[Efficacy of rasburicase therapy in obstructive renal failure secondary to urolithiasis: a novel therapeutic option]. / Eficacia de la rasburicasa en el fracaso renal agudo obstructivo por litiasis: una nueva opción terapéutica.

The overall incidence of nephrolithiasis-related acute and chronic renal failure is poorly known and surely underestimated. However, obstructive nephropathy represents a potentially curable form of kidney disease that often requires for managing an instrumentation of urinary tract. Rasburicase is an enzyme that transforms uric acid to allantoin, a compound more water soluble that will be excreted by the kidney more easily. Rasburicase has been proven to be an effective therapy for prevention of tumour lysis syndrome. But it also represents an interesting new option in managing hyperuricemia in patients with severe tophaceous gout. We administered rasburicase intravenously (0.20 mg/kg/day, for 2 days) in 2 adults with acute obstructive nephropathy from renal calculi, which was receiving temporary haemodialysis. Rasburicase produced a sharp polyuria 12-18 hours after its administration accompanied with a fast reduction of serum creatinine levels, that returned to normal range without further dialysis. If we suppose that rasburicase can pass through glomerular filter by its relatively low molecular weight, it could dissolve tubular uric acid crystals in acute renal failure associated to tumour lysis syndrome, providing the restoration of renal function. But we also could postulate that rasburicase can act in urinary tract, fragmentating renal calculi, promoting relief of obstructive uropathy and the resolution of renal failure. We suggest rasburicase should be tried in this new indication to prove its potential efficacy.

[Preliminary study on efficacy and tolerance of a "coupage" of olive oil in patients with chronic kidney disease. Nutritonal evaluation]. / Estudio preliminar sobre eficacia y tolerancia de un "coupage" de aceite de oliva en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica. Evaluación del estado de nutrición.

The discrepancies among data reported by using olive oil (OO) in humans appear to be due to the great differences between the different OO used. Based on structure/function relationships we have chemically optimized an OO through the rational mixture ("coupage") of several Spanish extra virgin olive oils (methodology "oHo"). Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) develop a progressive picture of malnutrition and inflammation that lead them to an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. In a pilot, randomised trial the nutritional efficacy and safety of "oHo" were evaluated in 32 patients (mean age 60,8 +/- 13,2 years old; 16 women) with CKD (KDIGO stages 4-5) at predialysis. After a 7 days wash out for statins and ACE inhibitors 19 patients had "oHo" at doses of 60 mL/day (20 mL t.i.d) for 30 consecutive days, whilst 13 patients remain as a control group without "oHo". At the end of the study only patients having "oHo" showed significant increases of serum albumin (p<0.05) and not significant increases of total proteins, weight, and BMI. Total cholesterol (p<0.05) and HDL-cholesterol (p<0.01) increased with "oHo". The number of cases with pathologic HOMA-IR in the control group increased from 1 to 2 patients whilst in the "oHo" group decreased from 2 to none. No significant changes of minerals, arterial pressure, hemoglobin, and other parameters related to CKD were seen. After a 30 days follow-up in the "oHo" group all parameters came back to basal ones, excepting for blood pressure that significantly decreased (p<0,05). Tolerance was excellent and constipation significantly diminished (p<0,001) in the "oHo" group. Of importance, none of these biological changes were seen in regular consumers of other conventional olive oils (control group). These intriguing results, seen by the first time, appear to partially satisfy the recent claims ("reverse epidemiology") about the need of a more correct nutrition in CKD patients. However, these data need to be proved in more larger trials as well as in CKD patients under dialysis with harder inflammatory/malnutrition conditions.

[Fistulae or catheter for elderly who start hemodialysis without permanent vascular access?]. / Acceso vascular permanente en pacientes de edad avanzada que inician hemodiálisis: fístula o catéter?

UNLABELLED: Autologous access is the best vascular access for dialysis also in older patients and it should be mature when patient needs hemodialysis. It is not always possible. Surgeon availability and demographic characteristics of patients (age, diabetes, vascular disease...) are factors that determine primary vascular access. AIM: To analyse outcome and vascular access complications in elderly who start hemodialysis without vascular access. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients older than 75 years who initiated hemodialysis without vascular access between January 2000 and June 2002 were included, They were divided en two groups depending on primary vascular access. GI: arterio-venous fistulae. GIIl: Tunnelled cuffed catheter. Epidemiological and analytical data, vascular access complications related, as well as patient and first permanent vascular access survival from their inclusion in dialysis up to December 2002 were analysed and compared in both groups. RESULTS: 32 patients were studied. GI: n = 17 (4 men) and GIIl: n =1 5 (8 men), age: 79.9 +/- 3.8 and 81.7 +/- 4 years respectively (ns). There were no differences in sex and comorbidity (diabetes, ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and hypertension). It took GI 3 months to get a permanent vascular access suitable for using, while it took GIIl 1.3 months (p < 0.005) The number of temporary untunnelled catheters was higher in GI (3.35 vs 1.87 p < 0.05). Vascular access complications: 70.6% of infections occur in GI (incidence (I) = 48 infections/100 patients-year) while only 29.4% were detected in GII (I = 25 infections/100 patients-year). 70% of central venous thrombosis happen in GI (I: 25 CVT/100 patients-year) vs 30% in GIIl (I = 14.4/100 patients-year) (ns). No significant differences neither in bleeding (66.7% vs 33.3%) nor ischemia (75% vs 25%) were found. Dialysis dose (Kt/V) as well as anaemia degree were similar in both groups. Permanent vascular access survival after 2 years was 45.8% in GI and 24% in GII (ns). Patient survival was similar in GI and GII (72% vs 51% ns). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly who start hemodialysis without vascular access took longer to get a suitable permanent vascular access when arterio-venous fistulae is placed than with a tunnelled cuffed hemodialysis catheter. As a consequence, vascular access complications are larger, infection ones are the most common. In these patients a tunnelled catheter should be inserted at the time a peripheral arterio-venous access is created, in order to avoid temporary untunnelled catheters.

