Platelet Distribution Width and Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The association between platelet distribution width (PDW) and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients has received little attention. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled HD patients in a single center from January 1, 2008, to December 30, 2011. The primary and secondary endpoints were all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, respectively. The association between PDW and mortality was estimated by Cox regression model. RESULTS: Of 496 patients, the mean age was 52.5 ± 16.6 years, and the Charlson comorbidity index was 4.39 ± 1.71. During the follow-up period of 48.8 ± 6.7 months, 145 patients (29.2%) died, including 74 (14.9%) cardiovascular deaths. 258 (52.0%) with PDW < 16.31% were in the low group and 238 (48.0%) in those with PDW ≥ 16.31% according to cut-off for all-cause mortality by receiving-operator characteristics. After adjusting for confounding factors, high PDW values were independently associated with higher risk of all-cause (hazards ratio (HR) = 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-6.82) and cardiovascular deaths (HR = 2.26, 95% CI 1.44-3.63) in HD patients. When comparing with quartile 1 of PDW, quartile 4 of PDW was independently associated with a higher risk of all-cause (HR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.18-5.30) and cardiovascular deaths (HR = 2.71, 95% CI 1.49-3.76) in HD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline PDW was independently associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in HD patients.

Epidemic characteristics of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Hunan Province from 2013 to 2016 / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To analyze the epidemic characteristics of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis(MDR-TB)in Hunan Province from 2013 to 2016,and provide theoretical basis for the prevention and control of tuberculosis.Methods Information about TB patients in Hunan Province reported by China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention between January 2013 and December 2016 was analyzed retrospectively.Results From 2013 to 2016,the total drug resistance registration rate in Hunan Province was 5.53/million(1 496/270 330 000),multidrug registration rate was 5.40/million(1 459/270 330 000),drug resistance rate and multidrug resistance rate showed an upward trends(trend x2 =113.605,96.590,respectively,both P<0.001).Among MDR-TB patients,male were more than females(74.09%vs 25.91%),most were more than 25 years of age,especially 45～age group(27.07%);the proportion of patients with MDR-TB retreatment was higher than that of the initial treatment(69.91%vs 30.09%).From 2013 to 2016,distribution range of MDR registration rates in different regions were 4.07/million-7.23/million.Conclusion MDR-TB in Hunan Province in 2013-2016 is increasing year by year,and mainly concentrate on young people over 20 years old.There are more cases of male and retreatment;it is necessary to strengthen regular treatment and prevention of key population,enhance the ability to identify and diagnose MDR-TB patients,and reduce the spread of MDR-TB.

Sequential hemoperfusion and continuous venovenous hemofiltration in treatment of severe tetramine poisoning.

OBJECTIVE: It was the aim of this study to observe the effects of sequential hemoperfusion (HP) and continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) on patients with severe tetramine poisoning and to evaluate the ability of these modalities to remove tetramine. METHODS: Eighteen patients diagnosed as having severe tetramine poisoning were treated by blood purification, additional to routine medical therapy. Blood purification procedures included HP using activated charcoal for 3-5 h and consecutive CVVH for 24-36 h. Patients' clinical conditions, blood routine tests and serum chemical tests were evaluated every day after admission. Plasma tetramine concentrations were determined before and after HP. During CVVH, tetramine concentrations in plasma before and after passing through the filter and ultrafiltration at 2 and 12 h were also determined. RESULTS: Eight patients received blood purification within 12 h after onset of poisoning, and 10 patients received blood purification more than 12 h later. Early-treated patients showed a higher cure rate (100 vs. 60.0%; p < 0.05, chi(2) test) and shorter coma time than late-treated patients (26.0 +/- 23.2 h, range 5-70, vs. 59.7 +/- 27.7 h, range 20-96; p < 0.01, rank test). The mean plasma tetramine concentrations in early- and late-treated patients were comparable (0.095 +/- 0.036 vs. 0.134 +/- 0.110 mg/l; p > 0.05). Mean plasma tetramine concentration was reduced from 0.124 +/- 0.082 to 0.080 +/- 0.055 mg/l after HP. At 2 h of CVVH, mean plasma tetramine concentration was 0.078 +/- 0.064 mg/l, at 12 h of CVVH, 0.074 +/- 0.059 mg/l, and the ultrafiltration sieving coefficient at 2 and 12 h was 0.839 +/- 0.409 and 0.686 +/- 0.253 mg/l, respectively. CONCLUSION: Early sequential HP and CVVH therapy may significantly improve the outcome of patients with severe tetramine intoxication. HP can rapidly reduce the plasma concentration of tetramine, and CVVH can attenuate the plasma tetramine concentration rebound after HP by continuously removing tetramine from the plasma.

