Comparison of circuit patency and exchange rates between the original and generic versions of nafamostat mesylate in critically ill adults receiving continuous renal replacement therapy / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Background@#Nafamostat mesylate is widely used as an anticoagulant in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). The generic versions of nafamostat mesylate have identical main components to the original product. However, it is questionable whether the generic versions have the same efficacy as the original. Therefore, we compared the circuit patency and exchange rates of the original nafamostat mesylate and a generic version to determine which is more efficient as an anticoagulant in CRRT. @*Methods@#This retrospective study enrolled 1,255 patients hospitalized to receive CRRT who received the original version of nafamostat mesylate or a generic version between January 2010 and July 2018. We evaluated the filter lifespan, number of filters used per day, mean blood flow, and transmembrane pressure (TMP). @*Results@#The mean filter lifespan was 36.3±15.1 hours in the original product group and 22.2±16.2 hours in the generic product group, which was not a statistically significant difference (p=0.060). The mean TMP was 62.2±47.3 mmHg in the original product group and 74.5±45.6 mmHg in the generic product group (p=0.045). @*Conclusions@#This retrospective study suggests no meaningful difference in filter lifespan between the original and generic versions of nafamostat mesylate. However, TMP was lower in the original product group than in the generic product group.

The Natural Course of Total Kidney Volume in Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease undergoing Hemodialysis / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Objectives@#The natural course of native kidneys after hemodialysis initiation in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) remains poorly understood. @*Methods@#We measured the total volumes of native kidneys in 12 patients who had at least one enhanced computed tomography (CT) image both before and after initiation of hemodialysis (group 1) and in 18 patients who had no image before dialysis but more than two images after dialysis (group 2). In patients with images, the last image was used for analysis only after dialysis. @*Results@#The mean total kidney volume (TKV) (± SD) before hemodialysis initiation was 3132 ± 1413 mL and the mean TKV of the last image was 3047 ± 1323 mL in group 1. The mean TKV change rate (%) was - 5.2 ± 27.4% (P > 0.05) during follow-up of 3.9 ± 1.9 years in group 1. The mean TKV change rate was 2.8 ± 34.4% (P > 0.05) in group 2. The follow-up period after dialysis initiation ranged from 4.2 ± 4.7 to 8.0 ± 5.2 years. @*Conclusions@#The results suggest that the TKV of native polycystic kidneys decreases substantially after hemodialysis initiation. This reduction occurs mainly during the early post-hemodialysis period and followed by a slow enlargement of TKV.

The influence of hypophosphatemia on outcomes of low- and high-intensity continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the role of hypophosphatemia in major clinical outcomes of patients treated with low- or high-intensity continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of data collected from 492 patients. We divided patients into two CRRT groups based on treatment intensity (greater than or equal to or less than 40 mL/kg/hour of effluent generation) and measured serum phosphate level daily during CRRT. RESULTS: We obtained a total of 1,440 phosphate measurements on days 0, 1, and 2 and identified 39 patients (7.9%), 74 patients (15.0%), and 114 patients (23.1%) with hypophosphatemia on each of these respective days. In patients treated with low-intensity CRRT, there were 23 episodes of hypophosphatemia/1,000 patient days, compared with 83 episodes/1,000 patient days in patients who received high-intensity CRRT (P < 0.01). Multiple Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score, utilization of vasoactive drugs, and arterial pH on the second day of CRRT were significant predictors of mortality, while serum phosphate level was not a significant contributor to mortality. CONCLUSION: APACHE score, use of vasoactive drugs, and arterial pH on the second CRRT day were identified as significant predictors of mortality. Hypophosphatemia might not be a major risk factor of increased mortality in patients treated with CRRT.

