Bidialysis: A new Technique

An increase in solute removal, a shorter dialysis session, the patient's well being and the reduction of global costs are the principal aims of the new hemodialysis methods. The simultaneous use of two hemodialyzers in hemodialysis has been experimented by other researchers. Our technique involves the use of two cuprophan hemodialyzers in sequence (double filter system: DFS), each one connected separately to fresh dialysate.

Fifteen symptomatic large patients were treated with DFS and the results were compared to conventional hemodialysis (CHD). After the first hemodialyzer, modification of pH and electrolytes occurred in the plasma composition. In the second hemodialyzer, urea depuration occurred without further significant changes in hydroelectrolytic or acid-basic plasma patterns. The Kt/V increased from 1.10 to 1.29 (18%).

The authors conclude that in DFS there was an advantage in urea clearance, osmolarity stability and reduction of side effects.

Cardiac Calcium Evaluation in Hemodialysis Patients with Multisection Spiral Computed Tomography

Aim

The aim of this study is cardiac calcium content evaluation in hemodialysis patients by a new technique, based on ultrafast multisection CT (MTC).

Methods

The study was carried out on 30 HD patients, 14F and 16 M, average age 57.7±13.9 years, average HD age 57.3±47.4 months. The intact PTH levels were 625.4±571 pg/mL. Serum calcium, phosphate and CaxP product were 9.75±0.84 mg/mL, 6.21±1.01 mg/dL and 60.2±10.7 mg2/dL2, respectively.

Results

The values obtained with the MTC technique were reported in terms of Agatson scores. Score values frankly in the pathologic range (>100) were found in 24 patients (80%). Correlation analysis has shown positive and significant correlation coefficients of the score with patients’ age (p=0.003), serum calcium (p=0.012), CaxP (p=0.015), iPTH (=0.049), and borderline, to HD age (p=0.06).

Conclusion

Risk factors for cardiac calcification are mainly age, degree of hyperparathyroidism, increased CaxP and serum calcium levels. A control of calcium phosphate parameters in hemodialysis patients seems to be mandatory to avoid increased severity of coronary artery disease.

[Selective adsorption of homocysteine using HFR-on line technique]

Homocysteine (Hcy) is grossly elevated in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Treatment with folic acid and/or vitamin B12 fails to normalize Hcy levels in the majority of patients. Treatment with various dialyzers with different flux characteristics has produced contrasting results. Hemodiafiltration reinfusion (HFR) on-line (double chamber hemodiafiltration (HDF) with regenerated ultrafiltrate reinfusion) is a novel method combining the processes of diffusion, convection and absorbance. The ultrafiltrate is regenerated through a charcoal-resin device. Our aim was to observe the effect of the HFR on-line technique on removing Hcy. We investigated the effect of this treatment on Hcy levels in 10 patients with a mean Hcy level of 57.6 micromol/L (range 24.1-119.7). We measured Hcy, folate and vitamin B12 pre- and post-dialysis and in the ultrafiltrate pre- and post-cartridge at 10, 120 and 240 min. Mean Hcy levels were 57.6 and 35.3 micromol/L (range 9.9-80.3) (p=0.005) pre- and post-dialysis, respectively, while folate and vitamin B12 were unchanged. Pre- and post-cartridge Hcy levels were 11.6 vs 2.5 (p=0.005), 9.3 vs 3.9 (p=0.005), 7.7 vs 4.6 micromol/L (p=0.012) at three time points considered, while folate and vitamin B12 were essentially undetectable. These preliminary data, which need confirmation in a long-term study, seem to indicate that HFR on-line reduces Hcy levels, not only through a possible reduction in uremic toxins, but also through the actual removal of Hcy by absorbance on the charcoal-resin cartridge.

Living donor transplant: wider selection criteria

The availability of cadaveric donor organs is insufficient for actual needs. The organ demand increases by 20% per year. Living donor transplant (LDT) may be a valid therapeutical alternative provided one uses proper criteria. LDT provides many advantages, like improved patient and organ survival, short waiting time, and the possibility to carefully plan the procedure. Potential risks include perioperative mortality and renal dysfunction in the kidney donor. At present, kidney LDTs in Italy represent 8% of the total, with an organ survival rate of 97% after 1 year (vs 93% for cadaveric transplants) and donors mortality rate of almost null. Most LDTs are performed from kinsmen. Presently, law no. 458, 26 June 1967, is in force in Italy for kidney LDT and law no. 453, 16 December 1999, for liver LDT. The foundations of LDT are, of course, the recipient's condition, the donor's motivation, and the altruism of the donation. It is desirable that in the future an increasing number of LDT be performed, supported by a careful, widespread health education regarding organ donation from living subjects and by the possibility to obtain insurance for the donor, which has been considered but never provided by actual laws.

Bidialysis: a new technique

An increase in solute removal, a shorter dialysis session, the patient's well being and the reduction of global costs are the principal aims of the new hemodialysis methods. The simultaneous use of two hemodialyzers in hemodialysis has been experimented by other researchers. Our technique involves the use of two cuprophan hemodialyzers in sequence (double filter system: DFS), each one connected separately to fresh dialysate. Fifteen symptomatic large patients were treated with DFS and the results were compared to conventional hemodialysis (CHD). After the first hemodialyzer, modification of pH and electrolytes occurred in the plasma composition. In the second hemodialyzer, urea depuration occurred without further significant changes in hydroelectrolytic or acid-basic plasma patterns. The Kt/V increased from 1.10 to 1.29 (18%). The authors conclude that in DFS there was an advantage in urea clearance, osmolarity stability and reduction of side effects.

Hemodialysis with two sequential hemodialyzers

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The principal aims of the new hemodialysis methods are: a short-time dialysis session, the increase of solute removal, the patient's well-being and, when possible, the reduction of global costs. Other researchers have experimented the simultaneous use of two hemodialyzers in hemodialysis. We tested a new technique which involves the use of two Cuprophan hemodialyzers in sequence (double filter system: DFS), each one connected separately to fresh dialysate.

METHODS

We treated 15 large patients with DFS and compared the results with conventional hemodialysis (CHD).

RESULTS

Our results showed a significant difference between CHD and DFS in the depuration values. After the first hemodialyzer, modification of pH and electrolytes occurred in the plasma composition. In the second hemodialyzer, urea depuration occurred without further significant changes in hydroelectrolytic and acid-basic plasma patterns. The Kt/V increased from 1.10 to 1.29 (18%).

CONCLUSION

Our technique is conceived for the following goal: to increase the diffusion of solution without increasing costs and side effects.