Nephrology
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Comparative Study
Effect of ultra-low dose and standard heparin locks on early tunnelled dialysis catheter outcomes in low-risk dialysis patients.
Initial heparin locks instilled after tunnelled dialysis catheter (TDC) insertion can leak causing systemic anticoagulation and also promote staphyloccocal biofilm formation, predisposing to catheter-related infection (CRI). The 1000 U/mL concentration is thus advocated as the optimal dose for preventing catheter bleeding and malfunction. The effect of lower heparin concentrations on further lowering these complications is not known. We compared early TDC outcomes between a non-standard ultra-low (500 U/mL) and standard initial heparin locks (1000 and 5000 U/mL). ⋯ Immediate TDC bleeding, malfunction and CRI rate are not influenced by heparin lock concentrations ≤5000 U/mL in this low-risk cohort. However this needs to be corroborated in higher risk patients.
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Letter Case Reports
Severe linezolid-induced lactic acidosis in a cirrhosis patient.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Triple immunosuppressive therapy in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome children with tacrolimus resistance or tacrolimus sensitivity but frequently relapsing.
The treatment strategy for steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome remains uncertain at present, especially in those with calcineurin inhibitor resistance or intolerance. To date, few studies have been published using multiple combination therapy of immunosuppressive reagents for children with calcineurin inhibitor-resistant or -intolerant nephrotic syndrome. ⋯ Triple-combination therapy with Pre + TAC + CTX/MMF/LEF is effective for short-term response and 1 year remission, without significant additional side-effects seen in children with steroid-resistant and tacrolimus-resistant or tacrolimus-sensitive but frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome. Further study for evaluating long-term efficacy and safety of triple-combination therapy with Pre + TAC + CTX/MMF/LEF would be necessary for these patients.
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Review Meta Analysis
Effect of preoperative statin therapy on postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing major surgery: systemic review and meta-analysis.
We aimed to examine the association between preoperative use of statins and postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major surgery by performing a systemic review and meta-analysis. MEDLINE and EMBASE, from inception to April 2013, and the reference lists of related articles were searched for relevant studies. Trials comparing preoperative statin therapy with no preoperative statin in patients undergoing major surgery were included. ⋯ In patients undergoing major surgery, preoperative statin therapy could associate with a reduced risk for postoperative AKI. However, considerable heterogeneity existed among included studies. Future randomized trials were warranted for this critical clinical question.
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People with chronic kidney disease have a shortened life expectancy and carry a high symptom burden. Research suggests that attending to renal patients' spiritual needs may contribute to an improvement in their quality of life. The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate the provision of spiritual care in New Zealand renal units from the perspective of specialists. ⋯ Most participants indicated they would attempt to provide some form of spiritual care, either directly or by referring the patient to appropriate services. However, participants generally demonstrated a lack of confidence in addressing a patient's spiritual needs.