This study presents an average follow up per patient of 33.5 ± 3.7 and 70.1 ± 5.9 months (hospital and home dialysis) showing an actuarial fistula survival rate of 86.2% and 85.5% respectively after 5 years. The data suggest a satisfactory survival rate of the fistula when a single needle technique is used in comparison to the survival observed with the two needles technique.

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A simple method of plasma exchange is presented that uses a hollow-fiber plasma filter together with conventional unipuncture dialysis equipment. The procedure was well tolerated for eight biweekly sessions in a patient with metastatic breast cancer.

We report the case of a patient on chronic hemodialysis treatment with paroxysms of severe arterial hypertension accompanied by tachycardia, pallor, sweating and tremor. Measurement of plasma catecholamines revealed norepinephrine level of 4625 pg/mL (reference range 191-225 pg/mL), epinephrine level of 1035 pg/mL (58-76 pg/mL) and dopamine level of 148 pg/mL (50-100 pg/mL). MRI showed a left adrenal mass of 2 cm. After the patient was started on an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blocker, she underwent a left adrenalectomy. Anatomopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Although urinary testing is not possible in anuric hemodialysis patients, diagnosis of pheochromocytoma can be made through measurement of plasma free metanephrines and/or plasma catecholamines.

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