Comparing Survival Outcomes between Hemodialysis and Hemodiafiltration Using Real-World Data from Brazil.

The CONVINCE trial demonstrates that high-dose hemodiafiltration offers a survival advantage for patients in the high-flux hemodiafiltration group compared to hemodialysis. We compared the outcomes of hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration using real-world data. We conducted an analysis on a cohort of patients who underwent hemodiafiltration therapy (HDF) at a single center, NefroStar Clinics. The results obtained were then compared with data from patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) therapy within the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS). The primary outcome was mortality from any cause. Results: A total of 85 patients undergoing hemodiafiltration were compared with 149,372 patients receiving hemodialysis through the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS). Using a 2:1 propensity score, we compared the 170 best-match HD patients with 85 HDF patients. In the Cox analysis, HDF therapy showed a reduced risk of mortality with an HR of 0.29 [0.11-0.77]. The propensity score analysis showed a HR of 0.32 [95% CI: 0.11-0.91]. This analysis was adjusted for age, type of access, KT/v, hemoglobin, and phosphorus. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed respective survival rates for HDF and HD at the end of one year, 92.1% and 79.9%, p < 0.001. These results suggest high-flux hemodiafiltration has survival advantages over hemodialysis in a real-world scenario.

The Role of Peritoneal Dialysis in the Treatment of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure: A Prospective Brazilian Study.

This study aimed to explore the role of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in acute-on-chronic liver disease (ACLD) in relation to metabolic and fluid control and outcome. Fifty-three patients were treated by PD (prescribed Kt/V = 0.40/session), with a flexible catheter, tidal modality, using a cycler and lactate as a buffer. The mean age was 64.8 ± 13.4 years, model of end stage liver disease (MELD) was 31 ± 6, 58.5% were in the intensive care unit, 58.5% needed intravenous inotropic agents including terlipressin, 69.5% were on mechanical ventilation, alcoholic liver disease was the main cause of cirrhosis and the main dialysis indications were uremia and hypervolemia. Blood urea and creatinine levels stabilized after four sessions at around 50 and 2.5 mg/dL, respectively. Negative fluid balance (FB) and ultrafiltration (UF) increased progressively and stabilized around 3.0 L and -2.7 L/day, respectively. Weekly-delivered Kt/V was 2.7 ± 0.37, and 71.7% of patients died. Five factors met the criteria for inclusion in the multivariable analysis. Logistic regression identified as risk factors associated with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in ACLD patients: MELD (OR = 1.14, CI 95% = 1.09-2.16, p = 0.001), nephrotoxic AKI (OR = 0.79, CI 95% = 0.61-0.93, p = 0.02), mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.49, CI 95% = 1.14-2.97, p < 0.001), and positive fluid balance (FB) after two PD sessions (OR = 1.08, CI 95% = 1.03-1.91, p = 0.007). These factors were significantly associated with death. In conclusion, our study suggests that careful prescription may contribute to providing adequate treatment for most Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) patients without contraindications for PD use, allowing adequate metabolic and fluid control, with no increase in the number of infectious or mechanical complications. MELD, mechanical complications and FB were factors associated with mortality, while nephrotoxic AKI was a protective factor. Further studies are needed to better investigate the role of PD in ACLF patients with AKI.

Frequency and clinical predictors of coronary artery disease in chronic renal failure renal transplant candidates.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cardiovascular diseases are major causes of mortality in chronic renal failure patients before and after renal transplantation. Among them, coronary disease presents a particular risk; however, risk predictors have been used to diagnose coronary heart disease. This study evaluated the frequency and importance of clinical predictors of coronary artery disease in chronic renal failure patients undergoing dialysis who were renal transplant candidates, and assessed a previously developed scoring system. METHODS: Coronary angiographies conducted between March 2008 and April 2013 from 99 candidates for renal transplantation from two transplant centers in São Paulo state were analyzed for associations between significant coronary artery diseases (≥70% stenosis in one or more epicardial coronary arteries or ≥50% in the left main coronary artery) and clinical parameters. RESULTS: Univariate logistic regression analysis identified diabetes, angina, and/or previous infarction, clinical peripheral arterial disease and dyslipidemia as predictors of coronary artery disease. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified only diabetes and angina and/or previous infarction as independent predictors. CONCLUSION: The results corroborate previous studies demonstrating the importance of these factors when selecting patients for coronary angiography in clinical pretransplant evaluation.

