Asymptomatic coronary artery disease: angiography in diabetic patients before renal transplantation. Relation of findings to postoperative survival.

Twenty-one juvenile-onset diabetic patients with azotemic nephropathy underwent coronary angiography and left ventriculography before renal transplantation or chronic hemodialysis. Two-year survival of 12 patients with no coronary artery disease (group A) was 88% compared to 22% for nine patients with coronary artery disease (group B) (P less than 0.025). Each group A patient underwent renal transplantation (nine live-related, three cadaveric). Four group B patients received cadaveric allografts. Among group A patients two cadaveric allografts functioned while in group B patients no allografts were successful. In the absence of coronary artery disease, results were similar to those reported for nondiabetic persons. In the presence of coronary artery disease, 62% of the deaths were due to myocardial infarction or sudden death. These results indicate that atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is a major determinant of survival in diabetic patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis or renal transplantation.

Decreased insulin requirement in acute renal failure in diabetic nephropathy.

Twelve of 13 diabetics with azotemic nephropathy experienced exacerbation of renal failure and decreased insulin requirement after coronary angiography utilizing radiographic contrast material. The single patient who did not develop acute renal failure had no evidence of decreased insulin requirement. Eleven of 12 patients had decreased insulin requirement: mean decrement in insulin dose, 40%; mean decrement in fasting blood glucose level, 33%; mean decrement in peak blood glucose level, 42%. The 12th patient underwent peritoneal dialysis against hypertonic glucose without need of an increased insulin dose. Eight of 11 patients experienced a total of 19 insulin reactions; one patient was hypoglycemic continuously, despite infusion of glucose and discontinuation of insulin. The decrement of insulin requirement was not proportional to the rise in either serum creatinine or potassium concentrations. We suggest that when acute renal failure occurs in diabetics, decreased insulin requirement should be anticipated and the insulin dose lowered.

Chronic renal failure in diabetes: survival with hemodialysis vs. transplantation.

Clinical observations for 49 diabetic patients who required chronic hemodialysis or renal transplantation during a four year period are presented. Twenty-seven dialysis patients had a two year cumulative survival of 74% compared to 54% for 22 transplantation patients. The cumulative survival of live-related donor recipients (77%) was similar to that of the dialysis group and significantly better than that of cadaveric allograft recipients (36%). While the incidences of cardiomegaly and of motor neuropathy were high among live-related donor recipients, dialysis patients more often demonstrated peripheral vascular disease. Causes of death in hemodialysis patients included cardipulmonary arrest and patient decision to discontinue therapy; in the transplantation group included cardiopulmonary arrest, sepsis, and stroke. Living-related transplantation remains the preferred mode of therapy because of the potential for rehabilitation. In terms of patient survival, the risks of cadaver transplantation must be weighted against the discomforts of chronic dialysis.

Coronary angiography and acute renal failure in diabetic azotemic nephropathy.

Thirteen juvenile-onset diabetics with azotemic diabetic nephropathy (mean serum creatinine level, 6.8 mg/dl) being evaluated fro renal transplantation underwent cardiac catheterization with angiography. All were followed for development of acute renal failure. Twelve (92%) developed some evidence of acute renal failure. Two required potassium exchange resin therapy. Six required dialysis acutely. There were no deaths. All patients who received greater than 65 ml/m2 of iodinated contrast developed acute renal failure. No patient with a hemoglobin value greater than 9.9 g/dl required dialysis or potassium exchange resin. The single patients without acute renal failure received less than 50 ml/m2 of iodinated contrast and had the highest hemoglobin value (12.0 g/dl). No cardiac or angiographic variables were predictive of acute renal failure. In this group at high risk for acute renal failure, radiographic contrast procedures should only be done if the information to be obtained is weighed against the potential for injury.

Fluid and electrolyte problems in patients with advanced carcinoma.

Brief outlines of these problems serve to suggest some etiologic factors in their production. The patient seldom presents with a single or simple cause or solution. The body reacts with compensations or side effects, and suffers complications and mixed disorders -- all of which probabilities must be investigated and appreciated before rational therapy can be initiated.