American journal of nephrology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Prevention of acute kidney injury by erythropoietin in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting: a pilot study.
Depending on the specific definition, acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 7-40% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Even small changes in serum creatinine (SCr) levels are associated with increased mortality after cardiac surgery. However, there are no current methods for preventing AKI after cardiac surgery. Erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to elicit tissue-protective effects in various experimental models. In this pilot trial, we evaluated the effectiveness of EPO in the prevention of AKI after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). ⋯ In our small, pilot trial, prophylactic administration of EPO prevents AKI and improves postoperative renal function. These data are preliminary and require confirmation in a larger clinical trial.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Predictors of hyperkalemia risk following hypertension control with aldosterone blockade.
Aldosterone antagonists have proven efficacy for management of resistant hypertension and proteinuria reduction; however, they are not widely used due to risk of hyperkalemia. This study assesses the risk factors for hyperkalemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and resistant hypertension whose blood pressure (BP) is reduced to a guideline goal. ⋯ Aldosterone antagonism is effective and safe for achieving a BP goal among people with diabetic nephropathy when added to a triple antihypertensive regimen that includes a blocker of the renin-angiotensin system and an appropriately selected and dosed diuretic. Caution is advised when using aldosterone blockade for BP control in people with advanced stage 3 nephropathy with a serum potassium of >4.5 mEq/l for safety reasons.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The selective vitamin D receptor activator for albuminuria lowering (VITAL) study: study design and baseline characteristics.
Patients with diabetic nephropathy are at high risk for further progressive renal function loss. Treatments that decrease albuminuria have been linked with renal and cardiovascular protection. However, even when taking optimal treatment, residual renal and cardiovascular risk remains high which correlates with the magnitude of residual albuminuria. Use of vitamin D receptor activators, such as calcitriol and paricalcitol, is associated with improved sur- vival. A small study with paricalcitol showed reductions in albuminuria. The VITAL study tests the hypothesis whether paricalcitol persistently reduces albuminuria in diabetic subjects already receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and/or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy. ⋯ This trial will be the first clinical test of the hypothesis that paricalcitol possesses pleiotropic effects and can modulate albuminuria in the setting of ACEI and/or ARB therapy. Results will have important clinical implications and are expected in November 2009.
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Comparative Study
Rate of kidney function decline in older adults: a comparison using creatinine and cystatin C.
The aim of this study was to determine the decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in elderly persons and to compare estimates based on creatinine and cystatin C. ⋯ In elderly persons, cystatin C estimated substantially larger declines in kidney function than creatinine did. Defining the optimal measurement of kidney function in elderly persons should be a high priority for future research.
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Reduced circadian variation in blood pressure (BP) has been associated with cardiovascular morbidity, mortality and accelerated progression of kidney disease, but its independent prognostic value remains unknown. ⋯ Among elderly veterans with or without CKD, circadian variation in BP is associated with mortality, but not ESRD. However, after accounting for common clinical risk factors, this association of circadian BP variation with mortality or ESRD is abolished.