Background: Use of uncuffed catheters (UCs) in hemodialysis patients is common practice. An antibiotic lock has been recommended to prevent catheter-related bacteremia (CRB), although insufficient data are available about the appropriate antimicrobial agent and dose with prolonged use of UCs. Methods: This open-label randomized study was conducted to compare gentamicin/heparin (group A) and taurolidine/citrate (group B), as catheter-lock solutions, in 119 chronic hemodialysis patients in whom a total of 150 UCs were placed. A well-matched historical control group (heparin) included 67 UCs in 58 patients (group C). Results: CRB episodes developed in 6 and 8 patients in groups A and B, respectively, significantly fewer than in group C (20 patients). Cumulative CRB-free catheter survival at 90 days was 82% for A and 78% for B, which is significantly higher than the 26% for C. Similar Gram-positive infection rates were found in all groups. The Gram-negative infection rate was significantly lower in B compared to C. No significant differences in thrombosis rates were observed between the groups. Conclusions: Gentamicin/heparin and taurolidine/citrate, used for locking UC, were similarly effective at preventing CRB and catheter thrombosis for up to 3 months, until a functional permanent vascular access became available. Both antimicrobial lock solutions were superior to heparin in CRB prevention with similar thrombosis rates.

Sevelamer hydrochloride (SH) has been reported to aggravate metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia. This study was performed to evaluate acid-base status and serum potassium changes after replacing SH with lanthanum carbonate (LC) in hemodialysis patients. SH was prescribed for 24 weeks in 14 stable hemodialysis patients and replaced by LC in a similar treatment schedule. Laboratory tests, including indices of acid-base status, nutrition, bone/mineral metabolism, and dialysis adequacy, were performed monthly during the study. Dialysate bicarbonate, potassium and calcium concentrations remained constant. Serum bicarbonate and pH rose, and serum potassium dropped significantly under LC. Alkaline phosphatase also decreased significantly under LC. No significant differences were observed in the other studied parameters between the two treatment periods. Control of serum phosphate was similar under both phosphate-binders and no differences were observed in calcium, Ca × P product, CRP, or lipid levels. Dialysis adequacy was constantly kept within K/DOQI target-range. Although full compliance to treatment was reported, three patients on LC complained of gastrointestinal upset and/or a metallic taste, and four had difficulty chewing the LC tablet. LC improves metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia in hemodialysis patients previously under SH. Although both medications are well-tolerated, the gastrointestinal side-effects appear to occur more frequently with LC; a fact that, together with difficulties in chewing the tablet, may result in decreased compliance.

BackgroundContrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common cause of hospital-acquired acute kidney injury (AKI). Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) represents a promising biomarker for AKI. Its role in the early diagnosis of CIN has already been examined in adults and children undergoing coronary angiography. This study was designed to prospectively evaluate plasma NGAL compared with serum creatinine (SCr) for early CIN detection among hospitalized patients undergoing contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT).MethodsWe prospectively enrolled consecutive hospitalized patients undergoing elective CT with intravenous (IV), low-osmolar contrast administration. Patients with pre-procedure SCr >150 μmol/L (1.7 mg/dL), congestive heart failure, haemodynamic instability, sepsis, or urinary tract infection were excluded. Plasma NGAL was measured using the standardized Triage® NGAL test (Biosite Incorporated, San Diego, CA, USA) at baseline and 6 h post-procedure. SCr, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin and sodium (Na) were measured and eGFR MDRD4 was calculated at the same intervals, as well as at 24 and 48 h post-procedure. CIN was defined as an increase in SCr of >25% or >44 μmol/L (0.5 mg/dL) from baseline within 48 h post-procedure, in the absence of other obvious causes.ResultsForty-seven patients, male/female 27/20, median age 68 (31–88) years, 16/47 diabetics, with baseline SCr 91.94 ± 20.33 μmol/L (1.04 ± 0.23 mg/dL) and eGFR MDRD4 68.40 ± 18.22 mL/min/1.73 m2 were enrolled. A contrast volume of 120 mL (range 100–150 mL) was administered. CIN was found in four subjects (8.51%), but detection by SCr was only possible 24 h in 1 and 48 h post-procedure in three. In contrast, significant elevation of plasma NGAL was found at 6 h post-procedure in those with versus those without CIN (779.25 ± 361.49 versus 82.30 ± 40.64 ng/mL, P < 0.001). Using a cutoff value of 200 ng/mL, sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 6-h plasma NGAL for CIN prediction were excellent (100, 100 and 1.00%, respectively). Subjects with CIN did not differ in baseline demographics, renal function and diabetes status compared with those without CIN. No differences in any variable were noted between diabetics and non-diabetics. Plasma NGAL at 6 h (R2 = 0.24, P < 0.001) was found to be an independent predictor of CIN.ConclusionsPlasma NGAL 6 h after contrast administration measured by the rapid, point-of-care Triage® NGAL test appears to be a useful biomarker in the early prediction of CIN among hospitalized patients undergoing elective contrast-enhanced CT. However, the small sample size and the very small number of CIN events are important limitations. In any case, according to our evaluation, CIN incidence in this well-controlled population underlines the importance of early detection by an adequate and simple procedure such as the 6-h plasma NGAL test.

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Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis is a rare condition of a poorly understood pathogenesis with recognized risk factors, such as medications, surgical interventions, systemic diseases, and malignancies. In endstage renal disease it has been associated with chronic peritoneal dialysis. We hereby report the case of a 59-year-old male hemodialysis patient, who was never treated with peritoneal dialysis and developed an unexplained massive ascites 4 months post laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstones. A second laparoscopy and histological evaluation revealed encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis-like findings with parietal peritoneum and spleen involvement. The patient was successfully treated for 12 months with prednisone and tamoxifen. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms of the disease in this case are discussed including peritoneal irritation by chronic cholecystitis, low-grade inflammation of hemodialysis, intraoperative complications and the hypothetical role of oxidized regenerated cellulose used for hemostasis. In conclusion, the suspicion of peritoneal sclerosis should be encountered in cases of unexplained ascites in patients undergoing hemodialysis. The early diagnosis includes laparoscopy and histological evaluation and can result in a good outcome under medical treatment; otherwise, there is a high possibility of bowel obstruction with fatal outcome.