Association of dialysis adequacy with nutritional and inflammatory status in patients with chronic kidney failure.

The number of patients with dialysis-dependent renal failure has increased in the past years worldwide. Several parameters have been introduced for the quantitative assessment of dialysis adequacy. The National Cooperative Dialysis Study results indicated that Kt/V and time-averaged concentration of urea (TAC) are predictors of mortality in patients who receive maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Also, the protein catabolic ratio (PCR), which is an indicator of nutritional status, can predict patients' mortality. Our aim was to assess the impact of parameters that show dialysis adequacy on indices of nutrition or inflammation. A total of 46 patients were included in the study; eight patients were excluded during the course of the study and 38 patients were enrolled in the final analysis. All patients were receiving HD for at least for three months. HD was administered three times per week and the study lasted for two months. Kt/V, TAC and PCR were assessed at the beginning of the study based on patients' urea and blood urea nitrogen in the first week of our study; these calculations were repeated at the end of the first and second months using the mean of the mentioned values in the month. Both adequacy indices significantly and positively correlated with changes in PCR (P <0.001). However, no significant correlation was detectable between Kt/V and TAC with either body mass index and albumin or C-reactive protein. Based on the Kt/V values, patients with adequate dialysis had slower decrease in the PCR (P <0.001). Our results indicate that adequacy of dialysis is correlated with patients' nutritional status. No correlation was observed between dialysis adequacy and inflammatory status.

Effect of Sample Storage Temperature and Time Delay on Blood Gases, Bicarbonate and pH in Human Arterial Blood Samples.

BACKGROUND: Results of arterial blood gas analysis can be biased by pre-analytical factors, such as time interval before analysis, temperature during storage and syringe type. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of samples storage temperature and time delay on blood gases, bicarbonate and PH results in human arterial blood samples. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 2.5 mL arterial blood samples were drawn from 45 patients via an indwelling Intraarterial catheter. Each sample was divided into five equal samples and stored in multipurpose tuberculin plastic syringes. Blood gas analysis was performed on one of five samples as soon as possible. Four other samples were divided into two groups stored at 22°C and 0°C. Blood gas analyses were repeated at 30 and 60 minutes after sampling. RESULTS: PaO2 of the samples stored at 0°C was increased significantly after 60 minutes (P = 0.007). The PaCO2 of the samples kept for 30 and 60 minutes at 22°C was significantly higher than primary result (P = 0.04, P < 0.001). In samples stored at 22°C, pH decreased significantly after 30 and 60 minutes (P = 0.017, P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in other results of samples stored at 0°C or 22°C after 30 or 60 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: In samples stored in plastic syringes, overestimation of PaO2 levels should be noted if samples cooled before analysis. In samples stored in plastic syringes, it is not necessary to store samples in iced water when analysis delayed up to one hour.

Patient outcomes in a liver transplant program in Iran.

OBJECTIVES: The first liver transplant program in Tehran was started at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2002. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient outcomes in this program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2002 to February 2013, there were 172 deceased-donor orthotopic liver transplants performed in 166 patients, including revision transplant in 6 patients. Outcomes were evaluated for 4 phases of the program: (1) phase 1 (2002 to 2005; 9 transplants); (2) phase 2 (2006 to 2009; 41 transplants); (3) phase 3 (2010 to 2011; 49 transplants); and (4) phase 4 (2012 to 2013; 73 transplants). RESULTS: The most frequent indications for liver transplant included cryptogenic cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, and hepatitis B and C cirrhosis. During the progression from phase 1 to 4, there were significant decreases in median cold ischemia time, operative time, and transfusions (platelets, packed red blood cells, and fresh frozen plasma). The most frequent complications included infection and acute rejection. The overall median follow-up for all patients was 26 months (range, 9-144 mo). Frequency of 1-month, 3-month, 1-year, and 2-year survival increased from phase 1 to 4. Kaplan-Meier plots showed significant improvement in patient survival from phase 1 to 4 (P ≤ .001). The most common causes of death were sepsis and bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical outcomes with deceased-donor liver transplant may be improved with a cooperative multidisciplinary team, coordinated care from different specialties, increased experience, and modifications of anesthetic and surgical techniques. Comprehensive unified written protocols for preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative treatment may help improve outcomes after sufficient experience is achieved.

Establishing a liver transplantation program at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran: a report of ten years of experience.

