A New Cycler for Automated Peritoneal Dialysis to Provide Efficient Dialysis and Improved Sleep Quality.

INTRODUCTION: Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) employs cyclers to control inflow and outflow of the dialysis fluid to the patient's abdomen. To allow more patients to use this modality, cyclers should support the achievement of an adequate dialysis dose and be easy to use, cost-effective, and silent. The new SILENCIA cycler (Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany), designed to improve these characteristics in comparison to its predecessor device, was evaluated in this respect in a prospective study. METHODS: This cross-over study comprised two 2-week study periods, separated by a 3-week training phase. First, patients underwent APD with their current cycler (PD-NIGHT [Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany] or HomeChoice Pro [Baxter, Deerfield, IL, USA] as control), followed by training on the SILENCIA cycler. Then, patients were switched to the SILENCIA cycler. During each treatment period, we collected data on total Kt/Vurea, ultrafiltration (UF) volume, patient-reported outcomes (sleep quality, among others), and device handling. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were enrolled; 2 patients terminated the study prematurely before study intervention, 1 patient due to a protocol violation. In 13 patients, total Kt/Vurea and UF could be evaluated. Neither Kt/Vurea nor UF differed significantly between control and SILENCIA cyclers. Out of 10 patients answering the questionnaire on sleep quality after the 2-week phase with the SILENCIA cycler, sleep quality improved in 5 patients; in the other patients, sleep quality was rated unchanged compared to the previously used cycler. The average reported sleep time was 5.9 ± 1.8 h with the PD-NIGHT, 7.2 ± 2.1 h with HomeChoice Pro, and 8.0 ± 1.6 h with the SILENCIA cycler. All patients were much or very much satisfied with the new cycler. CONCLUSION: The SILENCIA cycler delivers adequate urea clearance and UF. Importantly, sleep quality improved, possibly related to less caution messages and alarms.

Optimizing dialysis dose in the context of frailty: an exploratory study.

INTRODUCTION: Frailty is a multicausal syndrome characterized by a decrease in strength, resistance and physiological function, which makes the individual vulnerable and dependent, and increases his/her mortality. This syndrome is more prevalent among older individuals, and chronic kidney disease patients, particularly those on dialysis. Dialysis dose is currently standardized for hemodialysis (HD) patients regardless of their age and functional status. However, it has been postulated that the dialysis dose required in older patients, especially frail ones, should be lower, since it could increase their degree of frailty. Then, the purpose of this study was to evaluate if there would be a correlation between the dose of Kt/V and the degree of frailty in a population of adult patients on HD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 82 patients on HD in Barranquilla (Colombia) and Lobos (Argentina) was conducted. Socio-demographic and laboratory data, as well as dialysis doses (Kt/V) were recorded and scales of fragility, physical activity, gait and grip strength were applied. Then these data were correlated by a Spearman's correlation and a logistic regression. RESULTS: CFS, social isolation, physical activity, gait speed, and prehensile strength tests were outside the reference ranges in the studied group. No significant correlation was found between dialysis dose and all the above mentioned functional tests. However, a significant and inverse correlation between physical activity and CFS was documented (score - 1.41 (CI - 2.1 to - 0.7). CONCLUSION: No significant correlation was documented between Kt/V value and different parameters of the frailty status, but this status correlated significantly and inversely with physical activity in this group. Frailty status in hemodialysis patients was significantly higher in older individuals, although young individuals were not exempt from it.

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Dosing in the Severely Underweight: A Case Report.

Guidelines recommend that patients treated with continuous renal replacement therapy be delivered an effluent dose of 20 to 25 mL/kg/h. There is debate, especially at the extremes of body mass index, as to whether actual or ideal body weight (IBW) should be used in these dose calculations. A middle-aged woman with severe anorexia presented with 48 hours of altered mental status. Laboratory tests showed severe metabolic acidosis necessitating intubation, which was ultimately found to be due to nonprescribed use of metformin for weight loss. The patient became anuric and was initiated on continuous venovenous hemodialysis. Due to refractory acidosis, the modality was converted to continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration by adding postfilter hypertonic bicarbonate solution. Based on changes in sodium and bicarbonate levels over 4 hours with hypertonic bicarbonate solution, we were able to calculate an "effective" volume of distribution for this severely underweight patient. Our calculations suggest that IBW gives a better approximation of effective volume of distribution than actual body weight in a severely underweight woman. Inadequate effluent flow rate calculated based on actual rather than IBW may lead to insufficient correction of metabolic derangements in extremely underweight patients.

