Journal Watch
PD fluid with amino acids may help prevent malnutrition—and improve heart health
Basing PD fluid on amino acids (AA') instead of glucose may improve nutrition on PD in the future. A new study switched 13 non-diabetic PD patients from glucose to AA-based fluid. Uptake of amino acids by the skeletal muscles was significantly better with the AA fluid (read more here). Another study of AA-based PD fluid found it less likely than glucose-based fluid to cause release of hormones (leptin and adipnectin) linked with heart problems.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)
Longer survival on PD with ACE-inhibitors or ARBs
Even if blood pressure is normal, taking blood pressure pills in the ACE-inhibitor or ARB class was linked with much better survival in a new study. Researchers studied 306 new PD users from 2001 to 2005. Even adjusting for age, blood pressure, and other illnesses, those who took the BP pills had a 62% lower risk of death.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)
Matching home dialysis to lifestyle
A "continuum home program concept" described in a new article would help people with kidney failure continue their lifestyles with dialysis—rather than disrupt them with treatment. The aim is for a continuous flow of services from education to treatment choice, dialysis access, and option changes when needed.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)
Protect the peritoneal membrane to do PD longer
A new review article suggests replacing some glucose-based dialysate exchanges with icodextrin, resting the peritoneum, using bicarbonate or pyruvate as a buffer, and treating infections immediately as ways to help protect the peritoneal membrane.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)
C-reactive protein may help identify those at greater risk of post-peritonitis problems
People with higher CRP levels during and after peritonitis were at higher risk for relapse, a switch to HD, or death than those with lower levels, found a study in the Feb. 14 issue of Kidney International. CRP levels may be a useful screening tool.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)
Author suggests PD for disaster preparedness
A new article in this month's Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease suggests that PD is a good option for people whose dialysis lives are disrupted by hurricanes or other natural disasters. Home dialysis with PD, portable HD, or HD machines that do their own water treatment can help make dialyzors more self-sufficient in any emergency—from a storm to a flu epidemic. It's something to think about...
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)
Low serum albumin is a risk factor for peritonitis in PD patients
On PD? Be sure to eat enough protein. A new study looked at whether conventional PD solutions were linked to more or less peritonitis than Nutrineal or Extraneal. There were no significant differences between them—but patients with serum albumin levels less than 3 g/dL were at significantly higher risk.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)
Make your own PD fluid?
Okay, it's a long way off. But what if you could make pure water at home for PD, instead of having to ship bags of PD fluid across the country? Think of the space you'd save. Researchers in Italy used a dialyzer to purify used PD fluid and create pure water.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)
Peritoneal cell transplants—a future option for PD?
Over time, glucose-based PD fluid can cause fibrosis and blood vessel changes to the peritoneal membrane, making PD impossible. But what if you could transplant the cells lining the peritoneum and grow a new layer from your own tissue? Could PD continue? Researchers are looking into this intriguing possibility.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)
Inflammation helps explain EPO resistance on PD
Sometimes high doses of EPO are needed to reach a target hemoglobin. Why? A new study found that on PD, inflammation (measured by c-reactive protein), too-low levels of serum albumin, and abnormal levels of PTH were some of the factors.
Read the abstract » | (added 2011-02-24)