Journal Watch

  • Lessons from Almost 15,000 PD Catheter Placements

    Of the various PD catheter placement techniques, laparoscopy had higher 6-month mechanical complications, exit site infections, revision, and removal rates, while fluoroscopy had higher rates of sepsis and death. Open surgery had higher rates of catheter displacement.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2023-12-15)

    Tags: PD Catheter Placement Technique, Laparoscopy, Mechanical Complications, Exit Site Infections, Revision, Removal Rates, Fluoroscopy, Sepsis, Death

  • Dietary Protein Intake and Survival on PD

    Among 668 stable PD patients followed for up to 13 years, quarterly 3-day dietary records were collected for 2 ½ years. Dietary protein intake greater than 0.8 g/Kg/day improved long-term survival.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2023-12-15)

    Tags: Dietary Protein, Survival, PD

  • A Home Dialysis Primer for Internists

    Since PD and home HD are increasing in use due to their clinical and practical advantages, clinicians need to understand these treatments. A new primer in the Annual Review of Medicine will help them do just that.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2023-12-15)

    Tags: Home Dialysis, HD, PD, Home Dialysis Primer

  • Perhaps Prophylactic Omentectomy Should be Standard in Pediatric PD Patients

    A meta-analysis of nine studies and 775 patients found significant reductions in catheter obstruction in children who had an omentectomy at the time of PD catheter placement. There was a trend toward reduced rates of PD catheter removal or reinsertion as well.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2023-12-15)

    Tags: Prophylactic Omentectomy, Pediatric PD, Catheter Obstruction

  • Should We Drop PD “Adequacy” as a Measure?

    New ISPD guidelines suggest that patient well-being should be the goal of the PD prescription, not target urea or creatinine clearances. Identification of solutes that cause uremic symptoms could help devise ways to limit their accumulation.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2023-12-15)

    Tags: ISPD Guidelines, Patient Well being, PD Prescription, Uremic Symptoms

  • High Ultrafiltration Volumes May Contribute to Pruritus

    Could changes in skin perfusion and inflammation play a role in dialysis itching? An observational study of 392 patients looked at self-reports of pruritus severity and UF volumes. BMI and UF volume independently predicted pruritis severity.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2023-12-15)

    Tags: Ultrafiltration Volume, UF Volume, BMI, Pruritus, Skin Perfusion, Inflammation

  • The PD Surprise Question Predicts Transfer to HD

    An observational study of 1,275 PD patients in 35 programs asking the RN and treating nephrologist, “Would you be surprised if this patient transferred to HD in the next 6 months?” identified 15% as high risk. After 6 months, the transfer to HD rate was nearly four times higher in the high risk group than the low risk group.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2023-12-15)

    Tags: PD, Home Dialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis, Surprise Question

  • How to Set Up New Home Dialysis Programs

    More than half of U.S. dialysis clinics are either not licensed to train patients in PD or home HD, or are licensed but have no patients in their home programs. A new review article outlines the core domains needed to set up and run a home dialysis program in the U.S.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2023-11-15)

    Tags: Home Dialysis Program, PD Training, Home HD Training

  • Steady Glucose Concentration in PD and Sodium Removal

    In a small pilot study (n=8), two fast-average and six fast transporters used a standard 4-hour CAPD dwell as a control, and three 5-hour steady-concentration treatments using the Carry Life® UF device following an overnight icodextrin fill as the intervention. UF rates were significantly higher with the steady glucose concentration treatments, as were sodium removal and glucose UF efficiency.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2023-11-15)

    Tags: PD, Glucose Concentration, Sodium Removal

  • Assisted PD in Europe

    Not every PD patient can perform solo treatments—or has a care partner to help. Some European countries are offering assisted PD in the home, often temporarily, using a variety of PD prescriptions and care provided by private care agencies or nursing home staff. Tailoring the prescription to residual kidney function reduces PD burden and aids technique survival.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2023-11-15)

    Tags: Assisted PD