Introduction: Peri-procedural i.v. fluid administration is important for the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). However, standardized fluid management protocols may not be suitable for all patients. We therefore wished to determine whether an individualized fluid administration protocol guided by measuring extracellular water (ECW) using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) would be safe and would reduce the incidence CI-AKI compared to a standardized fluid administration prescription. Methods: In this pilot, randomized, parallel-group, single-blind, controlled trial, we compared the effect of BIA-guided isotonic bicarbonate administration according to the ratio of ECW to total body water (ECW/ TBW) to our standard isotonic bicarbonate protocol in regard to the safety and efficacy of preventing CI-AKI in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing elective cardiac angiography. Our primary outcome was the incidence of CI-AKI, which was defined as a $0.3 mg/dl or 150% increase in serum creatinine concentration within 48 to 72 hours after cardiac angiography. Results: We studied 61 patients, 30 in the bioimpedance group and 31 in the control group. Age was similar (72.5 AE 7 vs. 71.4 AE 7.9 years), as were body mass index (25.5 vs. 25.8 kg/m 2) and baseline serum creatinine (1.3 AE 0.3 vs. 1.4 AE 0.4 mg/dl). The peri-procedural fluid volume administered was significantly greater in the BIA-guided hydration group (899.0 AE 252.7 ml vs. 594.4 AE 125.9 ml, P < .01). The incidence of CI-AKI was 3.3% in BIA-guided hydration group and 6.5% in the control group (relative risk ¼ 0.52, 95% confidence interval ¼ 0.05À5.40, P ¼ 1.00). Adverse events reported were comparable between groups (6.7% vs. 6.5%, P ¼ 1.00). Conclusions: The overall incidence of CI-AKI after cardiac angiography in our patients with mild-tomoderate renal insufficiency was lower than anticipated. Isotonic bicarbonate administration guided by bioimpedance measurements was safe, and probably led to a lower incidence of CI-AKI, although this not reach statistical significance.

Background:Bacterial parapneumonic pleural effusions (PPEs) have high morbidity. The accurate identification of pathogens is vital for initiating the appropriate treatment. A previous study suggested that the use of blood culture bottles might improve the bacterial yield in PPEs.Objectives:The aim of this study was to compare the culture positivity rate by the blood culture bottles and the standard culture bottles in bacterial PPEs.Patients and Methods:Patients diagnosed with PPEs at the Khon Kaen Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand, which is an endemic area of melioidosis, were enrolled consecutively and prospectively. The study period was from June first, 2012 to December 31st, 2013. The inclusion criteria were adult patients aged > 18 years, with exudative, neutrophilic parapneumonic effusion. Of the pleural fluid samples, 5 mL from all the eligible patients were collected in both blood culture bottles and the standard culture bottles. Patient baseline characteristics, laboratory results, and culture results were collected and analyzed.Results:During the study period, 129 patients met the study criteria. The bacteria-positive rate of pleural fluid culture using the standard culture bottle was 14.0%, whereas the positive rate using blood culture bottles was 24.0% (P < 0.001).Conclusions:The blood culture bottle method is more effective than the standard culture bottle method for the detection of bacterial pathogens in PPE.

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