Treatment of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis

Science has not yet shed light on how to prevent EPS. But, this review covers treatments for the rare and devastating condition. These include steroids, tamoxifen, and the immunosuppressants sirolimus or everolimus (at transplant blood levels). Surgery may also be needed.

Read the abstract » | (added 2014-01-08)

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PD catheter fixation is helpful

In a series of 53 patients, placing PD catheters laparoscopically and fixing the catheter in place reduced catheter migration and other complications, was faster and less invasive than open placement, and led to shorter recover times.

Read the abstract » | (added 2014-01-08)

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Home HD: A good start's the key

A look at 95 home HD patients found that those who started treatment in the hospital or with a catheter had far higher rates of hospital stays, changing to another treatment, or death than those who had better starts. For both new patients and those coming to dialysis from a failed transplant, a planned home HD start with a permanent access led to better outcomes.

Read the abstract » | (added 2013-12-10)

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Ultrathin silicon membranes for wearable dialysis.

A wearable artificial kidney will need a membrane efficient enough to remove a lot of toxins in a small device. This article explains the technical details of porous nanocrystalline silicon made into chips. Pore size can be controlled to keep albumin in but let middle molecules out, like a healthy kidney. Special coatings that repel water keep proteins from adhering to the membrane.

Read the abstract » | (added 2013-12-10)

Tags: Chronic kidney disease

PD fluid: Does less sugar lead to better outcomes?

A recent randomized, controlled trial with 251 patients combined two studies of standard vs. low-glucose PD fluids. The study looked at hemoglobin A1c levels. In the low-glucose fluid group, A1c and triglyceride levels dropped and lipid profiles improved. But...there were more serious events and deaths in this group due to fluid overload. So, the low-glucose fluid was better for blood sugar and lipids, but with a higher risk of fluid problems. The authors suggest that if low-glucose fluids (like icodextrin) are used, it is vital to watch fluid levels closely.

Read the abstract » | (added 2013-12-10)

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Urgent-start PD: A how-to guide

Many nephrologists would choose PD for themselves. But few patients start on it, in part because ESRD may be found so late that dialysis is imminent. If only PD starts could be as done as easily as HD catheter placements... As it turns out, PD can be started on an urgent basis, and this approach is starting to pick up speed. This article reviews the literature, ways to overcome challenges, and the possible impact of changing the paradigm away from a default of standard in-center HD.

Read the abstract » | (added 2013-12-10)

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Stacking up intensive HD against standard in-center HD

We know that the risk of death is far higher for patients after two days with no HD. Do longer and/or more frequent HD regimens successfully address this problem and save lives? This review compares the impact of different HD regimens on a number of factors, including access problems, burden of therapy, quality of life, residual kidney function, heart disease, bone disease, anemia, hospitalization, and survival.

Read the abstract » | (added 2013-11-06)

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Is there a new way to prevent PD infections? Sorry, honey

Honey has a long history of helping to heal wounds—with no risk of antibiotic resistance. But, a recent trial of the sweet stuff in PD exit site infections did not show a benefit. Researchers asked 186 patients from 26 clinics in Australia and New Zealand to put purified honey on their exit sites, while a control group (185 people) used standard care (or mupirocin if they carried S aureus). The time to first infection was about the same in both groups.

Read the abstract » | (added 2013-11-06)

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PD First. It makes sense!

Why is the default US dialysis standard in-center HD, when it doesn't offer the best outcomes, costs more, and offers a poor quality of life? That's the question asked in a new review article that points out the benefits of a PD first strategy. Rather than allowing ease of HD initiation to drive treatment "choice," it makes sense to change the default initiation option to PD.

Read the abstract » | (added 2013-11-06)

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One type of PD catheter offers a significant survival advantage

Coiled? Swan neck? Straight? As it turns out, the catheter shape does matter. A new metaanalysis of 13 randomized controlled trials found that both catheters and people were twice as likely to survive when catheters were straight—not coiled.

Read the abstract » | (added 2013-11-06)

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