Bmc Nephrol
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Chronic kidney disease of unknown origin (CKDu) in Sri Lanka is grouped with several other epidemics of similar nature across the world as Chronic Interstitial Nephritis in Agricultural Communities (CINAC). In CKDu endemic countries, the focus has mainly been on adults. We hypothesized that studying distribution and factors associated with elevated urine albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR), an early marker of kidney injury, among children living in a CKDu endemic area may provide important clues about the onset and progression of the disease. ⋯ This study provides evidence to suggest that children in CKDu endemic regions are having an early renal damage. This observation needs to be investigated further in order to understand the worldwide epidemic of CKDu.
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Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common post-cardiac surgery complication and influences patient morbidity and prognosis. This study was designed to identify preoperative candidate urine biomarkers in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. ⋯ Pre-operative urine measurement of CFB or HRG significantly enhanced the current post-surgery AKI risk stratification for more restrictive definition of AKI. HRG, but not CFB or clinical risk stratification, predicted AKI defined by KDIGO. The ability of these biomarkers to predict risk for dialysis-requiring AKI or death could not be reliably assessed in our study due to a small number of patients with either outcome.
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Observational Study
Body weight definitions for evaluating a urinary diagnosis of acute kidney injury in patients with sepsis.
We hypothesized that the use of actual body weight might lead to more frequent misdiagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) than when ideal body weight is used in underweight and/or obese patients. We examined which definition of body weight is most effective in establishing a urinary diagnosis of AKI in septic patients. ⋯ Generally, using actual body weight to calculate the weight-adjusted hourly urine output for diagnosing AKI increased the sensitivity compared to ideal body weight, irrespective of the severity of illness in septic patients. Delayed diagnosis, however, was more common among underweight patients in this situation, and clinicians should be cautious when diagnosing urinary AKI using actual body weight.
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Comparative Study
A novel citrate-based protocol versus heparin anticoagulation for sustained low-efficiency dialysis in the ICU: safety, efficacy, and cost.
The high cost, complexity of the available protocols, and metabolic complications are the major barriers that impede the clinical utilization of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) for sustained low efficiency dialysis (SLED) in critically ill patients. By comparing a novel protocol for SLED using 30% citrate solution with common protocol using unfractionated heparin, this study aimed to provide new insights for clinical applications of RCA. ⋯ Our results indicated that anticoagulation regimens for SLED did not significantly affect the mortality of patients. Citrate anticoagulation was superior to heparin in preventing severe bleeding and circuit clotting. The protocol adopted in this study using 30% citrate solution was safe as well as efficacious. In the meantime, it was much more cost-efficient than other citrate-based protocol.
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Metformin associated lactic acidosis (MALA) is a well-known serious side effect of biguanides. However, the best treatment strategy remains a matter of debate. In the last 14 years, we observed a significant increase in hospitalizations for MALA to our Center. We report the outcomes of our clinical and therapeutic approach. ⋯ We report an improved mortality rate in patients affected with MALA and acute kidney injury treated with SLED compared with other series published in literature. Rapid introduction of effective hemodialysis is critical in improving outcomes.