Changes in Insulin Sensitivity and Lipid Profile in Renal Transplant Recipients Converted from Cyclosporine or Standard Release Tacrolimus to Once-Daily Prolonged Release Tacrolimus / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: Tacrolimus (Tac) can cause impaired insulin release and dyslipidemia, and may affect the development of post-transplant diabetes mellitus. However, these effects on insulin sensitivity and lipid profile have not been compared in renal transplant recipients receiving traditional twice-daily tacrolimus (TacBID) or cyclosporine and those receiving once-daily prolonged release formulation of tacrolimus (TacOD). METHODS: We conducted an observational prospective study of 15 stable non-diabetic renal transplant recipients to observe the changes in insulin sensitivity and lipid profiles for 1 year at a tertiary hospital. We evaluated the levels of hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, serum creatinine, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment of β-cell (HOMA-β) and HOMA-insulin resistance index at baseline and at 2 and 4 months. To analyze differences in parameters, we conducted a Wilcoxon rank sum test and general linear model (GLM)-repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) in both groups (cyclosporine to TacOD conversion group/TacBID to TacOD conversion group). RESULTS: At baseline, parameters did not differ between groups. GLM-repeated measures ANOVA revealed no change in insulin sensitivity or lipid profile after conversion at baseline or at 2 and 4 months. There were no complications after conversion from standard TacBID or cyclosporine to TacOD. CONCLUSIONS: There was no change in insulin sensitivity or lipid profile in renal transplant recipients. Any conversion from TacBID to TacOD should be performed in a controlled manner under close surveillance.

Pityriasis Lichenoides-like Mycosis Fungoides: Clinical and Histologic Features and Response to Phototherapy

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis lichenoides (PL)-like skin lesions rarely appear as a specific manifestation of mycosis fungoides (MF). OBJECTIVE: We investigated the clinicopathological features, immunophenotypes, and treatments of PL-like MF. METHODS: This study included 15 patients with PL-like lesions selected from a population of 316 patients diagnosed with MF at one institution. RESULTS: The patients were between 4 and 59 years of age. Four patients were older than 20 years of age. All of the patients had early-stage MF. In all patients, the atypical lymphocytic infiltrate had a perivascular distribution with epidermotropism. The CD4/CD8 ratio was <1 in 12 patients. Thirteen patients were treated with either narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) or psoralen+ultraviolet A (PUVA), and all of them had complete responses. CONCLUSION: PL-like MF appears to have a favorable prognosis and occurrence of this variant in adults is uncommon. MF should be suspected in the case of a PL-like skin eruption. Therefore, biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis of PL-like MF, and NBUVB is a clinically effective treatment.

A Case of Hydrothorax Aggravated by Peritoneal Dialysate Leakage in Compensated Liver Cirrhosis Patient with Ascites / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

The cirrhotic patients with ascites present unique challenge to the renal caregiver. Hydrothorax in a cirrhotic patient treated with PD poses a diagnostic dilemma. Proposed mechanisms for the development of a pleuro-peritoneal communication include congenital diaphragmatic defects, acquired weakening of diaphragmatic fibers caused by high intra-abdominal pressures during peritoneal dialysis, and impairments in lymphatic drainage. Pleural fluid analysis and diagnostic imaging assist in differentiation from other causes of pleural effusion. We report a case of hydrothorax in a compensated cirrhotic patient after recent introduction to peritoneal dialysis.

A Case of Adult onset Bartter Syndrome with Nephrocalcinosis / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Bartter syndrome is a renal tubular defect in electrolyte transport characterized by hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, hyperreninemia, hyperaldosteronism, normal blood pressure, and other clinical symptoms. As a clinical and genetical heterogeneous disorder, this syndrome can be classified into two clinical variants, antenatal Bartter syndrome and classic Bartter syndrome according to the onset age. Nephrocalcinosis is common in antenatal Bartter syndrome, but is rare in classic Bartter syndrome. It can also be classified into five genetic subtypes by the underlying mutant gene, all of which are expressed in the tubular epithelial cells of the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. Patients with Bartter syndrome type 1, 2 and 4 present at a younger age than classic Bartter syndrome type 3. We have experienced a case of Bartter syndrome with nephrocalcinosis in a 42-year-old woman diagnosed by biochemical and radiologic studies. We had successful response with potassium chloride and spironolactone.

Extended Spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli-related Nosocomial Peritonitis Treated Successfully with Meropenem in a Patient on Peritoneal Dialysis / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Peritonitis is a common and potentially serious infection in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The most common organisms usually associated with CAPD peritonitis are Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Rarely, aerobic gram negative bacilli have been the causative agents of CAPD peritonitis. The treatment of CAPD peritonitis requires removal of the peritoneal catheter and treatment with parenteral antibiotics active against the causative pathogen. While hospitalized for CAPD peritonitis, a 55-year-old man on CAPD had nosocomial peritonitis secondary to infection by ESBL-producing E.coli, that was sensitive to imipenem and meropenem. He was treated successfully with a 4-week course of intraperitoneal meropenem therapy without subsequent relapse, loss of peritoneal catheter, ultrafiltration failure, or dialysis inadequacy.

