Severe asymptomatic coronary obstruction in chronic hemodialysed patient - a case report.

Introduction. Arterial stiffness and vascular calcifications are independent predictors of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5D population. According to the guidelines, patients on renal replacement therapy represent a very high cardiovascular risk class. Case report. We report the case of a 67-year-old hypertensive male patient, known with CKD stage 5D on hemodialysis (three times per week), secondary bone mineral disease, admitted for progressive right leg pain. The physical examination detected right dorsalis pedis artery pulse absence. Blood biochemistry emphasized hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, increased alkaline phosphatase, metabolic acidosis, hypoalbuminemia, iPTH values above upper limits. The X-ray of right shin highlighted a vascular calcification with a "train track" aspect on the tibial-peroneal artery trunk and the thoracic X-ray (performed with low ray regime) showed calcium deposits in coronary arteries walls. Legs arteriography and coronary angiography were performed revealing multiple lesions on investigated vessels with an 80% narrowing of right coronary artery. The particularity of the case lies in the absence of angina in a chronic hemodialysis patient in whom multiple significant angiographically stenosis of the coronary arteries were found and successful endovascular therapy was performed. Conclusion. The broadening of the indication for coronary angiography should be considered in certain asymptomatic CKD stage 5D patients based on a risk score involving calcium, phosphate, PTH and acid-base imbalances, while considering their major influence on the structure and tone of vascular walls thus on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality rates. Abbreviations. ABI = ankle-brachial index,CAD = coronary artery disease,CKD = chronic kidney disease,CT = computed tomography, EBCT = electron-beam computed tomography,ESRD = end-stage renal disease,GFR = glomerular filtration rate,iPTH = intact parathormon,PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention.

The role of oral sodium bicarbonate supplementation in maintaining acid-base balance and its influence on the cardiovascular system in chronic hemodialysis patients - results of a prospective study.

Background: Major acid-base variations during dialysis and the imbalances in serum calcium levels intensified by them play a role in cardiovascular damage of hemodialysis patients. Early vascular walls modifications can be objectified by determining the pulse wave velocity (PWV) - a marker of vascular stiffness that is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. Material and methods: This was a prospective study conducted on 63 chronic hemodialysis patients with diuresis above 500 mL/ 24 hours and predialysis blood pressure below 160 mmHg (treatment controlled) randomized in two groups for 12 months - the study group receiving interdialitic oral sodium bicarbonate doses and control group, without oral sodium bicarbonate supplementation, but receiving higher bicarbonate prescriptions in dialysis. All the patients were monthly evaluated by biochemical tests (serum calcium, phosphate, iPTH, bicarbonate), the assessment of prescribed doses of phosphate binders being undergone. Two PWV determinations and chest X-ray exams for coronary calcifications were done - at the beginning and end of the study for every patient. Results: In the study group (n = 29), the mean age was 56.48 ± 12.78 years and the average duration of dialysis was 55.51 ± 34.53 months, the mean dialysis bicarbonate was 29.81 ± 1.41 mEq/ L and 27 of them (subgroup 0) had alkaline reserve (AR) 20-22 mEq/ L. The control group (n = 34) had a mean age of 57.35 ± 15.32 years and the mean dialysis duration 59.67 ± 34.79 months, with an average level of dialysis bicarbonate of 33 ± 2.2 mEq/ L necessary to maintain AR within guidelines. Depending on the mean AR obtained, this group was divided into three subgroups (subgroup 1, subgroup 2, and subgroup 3). There were statistically significant differences regarding the necessary of dialysis bicarbonate (p < 0.001), average serum calcium levels (p < 0.001) and serum phosphorus (p < 0.001), as well as PWV mean values and the number of vascular calcifications (p = 0.036) between the study and the control group. The average dose of phosphate binders was significantly higher in the study group (p = 0.01). At the end of the study, the serum iPTH average levels were decreased in the study group (p < 0.001) and significantly increased in the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Avoiding large variations in serum bicarbonate levels is an important step in hemodialysis patients' management because wide acidosis-alkalosis variation can increase cardiovascular risks in terms of altering the vessel walls elasticity and favoring their calcifications. Abbreviations: GFR = glomerular filtration rate,PWV = pulse wave velocity, iPTH = intact parathyroid hormone,AR = alkaline reserve, BP = blood pressure,mEq = milliequivalents,L = liter.

Measuring the hepatic venous pressure gradient in the upper digestive hemorrhages.

The upper digestive hemorrhage is one of the main causes of mortality from liver cirrhosis (CH). The measurement of the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) by angiographic way can be used for the determination of the risk of hemorrhage. The aim of this study is to verify the influence of the HVPG measurement upon the survival in patients with CH and upper digestive hemorrhage. A retrospective pilot study on 33 patients with upper digestive hemorrhage divided into two groups according to the therapeutic attitude followed, was carried out. One group was classically treated, with variceal band ligation, non-elective beta-blockers and in emergency Octreotide. The other group was treated depending on the value of HVPG. From the moment of the first episode of digestive hemorrhage, the survival period was in average of 8.1 months for the patients with viral etiology and for those with alcoholic etiology it was of 19.7 months. In patients treated after HVPG measurement, the average survival period was of 34.2 months and in patients "classically" treated, the average survival period was of 15.5 months (significant difference). In conclusion, the measurement of HVPG allowed the selection of a high-risk group of patients. This permitted the making of a therapeutical decision with a significant prolongation of life in these patients.