Continuous veno venous hemofiltration in treatment of acute necrotizing pancreatitis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effectiveness of using continuous veno venous hemofiltration (CVVH) in the treatment of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirteen ANP patients were involved in this study, including 4 females and 9 males, averaging 50.6 +/- 10.8 years old. CT scans upon admission revealed 33% necrosis involving the body of the pancreas in 2 patients, 67% necrosis in 3 patients and 100% necrosis in the other 8; the CT severity score was 8.9 +/- 2.1. CVVH was maintained for at least 72 hours and the AN69 hemofilter (1.2 m(2)) was changed every 24 hours. The ultrafiltration rate during CVVH was 2993.9 +/- 983.0 ml/h, the blood flow rate was 250 - 300 ml/min, and the substitute fluid was infused in a pre-diluted manner. Low molecular weight heparin was used as anticoagulant.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CVVH was well tolerated in all the patients. Bloody abdominal cavity drainage fluid was observed in 2 patients, but no other side-effects related with CVVH were observed. Two patients died of systemic fungal infections and another died of intracranial fungi infection, resulting in an ICU mortality of 23.1%. Ten of the patients survived in the ICU, but one of them died for other reasons unrelated to the SAP before discharge. The APACHE II score before CVVH was 15.2 +/- 6.5, but decreased significantly to 8.1 +/- 5.3, 7.5 +/- 4.9 and 8.0 +/- 5.2 at the 24th, 48th and 72nd hour after CVVH, respectively (P < 0.01). Serum concentration of IL-1beta and TNFalpha decreased to the trough at the 6th hour after a new hemofilter was used and increased slowly to pre-CVVH levels 12 hours later. After CVVH had ceased, the serum levels of two cytokines increased to their peaks at the 120th hour and decreased eventually at the 144th hour. The sieving coefficient (SC) of IL-1beta and TNFalpha was 0.33 +/- 0.11 and 0.16 +/- 0.08.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CVVH offered therapeutic options for ANP and was well tolerated resulting in clearance of IL-1beta and TNFalpha; CVVH at early stages of SAP may contribute to the improvement of outcome.</p>

Regional citrate anticoagulation in critically ill patients during continuous blood purification / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To evaluate the safety and define the contraindication of regional citrate anticoagulation treatment on various critically ill patients being treated by continuous blood purification, who also had bleeding tendencies.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty critically ill patients being treated by continuous blood purification (CBP) were involved in this study. Due to their bleeding tendencies, regional citrate anticoagulation treatment was given to all of them. Those with hepatic function impairment (n = 10) were classified as Group A, those with hypoxemia were classified as Group B (n = 10), and the others as Group C (n = 20). Blood samples were collected before treatment, and at 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hour intervals during CBP. These samples then were used arterial blood gas analysis, whole blood activated clotting time (WBACT) pre- and post-filter, and serum ionized calcium examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>WBACT pre-filter showed little fluctuant through the 48 hr period of CBP, and WBACT post-filter showed obvious prolongation than that of the pre-filter (P < 0.05) at all time points. Metabolic acidosis was found in Group A patients before CBP, and improved during CBP. Normal acid-base conditions of patients were disturbed and deteriorated in Group B during CBP, but not in Group C. Serum ionized calcium was maintained at a normal range during CBP in Group A and C patients, but declined significantly in Group B patients (vs. pre-treatment, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Regional citrate anticoagulation can be safely used in conjunction with CBP treatment for patients with hepatic function impairment, but may induce acidosis and a decline in serum ionized calcium when used with hypoxemic patients.</p>