[Inadequate doses of hemodialysis. Predisposing factors, causes and prevention]. / Dosis de hemodiálisis subóptima. Factores predisponentes, causas y prevención.

Patients receiving sub-optimal dose of hemodialysis have increased morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study were to identify predisposing factors and causes of inadequate dialysis, and to design a practical algorithm for the management of these patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Ninety patients in chronic hemodialysis at Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba were included, during September 2015. Twenty two received sub-optimal dose of hemodialysis. Those with urea distribution volume (V) greater than 40 l (72 kg body weight approximately) are 11 times more likely (OR = 11.6; CI 95% = 3.2 to 51.7, p < 0.0001) to receive an inadequate dose of hemodialysis, than those with a smaller V. This situation is more frequent in men (OR = 3.5; 95% CI 1.01-15.8; p = 0.0292). V greater than 40 l was the only independent predictor of sub-dialysis in the multivariate analysis (OR = 10.3; 95% CI 2.8-37; p < 0.0004). The main cause of suboptimal dialysis was receiving a lower blood flow (Qb) than the prescribed (336.4 ± 45.8 ml/min vs. 402.3 ± 28.8 ml/min respectively, p < 0.0001) (n = 18). Other causes were identified: shorter duration of the session (n = 2), vascular access recirculation (n = 1), and error in the samples (n = 1). In conclusion, the only independent predisposing factor found in this study for sub-optimal dialysis is V greater than 40 l. The main cause was receiving a slower Qb than prescribed. From these findings, an algorithm for the management of these patients was developed.

Dosis de hemodiálisis sub-óptima: Factores predisponentes, causas y prevención / Inadequate doses of hemodialysis. Predisposing factors, causes and prevention

Los pacientes que reciben dosis sub-óptima de hemodiálisis tienen mayor morbimortalidad. El objetivo del trabajo fue identificar los factores predisponentes y las principales causas de diálisis inadecuada y diseñar un algoritmo para aplicar en estos casos. Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal. Se incluyeron 90 pacientes en hemodiálisis crónica, en el Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba, en septiembre 2015. Veintidós recibieron una dosis sub-óptima de hemodiálisis. Aquellos con un volumen de distribución de urea (V) mayor a 40 l (72 kg de peso corporal aproximadamente), tienen 11 veces mayores posibilidades (OR = 11.6; IC95% = 3.2-51.7, p < 0.0001) de recibir una dosis inadecuada de hemodiálisis que los que tienen un V menor a esa cifra; y los hombres 3 veces más probabilidad que las mujeres (OR = 3.5; IC95% 1.0-15.8; p = 0.0292). El V mayor a 40 l fue el único factor independiente predictor de sub-diálisis en el análisis multivariado (OR = 10.3; IC95% 2.8-37; p = 0.0004). La principal causa de diálisis sub-óptima fue recibir un flujo sanguíneo (Qb) menor al prescripto (336.4 ± 45.8 vs. 402.3 ± 28.8 ml/min, respectivamente, p < 0.0001) (n = 18). Otras causas fueron: menor duración de la sesión (n = 2), recirculación del acceso vascular (n = 1) y error en las muestras (n = 1). En conclusión, el único factor independiente predisponente de sub-diálisis fue el V mayor a 40 l. La principal causa de diálisis inadecuada fue recibir un Qb menor al prescripto. A partir de estos hallazgos, se desarrolla un algoritmo para aplicar en estos casos.

