Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association
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Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. · May 2008
Hypernatraemia in critically ill patients: too little water and too much salt.
Our objective was to study the risk factors and mechanisms of hypernatraemia in critically ill patients, a common and potentially serious problem. ⋯ Hypernatraemia seems to develop in the ICU because various factors promote renal water loss, which is then corrected with too little water or overcorrected with relatively hypertonic fluids. Therapy should therefore rely on adding electrolyte-free water and/or creating a negative sodium balance. Adjustments in intravenous fluid regimens may prevent hypernatraemia.
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Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. · May 2008
Meta AnalysisPreventing haemodialysis catheter-related bacteraemia with an antimicrobial lock solution: a meta-analysis of prospective randomized trials.
Catheter-related bacteraemia (CRB) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in haemodialysis patients. Interdialytic locking of catheters with antimicrobial agents has recently been investigated for the prevention of CRB. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to determine the efficacy of antimicrobial lock solutions (ALS) in the prevention of CRB in haemodialysis patients. ⋯ The use of ALS reduces by about a factor 3 the risk of CRB in haemodialysis patients. The achieved absolute incidence is similar to the best-published figures (presumably related to stricter hygienic measures). The limited follow-up of the studies does not exclude the onset of adverse events or bacterial resistance with longer use of ALS.
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Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. · May 2008
Multicenter Study Comparative StudyA comparison of the RIFLE and AKIN criteria for acute kidney injury in critically ill patients.
The Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative Group has published a consensus definition/classification system for acute kidney injury (AKI) termed the RIFLE criteria. The Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) group has recently proposed modifications to this system. It is currently unknown whether there are advantages between these criteria. ⋯ Compared to the RIFLE criteria, the AKIN criteria do not materially improve the sensitivity, robustness and predictive ability of the definition and classification of AKI in the first 24 h after admission to ICU.
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Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. · May 2008
Human recombinant erythropoietin augments serum asymmetric dimethylarginine concentrations but does not compromise nitric oxide generation in mice.
Patients with advanced chronic renal disease (CRD) suffer from excessive morbidity and mortality due to complications of accelerated atherosclerosis. Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), which is routinely used to treat the anaemia present in approximately 90% of dialysis-dependent patients with end-stage renal disease, may induce vascular dysfunction by reducing nitric oxide (NO) availability. Pathophysiologic concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), are found in patients with CRD and correlate with vascular disease and cardiovascular mortality. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of EPO on ADMA concentrations and NO generation in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we wanted to study the effect of EPO on the expression of the enzymes that regulate ADMA metabolism and NO generation. ⋯ In spite of elevating serum ADMA concentrations, EPO does not appear to compromise overall NO generation in Balb/c mice.