No abstract

ARI is a rare pathology with non-specific symptoms, and it is not associated with cardiological disease or arrhythmias in more than half of cases. A substantial proportion of patients have unfavourable outcomes, and the initial renal function is one of the main prognostic factors.

Background Kidney replacement therapy (KRT) confers the highest risk of death from COVID-19. However, most data refer to the early pandemic waves. Whole year analysis in comparison with prior secular trends are scarce. Methods We present the 2020 REMER Madrid KRT registry, corresponding to the Spanish Region hardest hit by COVID-19. Results In 2020, KRT incidence decreased 12% versus 2019 while KRT prevalence decreased (−1.75%) for the first time since records began and the number of kidney transplants (KT) decreased by 16%. Mortality on KRT was 10.2% (34% higher than the mean for 2008–2019). The 2019 to 2020 increase in mortality was larger for KT (+68%) than for HD (+24%) or PD (+38%). The most common cause of death was infection (n = 419, 48% of deaths), followed by cardiovascular (200, 23%). Deaths from infection increased by 167% year over year and accounted for 95% of excess deaths in 2020 over 2019. COVID-19 was the most common cause of death (68% of infection deaths, 33% of total deaths). The bulk of COVID-19 deaths (209/285, 73%) occurred during the first COVID-19 wave, which roughly accounted for the increased mortality in 2020. Being a KT recipient was an independent risk factor for COVID-19 death. Conclusions COVID-19 negatively impacted the incidence and prevalence of KRT, but the increase in KRT deaths was localized to the first wave of the pandemic. The increased annual mortality argues against COVID-19 accelerating death of patients with short life expectancy and the temporal pattern of COVID-19 mortality suggests that appropriate healthcare may improve outcomes.

Background Percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) is invasive, and bleeding-related complications are a concern. Desmopressin (DDAVP) is a selective type 2 vasopressin receptor-agonist also used for haemostasis. Aim To evaluate the side effects of intravenous (IV) weight-adjusted desmopressin preceding PRB. Methods This was a retrospective study of renal biopsies performed by nephrologists from 2013 to 2017 in patients who received single-dose DDAVP pre-PRB. Results Of 482 PRBs, 65 (13.5%) received DDAVP (0.3 µg/kg); 55.4% of the PRBs were native kidneys. Desmopressin indications were altered platelet function analyser (PFA)-100 results (75.3% of the patients), urea >24.9 mmol/L (15.5%), antiplatelet drugs (6.1%) and thrombocytopaenia (3%). Of the 65 patients, 30.7% had minor asymptomatic complications, and 3 patients had major complications. Pre-PRB haemoglobin (Hb) <100 g/L was a risk factor for Hb decrease >10 g/L, and altered collagen-epinephrine (Col-Epi) time was a significant risk factor for overall complications. Mean sodium decrease was 0.6 ± 3 mmol/L. Hyponatraemia without neurological symptoms was diagnosed in two patients; no cardiovascular events occurred. Conclusion Hyponatraemia after single-dose DDAVP is rare. A single IV dose of desmopressin adjusted to the patient’s weight is safe as pre-PRB bleeding prophylaxis.