Patients receiving sub-optimal dose of hemodialysis have increased morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study were to identify predisposing factors and causes of inadequate dialysis, and to design a practical algorithm for the management of these patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Ninety patients in chronic hemodialysis at Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba were included, during September 2015. Twenty two received sub-optimal dose of hemodialysis. Those with urea distribution volume (V) greater than 40 l (72 kg body weight approximately) are 11 times more likely (OR = 11.6; CI 95% = 3.2 to 51.7, p < 0.0001) to receive an inadequate dose of hemodialysis, than those with a smaller V. This situation is more frequent in men (OR = 3.5; 95% CI 1.01-15.8; p = 0.0292). V greater than 40 l was the only independent predictor of sub-dialysis in the multivariate analysis (OR = 10.3; 95% CI 2.8-37; p < 0.0004). The main cause of suboptimal dialysis was receiving a lower blood flow (Qb) than the prescribed (336.4 ± 45.8 ml/min vs. 402.3 ± 28.8 ml/min respectively, p < 0.0001) (n = 18). Other causes were identified: shorter duration of the session (n = 2), vascular access recirculation (n = 1), and error in the samples (n = 1). In conclusion, the only independent predisposing factor found in this study for sub-optimal dialysis is V greater than 40 l. The main cause was receiving a slower Qb than prescribed. From these findings, an algorithm for the management of these patients was developed.

Avaliação da eficiência dialítica através da quantificação direta do dialisato em pacientes com insuficiência renal aguda submetidos à hemodiálise prolongada / Evaluation of dialysis efficiency by direct dialysate quantificationin acute renal failure patients submitted to extended hemodialysis

Introdução: A melhor forma de quantificar a dose de diálise em pacientes com insuficiência renal aguda (IRA) ainda não está estabelecida. O b j e t i v o s :Avaliar a dose de diálise recebida pela maneira tradicional (PRU e Kt/V) e através da quantificação direta do dialisato em pacientes com IRA. M é t o d o s :A dose de diálise foi quantificada pelo percentual de redução de uréia (PRU), Kt/V (spKt/V e eKt/V) e massa extraída de uréia no dialisato (coleta parcialpor dispositivo automatizado) em pacientes com IRA submetidos à hemodiálise prolongada em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). Pacientes cominsuficiência renal crônica (IRC) em programa de diálise serviram como grupo controle. Resultados: Foram realizadas 11 sessões de hemodiáliseprolongada em 8 pacientes com IRA e 8 sessões de hemodiálise convencional em 5 pacientes com IRC. O PRU foi maior nos pacientes com IRC (67%;62-74% v s 54%; 37-57%; P<0,01), assim como o spKt/V (1,31;1,15-1,62 vs 0,90;0,55-1,01; P<0,01) e o eKt/V (1,15; 1,03-1,44 vs 0,69;0,47-0,92; P<0,01).Não houve diferença com relação à massa extraída de uréia no dialisato entre as sessões de hemodiálise convencional (32,6 g; 24,4-56,1) e prolongada(31,8 g; 18,2-88,8). Conclusões: Apesar da maior dose de diálise recebida nos pacientes com IRC, quando avaliada pelo PRU e Kt/V, não houvediferença na massa extraída de uréia no dialisato. Possivelmente, os valores de normalidade definidos pelo método clássico de cinética de uréia parapacientes com IRC não se aplicam a pacientes com IRA e a aferição da dose de diálise pelo dialisato pode ser uma alternativa viável nestes pacientes.

Introduction: The best way for dialysis quantification in patients with acute renal failure (ARF) is not defined. Objectives: Evaluate the delivered dialysisdose by the traditional methods (URR and Kt/V) and by the direct dialysate quantification in patients with acute renal failure. Methods: The dialysis dosewas measured by urea reduction rate (URR), Kt/V (spKt/V, eKt/V) and urea extracted mass in the dialysate (partial dialysate collection by automatic device)in acute renal failure (ARF) patients submitted to extended dialysis in intensive care unit (ICU). Chronic renal failure (CRF) patients were the control group.Results: Eleven extended hemodialysis sessions in eight patients with ARF and eight conventional hemodialysis sessions in five CRF patients wereevaluated. The URR was higher in CRF patients (67%; 62-74% vs 54%; 37-57%; P<0.01) as the spKt/V (1.31;1.15-1.62 vs 0.90;0.55-1.01; P<0.01) andeKt/V (1.15; 1.03-1.44 vs 0.69;0.47-0.92; P<0.01). There was no difference regarding the urea extracted mass in the dialysate in the conventional (32.6 g;24.4-56.1) and extended hemodialysis (31.8 g; 18.2-88.8). Conclusions: In spite of CRF patients have received a higher dialysis dose when evaluated byURR and Kt/V, there was no difference in the urea extracted mass in the dialysate. The classical urea kinetic model may be not applicable for ARF patientsand the evaluation of the dialysate can be an alternative for measurement of dialysis dose in these patients.