Acceso vascular permanente en pacientes de edad avanzada que inician hemodiálisis: ¿Fístula o catéter? / Permanent vascular access in the elderly patient who starts on hemodialysis: fistulae or catheter?

Introducción: La fístula arteriovenosa (FAV) autóloga es el acceso vascular permanente (AVP) de elección en los pacientes en hemodiálisis y debería realizarse en prediálisis. Esta situación ideal no siempre es posible. La disponibilidad del cirujano vascular y las características del paciente (edad, comorbilidad...) son factores que, entre otros, determinan el acceso vascular de inicio. Objetivo: Estudiar la evolución y complicaciones derivadas del acceso vascular en pacientes de edad avanzada, que comienzan hemodiálisis sin acceso vascular funcionante. Pacientes y métodos: Incluimos los pacientes mayores de 75 años que iniciaron hemodiálisis desde enero del 2000 hasta junio del 2002 sin acceso vascular permanente funcionante. Los clasificamos en dos grupos según el primer AVP realizado (Grupo I: FAV, Grupo II: Catéter Permanente). Analizamos y comparamos en ambos grupos datos epidemiológicos, analíticos, complicaciones derivadas del acceso vascular y supervivencia de pacientes y del primer AVP funcionante desde su inclusión en diálisis hasta diciembre de 2002. Resultados: Estudiamos 32 pacientes. GI: n = 17 (4 hombres) y GII: n = 15 (8 hombres), edad 79,9 ± 3,8 y 81,7 ± 4 años respectivamente (ns). No existían diferencias en sexo, nefropatía de base y comorbilidad (diabetes, cardiopatía isquémica, arteriopatía periférica e HTA). El GI tardó 3 meses en conseguir un AVP funcionante y el GII 1,3 meses (p < 0,05). El número de catéteres transitorios fue mayor en GI (3,35 vs 1,87 p < 0,05). Complicaciones derivadas del acceso vascular: El 70,6% de las infecciones ocurren en GI (incidencia (I): 48 infecciones/100 pacientes-año) frente al 29,4% en GII (I = 24 infecciones/100 pacientes-año) p < 0,05. El 70% de las trombosis venosas profundas se dan en GI (I: 25 TVP/100 pacientes-año) frente 30% en GII (I = 14,4/100 pacientes-año) (ns). No se encontraron diferencias en hemorragias (66,7% vs 33,3%) ni isquemia (75% vs 25%). La eficacia de diálisis (Kt/V) y el grado de anemia fue similar en ambos grupos. La supervivencia del AVP a los 2 años en GI fue 45,8% y en GII 24 % (ns). La supervivencia de los pacientes fue similar en GI y GII (72% vs 51% ns) Conclusiones: Los pacientes de edad avanzada que inician hemodiálisis sin acceso vascular tardan más tiempo en conseguir un AVP funcionante cuando se opta por una FAV frente a un catéter permanente. Como consecuencia, las complicaciones derivadas del acceso vascular son mayores, siendo más frecuentes las infecciosas. Una opción para estos pacientes sería la colocación de un catéter permanente como primer acceso vascular y la realización simultánea de una FAV, manteniendo el catéter hasta el desarrollo de la misma

