Pre-clinical myocardial metabolic alterations in chronic kidney disease.

UNLABELLED: The risk for cardiovascular events conferred by decreased renal function is curvilinear with exponentially greater increases in risk as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) declines. In 13 non-diabetic pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, we employed quantitative F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) as a means to measure myocardial metabolic changes. METHODS: Dynamic cardiac FDG PET images were acquired after 6 h fasting and glucose loading. Corrections for attenuation, scatter, randoms, dead time and decay were applied to the PET data and myocardial glucose utilization (MGU) was calculated using the Patlak method in conjunction with standardized myocardial regions of interest and an image-derived input function (left atrium). MGU was compared with eGFR based on a serum creatinine drawn within 2 weeks of the study date. RESULTS: MGU was relatively uniform between the myocardial sectors (coefficient of variation = 16.2 +/- 6.8%) within each patient. Between patients, whole myocardium MGU varied considerably with a range of 37.3-156.2 micromol/min/100 g and a mean of 68.9 +/- 38.3 mumol/min/ 100 g. eGFR ranged from 11-89 ml/min/1.73 m(2) with a mean of 42.8 +/- 26.9 ml/min/1.73 m(2). There was an inverse correlation between whole myocardium MGU and eGFR (Spearman's rho correlation = -0.615, p = 0.025). In multivariate analysis, the relationship between MGU and eGFR was sustained with adjustment for age, race and gender (adjusted beta = -1.56 +/- 0.48, p = 0.01). There was no correlation between cardiac workload and eGFR (p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: A significant inverse correlation between MGU and eGFR is supportive of the hypothesis that CKD is associated with myocardial metabolic changes, which could not be attributed to demographic factors or cardiac workload. Dynamic FDG PET could provide a sensitive, non-invasive, quantitative tool for investigating pre-clinical myocardial abnormalities in patients with CKD.

Survival after in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: The use of postarrest variables to predict survival after discharge following in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation has not been definitive. This study evaluates whether the duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other variables affect discharge rates and survival rates after discharge. METHODS: Prospective cohort survival data and arrest variables were collected, including initial observed rhythm, duration of CPR, time of arrest, and number of arrests. Arrests on unmonitored general medical units, monitored telemetry units, and critical care units were included. Outcome measures were: survival after CPR, 24 hours post-CPR, survival to discharge, and to six months postdischarge. RESULTS: At both discharge and six months after discharge, ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia were associated with better survival rates than other initial rhythms (P < 0.001). There were significantly higher survival rates (P < 0.001) for those receiving CPR for < or =10 minutes as compared with those receiving CPR >10 minutes. Multiple versus single arrests and monitored versus unmonitored arrests approached significance. The time of day of the arrest was not a significant factor. CONCLUSIONS: Duration of CPR >10 minutes was predictive of significantly decreased survival to discharge and six months postdischarge. Low six-month survival rates may reflect the relatively high proportion of initial rhythms other than ventricular in the study group.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: Indian scenario.

Chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) has been initiated as a treatment modality for chronic renal failure patients in the Indian subcontinent since 1990. Over a period of 9 years both continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) have emerged as accepted forms of renal replacement therapy in our country. Although there were government restrictions on import of dialysis fluid until 1993, the availability of locally manufactured fluid in collapsible bags had facilitated the expansion of the programme to the far corners of the country and in neighbouring countries. Initially majority (78%) of the patients who were started on this programme were diabetics with other comorbid conditions who were drop-outs from haemodialysis and unfit for transplantation. Both CAPD and CCPD have been used for all age groups and for men and women. Majority of the patients do 3 x 2 l exchanges a day on CAPD; 8-10 l using a cycler at night those who are onCCPD. Peritonitis rate was 1 episode every 18 patient months. With the introduction of new connection and disposable sets the incidence of peritonitis is dropping down. The major cause of drop-out is cardiovascular death followed by peritonitis. Malnutrition is a major problem in both CAPD and haemodialysis patients. The programme has been expanded and there are over one thousand patients on this treatment in the country. The introduction of CPD had a major impact on the treatment of renal failure in India.