Piperacillin/tazobactam-induced neurotoxicity in a hemodialysis patient: a case report.

Antibiotics are potentially a cause of neurotoxicity in dialysis patients, the most common are the beta-lactams as ceftazidime and cefepime, and few cases have been reported after piperacillin/tazobactam use. This report presents a case of a hypertensive and diabetic 67-year-old woman in regular hemodialysis, which previously had a stroke. She was hospitalized presenting pneumonia, which was initially treated with cefepime. Two days after treatment, she presented dysarthria, left hemiparesis, ataxia, and IX and X cranial nerves paresis. Computed tomography showed no acute lesions and cefepime neurotoxicity was hypothesized, and the antibiotic was replaced by piperacillin/tazobactam. The neurologic signs disappeared; however, 4 days after with piperacillin/tazobactam treatment, the neurological manifestations returned. A new computed tomography showed no new lesions, and the second antibiotic regimen withdrawn. After two hemodialysis sessions, the patient completely recovered from neurological manifestations. The patient presented sequentially neurotoxicity caused by two beta-lactams antibiotics. This report meant to alert clinicians that these antibiotics have dangerous neurological effects in chronic kidney disease patients.

Glomerulonefrite difusa aguda em idosos: relato de caso de uma manifestação atípica e revisão de literatura / Glomerulonephritis in the elderly: a case report of an atypical manifestation and literature review

A glomerulonefrite difusa aguda (GNDA) é uma afecção glomerular que, em geral, apresenta-se como síndrome nefrítica, sendo esta caracterizada pelo aparecimento súbito de hematúria, edema e hipertensão, com graus variáveis de proteinúria e redução da taxa de filtração glomerular, embora nem todas estas manifestações precisem estar presentes. A glomerulonefrite pós-estreptoccócica (GNPE) e vista como protótipo deste tipo de glomerulopatia, sendo o estreptococo beta hemolítico do grupo A de Lancefield o seu agente etiológico causador. Quanto a evolução, vale salientar que não há muita informação publicada quanto ao seguimento de adultos com glomerulonefrites agudas e poucos são os estudos envolvendo um número considerável de pacientes, mesmo quando incluídas apenas em criança. Dessa forma, diante de um caso de insuficiência renal aguda com evolução rápida para diálise, muitas vezes o diagnóstico correto da patologia renal não é confirmado e as glomerulonefrites rapidamente progressivas não são notificadas. Dessa maneira, perde-se a oportunidade de instituir tratamento específico. O objetivo de relatar o caso de uma paciente idosa (idade maior que 60 anos) que apresentou uma manifestação atípica da GNDA com evolução ruim é de enfatizar aimportância de uma investigação renal com biópsia renal para diagnóstico, tratamento e prognóstico

Glomerulonefrite difusa aguda em idosos: relato de caso de uma manifestação atípica e revisão de literatura

A glomerulonefrite difusa aguda (GNDA) é uma afecção glomerular que, em geral, apresenta-se como síndrome nefrítica, sendo esta caracterizada pelo aparecimento súbito de hematúria, edema e hipertensão, com graus variáveis de proteinúria e redução da taxa de filtração glomerular, embora nem todas estas manifestações precisem estar presentes. A glomerulonefrite pós-estreptoccócica (GNPE) e vista como protótipo deste tipo de glomerulopatia, sendo o estreptococo beta hemolítico do grupo A de Lancefield o seu agente etiológico causador. Quanto a evolução, vale salientar que não há muita informação publicada quanto ao seguimento de adultos com glomerulonefrites agudas e poucos são os estudos envolvendo um número considerável de pacientes, mesmo quando incluídas apenas em criança. Dessa forma, diante de um caso de insuficiência renal aguda com evolução rápida para diálise, muitas vezes o diagnóstico correto da patologia renal não é confirmado e as glomerulonefrites rapidamente progressivas não são notificadas. Dessa maneira, perde-se a oportunidade de instituir tratamento específico. O objetivo de relatar o caso de uma paciente idosa (idade maior que 60 anos) que apresentou uma manifestação atípica da GNDA com evolução ruim é de enfatizar aimportância de uma investigação renal com biópsia renal para diagnóstico, tratamento e prognóstico