Autologous access is the best vascular access for dialysis also in older patients and it should be mature when patient needs hemodialysis. It is not always possible. Surgeon availability and demographic characteristics of patients (age, diabetes, vascular disease...) are factors that determine primary vascular access. Aim: To analyse outcome and vascular access complications in elderly who start hemodialysis without vascular access. Patients and methods: All patients older than 75 years who initiated hemodialysis without vascular access between january 2000 and june 2002 were included, They were divided en two groups depending on primary vascular access. GI: arterio-venous fistulae. GII: Tunnelled cuffed catheter. Epidemiological and analytical data, vascular access complications related, as well as patient and first permanent vascular access survival from their inclusion in dialysis up to december 2002 were analysed and compared in both groups. Results: 32 patients were studied. GI: n = 17 (4 men) and GII: n =1 5 (8 men), age: 79.9 ± 3.8 and 81.7 ± 4 years respectively (ns). There were no differences in sex and comorbidity (diabetes, ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and hypertension). It took GI 3 months to get a permanent vascular access suitable for using, while it took GII 1.3 months (p < 0.005) The number of temporary untunnelled catheters was higher in GI (3.35 vs 1.87 p < 0.05). Vascular access complications: 70.6% of infections occur in GI (incidence (I) = 48 infections/100 patients-year) while only 29.4% were detected in GII (I = 25 infections/100 patients-year). 70% of central venous thrombosis happen in GI (I: 25 CVT/100 patients-year) vs 30% in GII (I = 14.4/100 patients-year) (ns). No significant differences neither in bleeding (66.7% vs 33.3%) nor ischemia (75% vs 25%) were found. Dialysis dose (Kt/V) as well as anaemia degree were similar in both groups. Permanent vascular access survival after 2 years was 45.8% in GI and 24% in GII (ns). Patient survival was similar in GI and GII (72% vs 51% ns). Conclusions: Elderly who start hemodialysis without vascular access took longer to get a suitable permanent vascular access when arterio-venous fistulae is placed than with a tunnelled cuffed hemodialysis catheter. As a consequence, vascular access complications are larger, infection ones are the most common. In these patients a tunnelled catheter should be inserted at the time a peripheral arterio- venous access is created, in order to avoid temporary untunnelled catheters

[A comparison of phosphorus-chelating effect of calcium carbonate versus calcium acetate before dialysis]. / Comparación del efecto quelante del fósforo de carbonato vs acetato cálcico en prediálisis.

INTRODUCTION: The hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia and low calcitriol levels are pathogenic factors for secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal failure. The phosphorus control is essential to prevent secondary hyperparathyroidism. There are not comparatives studies to test the efficacy of control of phosphorus binders in predialysis patients. AIM: To compare the efficacy of calcium carbonate vs calcium acetate as phosphate binder in predialysis patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study includes 28 patients with chronic renal failure (mean clearance of creatinine 21 ml/min). Patients were separated into two groups: Group 1: (n = 14) received calcium carbonate 2,500 mg/day (1,000 mg of calcium); Group 2: (n = 14) receives calcium acetate 1,000 mg (254 mg of calcium). Calcium and phosphorus were determined every 4 months; i-PTH, alkaline phosphatase and clearance of creatinine were determined every six months. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable regarding age, renal function, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and i-PTH on basal situation and the end of study were not different. The serum calcium increased, not significantly, in the calcium carbonate group (group 1) [from 9.2 to 9.8 mg/dl (p = 0.05)], however it was not modified in the calcium acetate group (group 2). The serum phosphorus decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in both groups, independently of the calcium levels. Alkaline phosphatase and i-PTH not was modified during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Both calcium carbonate and calcium acetate are similarly effective as phosphate binder. 2) The carbonate group required four fold greater doses of calcium that acetate group. 3) The calcium acetate has less hypercalcemic effect than calcium carbonate.

Comparación del efecto quelante del fósforo de carbonato vs acetato cálcico en prediálisis / Comparation of the binder phosphorus effect of calcium carbonate vs calcium acetate during chronic renal failure before dialysis

Introducción: La hiperfosfatemia, la hipocalcemia y el déficit de calcitriol son factores patogénicos del hiperparatiroidismo secundario de la insuficiencia renal. El control del fósforo es esencial en la prevención del mismo. No existen estudios comparativos de la eficacia de los diferentes quelantes en prediálisis. Objetivo: Comparar la eficacia quelante del carbonato y acetato cálcico en pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica avanzada prediálisis. Material y métodos: Estudiamos 28 pacientes con IRC avanzada (CICr 21 ml/min) divididos en dos grupos: Grupo 1: 14 pacientes que reciben carbonato cálcico a dosis de 2.500 mg/día (1.000 mg de calcio elemento); Grupo 2: 14 pacientes que reciben acetato cálcico a dosis de 1.000 mg (equivalente a 254 mg de calcio elemento). Ambos grupos realizaron dieta baja fósforo. El período de seguimiento fue de 24 meses. Se hicieron determinaciones analíticas de calcio y fósforo trimestral y PTH, F, alcalina y ClCr semestralmente. Resultados: Ambos grupos fueron comparables en edad, CICr, calcio, fósforo, F alcalina y PTH. El calcio sérico se incrementó, aunque no de forma significativa, en el grupo de carbonato cálcico (grupo 1) [de 9,2 a 9,8 mgldl (p = 0,05)J, no modificándose en el grupo de acetato cálcico (grupo 2); el fósforo disminuyó de forma significativa (p < 0,05) en ambos grupos, independientemente de los niveles de calcio. Fosfatasa alcalina y PTH no se modificaron durante el período de estudio. Conclusiones: 1) Tanto carbonato como acetato cálcico se muestran igualmente eficaces como quelantes del fósforo a las dosis administradas. 2) Para obtener el mismo efecto quelante del fósforo, el grupo de carbonato cálcico recibe una dosis de calcio cuatro veces superior a los del grupo de acetato cálcico. 3) El acetato cálcico se muestra discretamente menos hipercalcemiante, sin perder eficacia quelante del fósforo. (AU)