Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association
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Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. · Mar 2006
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyPractice patterns in the management of acute renal failure in the critically ill patient: an international survey.
Several controversies have developed over acute renal failure (ARF) definition and treatment: which approach to patient care is most desirable and which form of renal replacement therapy (RRT) should be applied is an everyday matter of debate. There is also disagreement on clinical practice for RRT including the best timing to start, vascular access, anti-coagulation, membranes, equipment and finally, if continuous or intermittent techniques should be preferred. In this lack of harmony, the epidemiology of ARF has recently displayed an outbreak of cases in the intensive care units and nephrologists and intensivists are now called to work together in the case of such a syndrome. ⋯ New classifications such as RIFLE criteria might improve well-known uncertainty about ARF definition. Different RRT techniques are available in most centres, but a general lack of treatment dose standardization is noted by our survey. Non-renal indications to RRT still need to find a definitive role in routine practice.
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Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. · Feb 2006
Effect of haemodialysis on signal-averaged electrocardiogram P-wave parameters.
The P-wave signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) is a non-invasive technique considered to indicate an increased risk for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of the haemodialysis (HD) process on SAECG parameters in the group of selected HD patients. ⋯ Our study revealed that P-wave SAECG parameters are abnormal in a significant portion of HD patients and improved with HD process. We have also demonstrated that patients' age, volume status as well as the presence of anaemia are important factors influencing P-wave SAECG parameters in HD patients.
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Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. · Feb 2006
Erythropoietin attenuates renal injury in experimental acute renal failure ischaemic/reperfusion model.
Erythropoietin (EPO), originally identified for its critical role in promoting erythrocyte survival and differentiation, has been shown to exert multiple paracrine/autocrine functions. Protective effects of EPO have been demonstrated in various tissues and experimental models of ischaemia-induced injury. In the present study, we investigated the effect of EPO on an in vivo rat model of renal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and the possible mechanisms implicated in the EPO-mediated anti-apoptotic action. ⋯ Administration of EPO as a single dose before the onset of ischaemia produced a significant reduction in tubular injury, which was accompanied by a marked amelioration of renal functional impairment. The cytoprotective action of EPO against I/R injury seems to be associated with its anti-apoptotic action. Moreover, transcription factor NF-kappaB is likely to play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of I/R renal injury and might have a key role in EPO-mediated protective effects.