Journal Watch
The Better to See You With, My Dear
Would you rather have a surgeon feel where a PD catheter should go—or see what s/he is doing? Researchers tried an optical puncture system on 25 patients between 2018 and 2019, while 40 patients had routine placements. Even though more of the optical patients had prior abdominal surgeries, catheter placement took less time and had a similar rate of complications.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-02-09)
Tags: Peritoneal Dialysis, Catheter, Optical Puncture System
Chevron and Butterfly Taping Reduces Venous Needle Dislodgement in HD
Every clinic seems to have its own preferred method of taping HD needles to prevent dislodgement. This important new study tested Chevron, Butterfly and Overlapping tape patterns in a mechanical engineering laboratory to measure the adhesive force and ability to withstand dislodgement and lateral stress.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-01-12)
Tags: Dialysis, Hemodialysis
Yet Another Study Demonstrates the Superiority of Home HD over In-Center
A cohort registry study matched 181 home HD patients with 413 in-center HD patients in Australia and New Zealand by age, gender, and cause of ESKD. After adjusting for BMI, smoking, race, and comorbidities, home HD had almost half the death risk of in-center HD, as well as significantly lower phosphate levels. Both groups had similar rates of transplant and graft survival 6 months after a transplant.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-01-12)
Mobile Health Readiness of Home vs. In-Center Dialysis Patients
Smartphones and other mobile devices can be used to deliver health messages. In a survey of 949 patients from 14 home and 21 in-center dialysis clinics, 81% had mobile devices to get online, and 72% used the Internet, some (18%) despite concerns about data privacy and security. Younger, non-Hispanic, and more educated patients were more likely to use mobile health, and working patients had the highest rates of proficiency. After adjustment, in-center and home patients were equally proficient with mobile health.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-01-12)
Tags: Kidney Disease, Hemodialysis, Telehealth, Telemedicine
Will Silicone Be the Future of HD Membranes?
Silicone nanoporous membranes (SNMs) have an average pore size of 8 nanometers. Tested with urea and creatinine, the new material was able to clear about 81% of high concentration uremic toxins in 45 minutes. This material could make more compact and portable dialysis systems possible.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-01-12)
Tags: Silanization, Silicon Nanoporous
Remote Monitoring May Reduce PD Technique Failure
In a study looking back at 558 adult APD patients, 148 who had used remote monitoring were matched to 148 patients from the 410 who had not. The researchers found a significantly lower rate of PD technique failure in the remote-monitored group. More studies are needed.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-01-12)
Tags: Technique Failure, Telemedicine.
New Xylitol-based PD Fluid with L-Carnitine May be More Biocompatible
It is ironic that the glucose-based fluid that made PD possible can also harm the membrane so it stops working. A new PD fluid uses xylitol and l-carnitine to remove water instead of glucose. When tested on human cells, the new fluid kept more cells alive and reduced inflammation.
Read the abstract » | (added 2021-01-12)
Are In-center Hemodialysis Patients Interested in Self-Care?
In-center self-care can be a bridge to home hemodialysis. A survey of 91 patients and 31 nurses revealed higher interest among the patients than the nurses (2.43+0.93 vs. 2.19+0.77). Patients also considered themselves to be capable of performing self-care tasks. Greater interest and perceived capability were linked with years of education, patient activation, disease severity, and age.
Read the abstract » | (added 2020-12-10)
Tags: Renal Dialysis, Self‐care, Self‐management
Exercise May Improve Residual Kidney Function in PD
A post-hoc study of a 12-week randomized controlled trial of home exercise for PD patients eliminated those with anuria (n=18) and analyzed 13 patients in the usual care group and 16 in the exercise group. Two RKF markers, liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) and the microalbumin-to-creatinine ratio, were significantly lower in the exercise group.
Read the abstract » | (added 2020-12-10)
The Influence of Perceptions on PD Burnout
A focus group study conducted with 81 PD patients and 45 care partners in Australia, Hong Kong, and the United States identified relentlessness and feeling overwhelmed by daily responsibilities as a factor in burnout. Building resilience and finding a new normal and meaning in other activities may be protective.
Read the abstract » | (added 2020-12-10)