Journal Watch

  • Some WILL Choose More Intensive HD—If They Learn the Benefits

    In the UK, a new study of 183 in-center HD patients finds that 60+% would consider doing 4 treatments per week or 4.5 hours per treatment. Information about longer survival, better quality of life, and fewer fluid limits and access complications were all significantly linked with choosing longer and/or more frequent treatments.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2022-06-10)

    Tags: In center HD, Dialysis Regimen, Quality Of Life

  • Surprise Supplement Reduced Risk of Peritonitis on PD

    Does correction of hypokalemia with potassium supplementation impact peritonitis rates? Yes, finds a new randomized controlled trial of 167 PD patients with hypokalemia from six clinics. Compared to conventional potassium management, use of a protocol aimed at maintaining potassium levels at 4-5mEq/L significantly extended time to first peritonitis.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2022-06-10)

    Tags: Hypokalemia, Potassium Supplementation, Peritonitis

  • Risk of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Tied to Fluid Overload on PD

    A single hospital had 226 enrolled PD patients between late 2018 and January 2021. Using bioimpedance analysis and cardiac color Doppler ultrasound, patients were divided into an LVF and a non-LVF group, and into a normal volume and overhydration group. Of participants, 125 (55.3%) had LVH. Overhydration and low hemoglobin levels were independent risk factors for LVH.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2022-06-10)

    Tags: PD, LVH, Overhydration, Volume Loads

  • In Which Countries Do People Stay on PD Longer?

    The Peritoneal Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (PDOPPS) analyzed time on PD among 218 randomly chosen clinics and 7,121 patients in seven countries including the U.S. Median time on PD ranged from 1.7 years in the UK to 3.2 years in Japan and Thailand. PD mortality risk was higher in Thailand and the U.S., and infection was the leading cause of transfers to HD.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2022-06-10)

    Tags: Peritoneal Dialysis Outcomes And Practice Patterns Study, PDOPPS, PD, Mortality, Hemodialysis Transfer, Kidney Transplantation

  • Early Data from the Physidia Home HD Machine

    The Physicia S3 is a new home HD machine in France that uses bagged fluid. A new proof-of-concept study enrolled 13 training centers and analyzed data from 80 patients and 249 treatment sessions. Dialysis dose, anemia, nutrition, and electrolytes were all adequately controlled.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2022-05-12)

    Tags: Physicia S3, Bagged Fluid, End stage Kidney Disease, Portable Artificial Kidney

  • Home-to-Home Dialysis Transition

    When PD or home HD do not work out, people tend to end up in-center. In one clinic, of 911 home dialysis patients with technique failure, just 28 made a home-to-home transition over a 24-year period. Technique and patient survival were comparable, though hospitalizations and temporary in-center HD were common.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2022-05-12)

    Tags: Home Dialysis, In center, Technique Failure, Home to home Transition

  • Meta-analysis of Omental Procedures with PD Catheter Placement

    Should removal (omentectomy) or fixation in place (omentopexy) of the curtain of omentum tissue be routine when a PD catheter is placed? In 15 studies (with low-to-moderate evidence), omental procedures reduced the risk of a need to remove the PD catheter. There were no differences in catheter malposition, migration, or peritonitis.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2022-05-12)

    Tags: Omentectomy, Omentopexy, Omentum Tissue, PD Catheter, Catheter Malposition, Migration, Peritonitis

  • Urgent Start PD Takes on Urgent Start HD—Which One Wins?

    A new meta-analysis examines survival vs. urgent start HD (which is experienced by an estimated 50%-60% of U.S. dialyzors). Pooled data from seven studies identified “a statistically significant reduced risk of all-cause mortality in patients undergoing urgent-start PD as compared to urgent-start HD.” While infectious complications did not differ, there was a significantly reduced risk of mechanical complications with PD.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2022-05-12)

    Tags: Urgent Start PD, Urgent Start HD, Survival, All cause Mortality, Mechanical Complications

  • Frequent HD Reduces Recovery Time in SNF Patients

    Getting at least 14 hours of HD per week and more frequent HD reduced recovery time in skilled nursing facility residents between 2019 and 2021. Among 2,309 people, 92% of those who had a mean of 4.3 weekly HD treatments recovered in 2 hours or less. The odds of short recovery time were even better with 5 treatments per week—and rapid recovery was linked with less risk of hospitalization or death.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2022-04-18)

    Tags: Recovery Time, HD, Frequent HD

  • PD Reduced Hospitalization 24% vs. In-center HD with a Catheter

    In an 18-month retrospective study, 717 PD patients were matched 1:1 with in-center HD patients using central venous catheters. The matching also included cause of ESKD, race, diabetes status, and insurance. The hospitalization rate was 24% lower for those on PD, and mortality was 15% lower.

    Read the abstract » | (added 2022-04-18)

    Tags: PD, In center HD, Catheters, Cause Of ESKD, Race, Diabetes Status, Insurance, Hospitalization Rate, Mortality