Current opinion in nephrology and hypertension
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Curr. Opin. Nephrol. Hypertens. · Nov 2008
ReviewTriumph and tragedy: anemia management in chronic kidney disease.
Recent trial data have resulted in a reevaluation of the management of anemia in chronic kidney disease, including the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, intravenous iron, and novel pharmaceuticals. In this review, we evaluate the latest research on anemia management in chronic kidney disease. ⋯ Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents should be used to target hemoglobin 11-12 g/dl in patients with chronic kidney disease. Intravenous iron may be beneficial for patients with hemoglobin less than 11 g/dl and transferrin saturation less than 25% despite elevated ferritin (500-1200 ng/ml). An upcoming placebo-controlled trial of darbepoetin should help to define the role of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in chronic kidney disease.
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Curr. Opin. Nephrol. Hypertens. · Nov 2008
ReviewAssessment and significance of arterial stiffness in patients with chronic kidney disease.
To review the most recent publications concerning the pathophysiology and clinical impact of arterial stiffening in patients with chronic kidney disease and those with end-stage renal disease. ⋯ Arterial stiffness and intensity of wave reflections are considered the principal determinants of systolic blood and pulse pressures, and their measurements are increasingly used to assess cardiovascular risk. Aortic stiffness has independent predictive value for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in general populations and in patients with end-stage renal disease. Arterial stiffening in patients with chronic kidney disease and those with end-stage renal disease is of multifactorial origin with extensive arterial calcifications representing a major covariate. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity is a direct measure of aortic stiffness and is the 'gold standard' for its evaluation in clinical and epidemiological studies.
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Curr. Opin. Nephrol. Hypertens. · Nov 2008
ReviewPredicting and preventing acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the proliferation of predictive clinical scoring models of renal risk after cardiac surgery, limitations in preventing AKI through the use of pharmacological agents remain. Here we review the evolution of predictive models of renal risk after cardiac surgery, and highlight the important gains made in preventing its occurrence. ⋯ Clinical scoring systems predicting AKI risk after cardiac surgery are available and should be employed in the preoperative assessment. Elucidation of beneficial preventive strategies of AKI after cardiac surgery requires ongoing research.