PD in older patients

This study from Ireland looked at 148 people over age 50 who started PD between 1998 and 2008. The mean age was 63; most were over 70. The researchers found no difference in survival or technique survival by age, though older people did need a longer hospital stay to get started on PD.

Read the abstract » | (added 2012-08-16)

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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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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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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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Pregnancy and HD: More is better (Review)

It is harder for women with ESRD to become pregnant and to carry healthy babies to term. Careful team follow up and more intensive dialysis have been shown to improve pregnancy outcomes. This article reviews fertility issues in young women with ESRD, pregnancy outcomes, and management suggestions.

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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Alternate night nocturnal HD in Australia

Every other night nocturnal HD is a popular option in Australia. Patients who use this option have lower phosphorus levels and better volume control and well-being—at about the same cost as standard in-center HD.

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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