Urine flow cytometry and detection of glomerular hematuria.

BACKGROUND: The UF-100 is a flow cytometer designed for automated cellular urinalysis. In this study, the usefulness of the UF-100 in laboratory investigation into the origin of hematuria was evaluated. METHODS: Results from flow cytometric urinalysis were used to classify urinary red blood cells (RBCs) according to glomerular and non-glomerular origin and the classification was compared to the patient's clinical diagnosis as the gold standard. In parallel, microscopic sediment analysis was carried out. RESULTS: A total of 206 urine samples from 129 patients were analyzed (127 from patients with glomerular hematuria, 79 from patients with non-glomerular hematuria). Of these, 136 samples (92 patients) showed overt hematuria (>or=20 RBC/microL). Urine flow cytometry correctly classified 61% (sediment analysis 69%) of urine samples with overt hematuria. If inconclusive results are excluded, the UF-100 correctly diagnosed 85% (sediment analysis 98%) of urine samples with overt hematuria. The UF-100 and microscopic sediment analysis both showed sensitivity of 99% for the detection of glomerular hematuria. The specificity of the UF-100 for the detection of glomerular bleeding was lower (42%) than the specificity of microscopic sediment analysis (93%). CONCLUSIONS: Owing to its low specificity, the UF-100 showed limited capacity to discriminate glomerular from non-glomerular causes of hematuria in a population with a high incidence of renal disease. Therefore, extensive microscopic urinalysis remains necessary to assess the origin of hematuria.

Ionic mass balance and blood volume preservation during a high, standard, and individualized dialysate sodium concentration.

BACKGROUND: Although a higher dialysate sodium concentration (DNa) is frequently used to improve haemodynamic stability during haemodialysis, few studies have compared ionic mass balance (IMB) during different DNa. Moreover, DNa is usually a standard prescription, whereas inter-individual pre-dialytic serum sodium levels may differ widely. The aims of the study were to assess IMB and the decline in blood volume (DeltaBV) during isovolaemic HD as well as during HD combined with ultrafiltration (UF) during DNa [140], DNa [144], and an individualized DNa [ind], in which DNa is equal to pre-HD plasma conductivity x 10. METHODS: IMB and plasma conductivity were assessed by on-line conductivity measurements (Diascan; Hospal) in 13 HD patients. After 1 h of isovolaemic HD, measurements were continued during UF+HD until dry weight. DeltaBV was assessed by an optical method (Hemoscan). RESULTS: During isovolaemic HD with DNa [140] and [144], Pre-Na was significantly related to IMB (r=0.83 and r=0.61; P<0.05). Diffusive Na flux into the patient occurred when the difference between DNa and pre-dialytic serum sodium was larger than 5 mmol/l. During UF+HD, IMB was 318+/-166 mmol during DNa [140], 277+/-116 mmol during DNa [ind], and 239+/-111 during DNa [144] (mean+/-SD; P<0.05 compared with the other treatment modalities) whereas DeltaBV did not differ significantly. In the five patients with a pre-dialytic sodium concentration below 140 mmol/l, ionic removal was significantly higher during DNa [ind] (324+/-87) compared with DNa [140] (228+/-127 mmol; P<0.05) without a significant difference in DeltaBV (-9.7+/-1.6 vs -7.8+/-2.3%). CONCLUSION: A large difference in IMB was observed between DNa 144 and DNa 140, without a significant difference in DeltaBV. In patients with low pre-dialytic serum sodium levels, diffusive ionic influx from the dialysate into the patient may occur. In patients with low pre-dialytic sodium levels, DNa [ind] leads to an enhanced ionic removal compared with DNa [140] without large differences in DeltaBV.