Correlation between peripheral venous and arterial blood gas measurements in patients admitted to the intensive care unit: A single-center study

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between arterial blood gas (ABG) and peripheral venous blood gas (VBG) samples for all commonly used parameters in patients admitted to a medical intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A single-center, prospective trial was carried out in a medical ICU in order to determine the level of correlation of ABG and peripheral VBG measurements. A maximum of five paired ABG-VBG samples were obtained per patient to prevent a single patient from dominating the data set. RESULTS: Regression equations were derived to predict arterial values from venous values as follows: arterial pH=-1.108+1.145xvenous pH+0.008xPCO2-0.012xvenous HCO3+0.002xvenous total CO2 (R2=0.655), arterial PCO2=88.6-10.888xvenous pH+0.150xPCO2+0.812xvenous HCO3+0.124xvenous total CO2 (R2=0.609), arterial HCO3=-89.266+12.677xvenous pH+0.042xPCO2+0.675xvenous HCO3+0.185xvenous total CO2 (R2=0.782). The mean ABG minus peripheral VBG differences for pH, PCO2, and bicarbonates were not clinically important for between-person heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Peripheral venous pH, PCO2, bicarbonates, and total CO2 may be used as alternatives to their arterial equivalents in many clinical contexts encountered in the ICU.

Correlation between peripheral venous and arterial blood gas measurements in patients admitted to the intensive care unit: A single-center study

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between arterial blood gas (ABG) and peripheral venous blood gas (VBG) samples for all commonly used parameters in patients admitted to a medical intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: A single-center, prospective trial was carried out in a medical ICU in order to determine the level of correlation of ABG and peripheral VBG measurements. A maximum of five paired ABG-VBG samples were obtained per patient to prevent a single patient from dominating the data set. RESULTS: Regression equations were derived to predict arterial values from venous values as follows: arterial pH=-1.108+1.145xvenous pH+0.008xPCO2-0.012xvenous HCO3+0.002xvenous total CO2 (R2=0.655), arterial PCO2=88.6-10.888xvenous pH+0.150xPCO2+0.812xvenous HCO3+0.124xvenous total CO2 (R2=0.609), arterial HCO3=-89.266+12.677xvenous pH+0.042xPCO2+0.675xvenous HCO3+0.185xvenous total CO2 (R2=0.782). The mean ABG minus peripheral VBG differences for pH, PCO2, and bicarbonates were not clinically important for between-person heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: Peripheral venous pH, PCO2, bicarbonates, and total CO2 may be used as alternatives to their arterial equivalents in many clinical contexts encountered in the ICU.

Bladder Pheochromocytoma Presented as Thunderclap Headache Triggered by Urination and Angina Pectoris / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-producing tumor characterized by hypertension, headache, tachycardia, excessive diaphoresis, and angina pectoris. The thunderclap headache is so named because the pain strikes suddenly and severely. Although the symptoms of bladder pheochromocytoma are rather evident, the diagnosis of this rare neuroendocrine tumor can be missed. This study reports the case of a woman diagnosed with bladder pheochromocytoma who experienced thunderclap headache triggered by urination and angina pectoris as an initial manifestation. This case study suggests that thunderclap headache and angina pectoris occurring concurrently with sudden blood pressure elevation during or immediately after urination are important diagnostic clues of bladder pheochromocytoma.

A Case of Idiopathic Acute Renal Infarction / 대한내과학회지

Renal thromboembolism almost always occurs in the setting of cardiac disease. Acute renal infarction may occur rarely in middle-aged patients without apparent risk factors for cardiac thromboembolism. We report a 40-year-old man who developed bilateral renal infarction and had no cardiovascular risk factors, except smoking. In middle-aged healthy patients with renal colic without lithiasis, the diagnosis of idiopathic renal infarction should be considered, especially if lactate dehydrogenase is elevated.

