping to preserve residual kidney function. After 3 years, 10 dialyzors using tidal PD had significantly higher renal creatinine clearance and urine output than 19 automated PD users.
Read the abstract » | (added 02/24/2011)
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Straight talk: Improve CKD outcomes by prescribing better dialysis
Longer or more-frequent treatments, better access choices, ultrapure water, and better removal of fluid and toxic middle molecules could improve survival on dialysis, say researchers.
Read the abstract » | (added 02/24/2011)
Tags: Chronic Kidney Disease
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Better CKD care saves lives
People who met targets for access, hemoglobin, and blood protein levels before starting dialysis were far more likely to survive the first year, finds a new study of 192,307 patients. But just 2% met all three goals—even when they'd been seeing a nephrologist for a year.
Read the abstract » | (added 02/24/2011)
Tags: Chronic Kidney Disease
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Give me a D!
No, it's not your grade in math. A new study has found that deficiency of vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) is present in 79% of people on dialysis—especially if they start treatment in the winter. Too-low levels have been linked to bone and heart disease. Ask your doctor if your levels are where they should be.
Read the abstract » | (added 02/24/2011)
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People want treatments that offer FREEDOM
A new study interviewed 52 people who were on one of 4 types of dialysis or had a transplant—and learned that "freedom, convenience, self-care, effectiveness, and simplicity" were important. (We could have told you that.)
Read the abstract » | (added 02/24/2011)
Tags: Chronic Kidney Disease
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Need high doses of EPO? Might want to check for CMV
A new study from the Netherlands has found that people who have ESRD and have been exposed to the cytomegalovirus (CMV) have immune changes. With fewer working T-cells, they can't respond as well to anemia drugs.
Read the abstract » | (added 02/24/2011)
Tags: Chronic Kidney Disease
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Need an MRI? Ask for NAC + bicarb
MRI contrast dye can damage kidneys. A new meta-analysis (study of studies) has found that two approaches are better than one in preventing this damage. N-acetylcystein (NAC, or Mucomyst®) plus bicarbonate-based IV fluid reduced the risk of damage by 35%. The authors say this combo treatment should be used for all high-risk patients—including those with CKD.
Read the abstract » | (added 02/24/2011)
Tags: Chronic Kidney Disease
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CKD education saves lives
A new study from Taiwan found that people who got CKD education were about 3 times less likely to need dialysis during the study period (about a year), and more than 5 times more likely to live than a control group that did not receive the education.
Read the abstract » | (added 02/24/2011)
Tags: Chronic Kidney Disease