In 2001, a Liver Transplantation (LT) program was commenced in Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex as the first one in the capital city of Tehran which is the second liver transplantation center in Iran. This study presents the results of our 10-year experience with LT.

The effects of previous abdominal operations and intraperitoneal adhesions on the outcome of peritoneal dialysis catheters.

BACKGROUND: Patients with previous history of abdominal operations are sometimes excluded from consideration for peritoneal dialysis because of concerns for increased risk of complications during the implantation procedure and inadequate dialysis due to reduced peritoneal surface area. Employing a laparoscopic approach, we compared the outcome of peritoneal dialysis catheters in 2 groups of patients with and without intra-abdominal adhesions. METHODS: All data in this report were recorded prospectively. Revision-free and overall survival of catheters, the incidence of mechanical and infectious complication, and surgical revision rates were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: In 217 successful catheter implantations, there was a history of previous abdominal surgery in 42.9% of procedures; only 26.9% of them had intraperitoneal adhesions; 2.8% of patients without history of previous abdominal surgery had intraperitoneal adhesions. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups for 1- and 2-year revision-free and overall catheter survival, mechanical dysfunction, infectious complications, or surgical revision rates. CONCLUSION: History of previous abdominal surgery should not be used to judge the eligibility of patients for peritoneal dialysis. Laparoscopic placement is the best way to ensure optimal catheter outcomes equivalent to patients without previous abdominal surgery.

The cost of hemodialysis in Iran.

The use of dialysis in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) remains one of the most resource-intensive and hence, expensive therapeutic interventions. The purpose of this study was to assess the cost of hemodialysis (HD) in Iran. This study was conducted in the Department of Nephrology at the Imam Khomeini Hospital of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, between April 2006 and June 2007. Patients with ESRD on chronic HD were involved in the study. Relevant data were collected using interview and questionnaire. Analyzed costs included: transportation plus absence from work, treatment instruments, drugs and other medical procedures, diet, staff salary, equipment and building support services, non-medical supplies, depreciation of installations and equipments, depreciation of reverse osmosis (RO) and building rent. Sixty-three patients of whom 47.7% were males and 52.3% were females, with mean age of 47 +/- 12 years were studied. The estimated cost of each HD session was about 74 US dollars by which an annual cost of $11549 could be estimated for each patient. Transportation and work leaves (28.9%), staff costs and salaries (21.5%), and treatment instruments (21.1%) were among the greatest expenses. We conclude that the annual cost of dialysis in Iran is similar to other developing countries, but significantly less than the cost in developed countries.

Infertility among kidney transplant recipients.

We studied 122 women with a transplanted kidney to evaluate their reproductive performance. 15 of the patients were either post-menopausal or underwent hysterectomy and 33 were unmarried. Of the 76 married reproductive age women, 10 (13.1%) were infertile. Three had male factor infertility, three had ovulatory problems and in four cases, the cause was uncertain. Six of these patients were actively treated by ovulation induction with or without IUI and two of these patients became pregnant. The remaining four patients refused treatment for infertility. We conclude that the incidence of infertility among kidney transplant recipients is similar to the general population, but they are less motivated to be treated for infertility.

Relation of antioxidants and acute-phase reactants in patients receiving hemodialysis.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the oxidative stress and its association with antioxidants in patients on hemodialysis, we evaluated the levels of albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, vitamin E, glutathione, and total antioxidant capacity in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, we enrolled 25 patients on maintenance hemodialysis and measured the inflammatory and oxidative stress indicators consisting of the plasma concentrations of glutathione, vitamin E, and total antioxidant capacity. The acute-phase inflammatory response was assessed by determining the serum levels of CRP and albumin as well as the plasma level of ferritin. Antioxidants and acute-phase reactants in men and women and their association with age and their correlations with each other were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 53.6 +/- 14.1 years (range, 29 to 70 years). They had been on hemodialysis for a mean duration of 4.66 +/- 5.08 years. There were no association of sex or age with the levels of antioxidants and acute-phase reactants. Plasma level of glutathione significantly correlated with CRP (r = 0.48; P = .01) and serum albumin (r = 0.42; P = .04). Duration of dialysis did not correlate with the antioxidants or acute-phase reactants. CONCLUSIONS: Although it is reasonable to see an association between acute-phase reactants and levels of antioxidants in patients on hemodialysis, we failed to show such a relation. It is recommended that other biomarkers of oxidative stress and their relation in patients with kidney failure be investigated.