A Case of Invasive Aspergillosis of the Paranasal Sinuses Treated with Surgery and Voriconazole after Kidney Transplantation / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Invasive fungal sinusitis is a rare, severe disease, most commonly presenting in immunocompromised patients who have impaired neutrophil function or who have received long term immunosuppressive therapy. The gold standard for treatment has been wide surgical debridement, intravenous administration of antifungal agents such as amphotericin B (AMB), and correction of the underlying immunocompromised state. A 51-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with fever and headache who had received renal transplantation 14 years ago in the other hospital. Paranasal sinus CT scan revealed hyperplasia and soft tissue density of the left maxillary sinus. Histological examination of the fungus ball and edematous mucosa of the left maxillary sinus revealed suspicious invasion of Aspergillus in the mucosa. Clinical improvement occurred after a combination of surgery and post-operative systemic antifungal therapy with voriconazole. We think that voriconazole as initial treatment may be initiated for invasive sinonasal aspergillosis, if the infection is known to be due to Aspergillus species.

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization Using Ethanol in a Dialysis Patient for Contracting Enlarged Polycystic Kidneys

The mass effect of nephromegaly in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease may cause pain and symptoms by compressing the alimentary tract, lungs, and heart. Conventional therapies exist to contract enlarged polycystic kidneys including surgical and interventional procedures. A surgical nephrectomy is often difficult to perform in dialysis patients due to the associated risks related to surgery. In contrast, renal transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with metallic coils, which is a less invasive interventional procedure, can also be utilized to contract enlarged kidneys in dialysis patients as an effective treatment. However, metallic coils present the possibility of recanalization and cost issues. Thus, we used ethanol instead of coils in renal TAE to resolve these issues. We report a dialysis patient with enlarged polycystic kidneys and poor oral intake due to abdominal distention that was successfully treated by TAE with absolute ethanol.

Depression, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: Is There a Relationship? / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the features and severity of depressive symptoms in peritoneal dialysis patients, and the relationship of depressive symptoms with levels of inflammation and oxidative stress (OS). METHODS: The diagnosis of depression was made using DSM-IV-TR and the depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) via a semi-structured interview. Levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) were determined as markers of lipid peroxidation. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were measured as antioxidants. RESULTS: 19 (28.8%) patients were diagnosed with depression (Major Depressive Disorder was 18.2%, Dysthymic disorder was 10.6%). OS markers were not different between patients with and without depression. Compared to non-depressed patients, depressed patients showed significantly higher depressed mood, feelings of guilt, suicidal ideation, sleep disturbances, psychomotor retardation, agitation, psychic and somatic anxiety, lower levels of work and activities, gastrointestinal and general somatic symptoms, and hypochondriasis. There was a significant positive correlation between HRSD scores and peritonitis (gamma=0.297, p=0.016), levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (gamma=0.406, p=0.001) and ferritin (gamma=0.276, p=0.025), while there was a significant negative correlation between scores of HRSD and levels of albumin (gamma=-0.313, p=0.010). CONCLUSION: Major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder were not related to inflammation and oxidative stress in peritoneal dialysis patients; however, depressive symptom severity was correlated with markers of inflammation and malnutrition. These results suggest that inflammation could have influence on depressive symptoms in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Effects of Supplementation with a Schizandrin C Derivative DDB-mixed Preparation (DWP-04) on Antioxidant Activity in Cisplatin-induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of reducing cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity with DWP-04 that is the compound of Schizandrin C derivative biphenyldimethyl dicarboxylate (DDB), glutathione and selenium. For the purpose of observation is that how DWP-04 has influence on mechanism of reducing cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity with renal function test, free radical formation and detoxification enzyme system in renal tissue. METHODS: Five groups of rats were dosed with vehicle, cisplatin (2 mg/kg i.p.), cisplatin+DWP-04 (100, 200 mg/kg po), or cisplatin+sodium thiosulfate (200 mg/kg i.p.) daily for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Serum creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase and activity of hydroxy radical increased in the cisplatin group and suppressed in the cisplatin+DWP-04 group compared to the cisplatin group. The renal tissue concentration of lipid peroxidase and lipofuscin were increased in the cisplatin group compared to the other groups. The activity of aminopyrine N-demethylase, aniline hydroxylase, aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase, of which free radical formation system in kidney was also decreased in the cisplatin+DWP-04 group compared to the cisplatin and cisplatin+sodium thiosulfate group. The activity of detoxification system of free radical, such as glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were markedly increased in the cisplatin+DWP-04 group than the cisplatin and the cisplatin+sodium thiosulfate group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the mechanism of decreasing cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by DWP-04 is that the decreasing of the amount of lipid peroxide and lipofuscin in the renal tissue by increasing activity of the antioxidant defense system and the decreasing of reactive oxygen species by increasing detoxification enzyme activity.

