Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association
-
Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. · Oct 2003
Comparative StudyPrediction of time-averaged concentration of haemoglobin in haemodialysis patients.
Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration is not stable in most haemodialysis patients due to ultrafiltration-induced haemoconcentration. Pre-dialysis Hb concentrations might therefore significantly deviate from the time-averaged concentration (Hb-tac) which is more likely to represent the patients 'true' Hb. This study was performed to quantify these differences in our chronic haemodialysis population and to develop a formula for prediction of Hb-tac. ⋯ Hb-tac can be predicted from pre- and post-dialysis blood samples after the short interval, using a simple new formula. Because Hb-tac more reliably reflects a 'true' Hb level of haemodialysis patients, it represents a potentially useful tool for future scientific and clinical work.
-
Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. · Oct 2003
Comparative StudyPrognosis in proliferative lupus nephritis: the role of socio-economic status and race/ethnicity.
Studies of proliferative lupus nephritis (PLN) suggest that African-Americans have a poorer prognosis than Whites. However, no study has simultaneously examined socio-economic status. We studied rates of progression of PLN among a tri-ethnic population with respect to socio-economic status and race/ethnicity. ⋯ Poverty is an important risk factor for progression of PLN, independent of race/ethnicity. Hispanics have an elevated risk similar to or greater than African-Americans. Given these findings, some of the poorer prognosis of African-American patients with PLN may result from socio-economic rather than biological or genetic factors.
-
Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. · Oct 2003
Comparative StudyOptimal anticoagulation strategy in haemodialysis with heparin-coated polyacrylonitrile membrane.
Binding of polycationic unfractionated heparin onto the modified AN69 polyacrylonitrile membrane, whose surface electronegativity has been neutralized by layering polyethyleneimine (AN69ST), produces stable coating. We investigated whether the heparin-coated membrane was suitable for regular haemodialysis with low heparin doses. ⋯ During the rinsing phase, the ionic interactions between the new AN69ST polyacrylonitrile membrane and unfractionated heparin induce stable heparin coating. This allows a significant reduction of systemic anticoagulant requirements without increasing the risk of clotting, both in the experimental setting and in the chronic haemodialysis patients. Further studies are required to assess this advantage in patients with acute renal failure and at risk of bleeding and to reduce the metabolic consequences of long-term treatment with heparin.