Journal of nephrology
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Journal of nephrology · Sep 2011
ReviewDo HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors improve kidney function? The saga continues.
Several reviews have addressed the role of dyslipidemia in renal injury and the potential renal protective effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins). Experimental evidence in animals strongly supports the concept that statins may be renal protective. ⋯ A recent controlled study using rosuvastatin has cast some doubts on the renal protective effect of this drug. This article reviews the available evidence pro and con the renal protective effects of statins in human subjects.
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Journal of nephrology · Sep 2011
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialIron isomaltoside 1000: a new intravenous iron for treating iron deficiency in chronic kidney disease.
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often suffer from iron deficiency anemia necessitating treatment with intravenous iron. This study was designed to assess the safety of iron isomaltoside 1000 (Monofer) in CKD patients. The secondary objective was to assess its effect on iron deficiency anemia. ⋯ Iron isomaltoside 1000 was clinically well tolerated, safe and effective. This new intravenous iron may offer a further valuable choice in treating the anemia of CKD.
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Journal of nephrology · Sep 2011
ReviewAcute kidney injury in pregnancy: the thrombotic microangiopathies.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a rare but serious complication of pregnancy. Although prerenal and ischemic causes of AKI are most common, renal insufficiency can complicate several other pregnancy-specific conditions. ⋯ It is imperative to distinguish these conditions to make appropriate therapeutic decisions which can be lifesaving for the mother and fetus. Typically AFLP and HELLP improve after delivery of the fetus, whereas plasma exchange is the first-line treatment for TTP.
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Journal of nephrology · Sep 2011
What causes an improved safety climate among the staff of a dialysis unit? Report of an evaluation in a large network.
Clinical staff's safety perception is considered an important indicator of the implementation level of safety climate and safety culture. For this purpose, the Safety Climate Survey Questionnaire was submitted to the dialysis clinics staff of the Fresenius Medical Care (FME) network in Italy. Moreover, to explore how standard procedures implementation influences staff opinion of safety levels, the Universal Hygiene Precautions Questionnaire was also submitted. ⋯ A relatively high value for Safety Climate was evaluated within the FME network of Italian dialysis clinics. Management showed higher Safety Climate scores than frontline staff. Fostering communication and implementation of training programs are considered valid tools to improve safety.