Reference Values for Serum Cystatin C by Nephelometric Immunoassay in Healthy Young Korean Men / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: In recent years, cystatin C (CysC) was proposed as a new marker for evaluating the glomerular filtration rate due to a constant serum level. The aim of this study was to measure serum CysC values of healthy young Korean men in assessment of kidney function and compare it with other reports until now in male populations, using nephelometric immunoassay. METHODS: CysC and creatinine levels were measured by particle enhanced nephelometric immunoassay and Jaffe method, respectively, in 145 young Korean men without evidence of kidney disease. Medline was searched for CysC reference values in healthy male populations. RESULTS: CysC values showed a normal distribution (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, K-S, p=0.2). The CysC reference interval for healthy young Korean men (age 19-29) was 0.58 to 0.94 mg/L (0.76+/-0.09 mg/ L, X+/-2SD, range 0.60 to 1.25 mg/L). Reference intervals for creatinine was 0.79 to 1.27 mg/dL (1.03+/-0.12 mg/dL, X+/-2SD, range 0.8 to 1.3 mg/dL) in subjects. Creatinine serum values did not show a normal distribution (K-S, p=0.001). The correlation coefficient for CysC and creatinine was only 0.308. (p=0.0001) Nephelometric CysC reference intervals we determined were consistent among different male populations. CONCLUSION: We determined reference intervals for CysC values in healthy young Korean men, and CysC reference values established by nephelometric immunoassay were consistent among different men population. This information could be useful in assessing renal function in healthy young Korean men.

A case of rapidly progressive renal failure induced by cadmium intoxication / 대한내과학회지

Cadmium (Cd)-induced renal damage primarily affects the cellular and functional integrity of the proximal tubules. Cd intoxication is a rare cause of Fanconi syndrome. We report a 31-year-old woman with Fanconi syndrome confirmed by laboratory findings and a renal biopsy that also showed an elevated urinary Cd. Seven months before admission, the patient had a normal urinalysis and renal function. Six and 3 months before admission, the patient ingested Chinese herbal mixtures. On admission, the blood Cd concentration was normal, and the urine Cd concentration was 58 microgram/g of creatinine, 29-times higher than the normal range. A renal biopsy showed degeneration of the proximal tubules with normal glomeruli. The serum creatinine had increased from 1.2 to 3.2 mg/dL over 8 months. This case of Fanconi syndrome and rapidly progressive renal damage over a short period was associated with elevated urinary Cd levels.

A Case of Episodic Angioedema with Eosinophilia / 대한피부과학회지

Angioedema with eosinophilia is classified as the episodic and transient types according to the clinical course, the presence of recurrence and the response to treatment. Episodic angioedema with eosinophilia is characterized by recurrent angioedema, urticaria, periodical weight gain, peripheral eosinophilia and fever. The pathophysiologic mechanism is unknown, but it has been suggested that T-lymphocytes, eosinophils and cytokines may be the causes of this disorder. We report here on a 35-year-old woman with episodic angioedema and weight gain that she experienced about 3 days before the onset of menstruation.

A case of necrotizing fasciitis of the abdominal wall complicating a renal biopsy / 대한내과학회지

Necrotizing fasciitis is an uncommon fatal soft-tissue infection that is rapid and very destructive. It destroys the connective tissue between the skin and muscle. The microbiological causes of necrotizing fasciitis include mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and group A streptococcus. Various host factors predispose to necrotizing fasciitis. Particularly, patients with diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, immunosuppression, advanced age, and intravenous drug abuse are at risk. The diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis is based on a single or combination of clinical indicators, laboratory and radiological studies, and surgical biopsy. The prognosis for necrotizing fasciitis depends on early recognition and determination of the extent of necrosis. Here, a case of necrotizing fasciitis of the abdomen secondary to a renal biopsy, a rare complication, is reported.