Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Low (<0.90) and high (>1.40) ankle-brachial index (ABI) is known as a non-invasive diagnostic marker for generalized atherosclerosis associated with higher cardiovascular (CV) mortality in the general population. Less is known about associations between ABI and CV mortality in HD patients. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of the ABI on CV mortality in nondiabetic HD patients. Fifty-two nondiabetic HD patients (mean age 59 years, range 22 - 76 years) were enrolled in our study. Twenty-three (44%) were women and 29 (56%) men. The ABI was determined using an automated, non-invasive, waveform analysis device. All patients were divided according to the ABI into three groups: low ABI (<0.9), normal ABI (0.9-1.4) and high ABI (>1.4). The presence of arterial hypertension and smoking was established. Serum cholesterol (HDL and LDL) and triglycerides were measured by routine laboratory methods. Survival rates were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. The Cox regression model was used to assess the influence of the ABI on CV outcomes. The model was adjusted for age, arterial hypertension, smoking, cholesterol and triglycerides. Mean ABI value was 1.2 ± 0.3 (range 0.2-2.2). Patients were observed from the date of the ABI measurement until their death or maximally up to 1620 days. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the risk for CV death was higher for HD patients with low and high ABI compared to normal ABI (log rank test: P < 0.006; P < 0.0001). In the adjusted Cox multivariable regression model low and high ABI (P < 0.011; P < 0.003) remained predictors of mortality in our patients. The results indicate a U-shaped association between the ABI and CV mortality in nondiabetic HD patients and showed that low and high ABI were directly associated with higher mortality of our patients.

Low (<0.9) and high (>1.4) ankle brachial index (ABI) is associated with a higher cardiovascular (CV) mortality in the general and hemodialysis (HD) population. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of ABI on long-term survival of 52 non-diabetic HD patients. The ABI was determined using an automated, non-invasive waveform analysis device. Patients were divided into three groups: low (<0.9), normal (0.9-1.4) and high (>1.4) ABI. Patients were observed from the date of ABI measurement until their death or ten years. Survival analysis showed higher risk for CV death in HD patients with high ABI compared to normal ABI (log rank test P < 0.027). In Cox regression model adjusted for arterial hypertension, smoking, serum cholesterol and triglycerides, high ABI (P < 0.049) remained a predictor of mortality. The results indicate an association between ABI and long-term survival of non-diabetic HD patients and only high ABI was associated with higher CV mortality.

Purpose: Abdominal adipose tissue has important inflammatory properties and is a source of various inflammatory mediators. Given that concentrations of some inflammatory mediators are high among hemodialysis (HD) patients, abdominal obesity may play an important role in the pathogenesis of microinflammation which is known to be associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of microinflammation on cardiovascular (CV) mortality in abdominal obese HD patients. Methods: Seventy–one HD patients (mean age 59.3 ± 12.8 years) were included in our study. Waist circumference (WAC) was measured and abdominal obesity was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation. Serum levels of lipids (triglycerides, high density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol) and inflammatory mediators (interleukin–6, tumor necrosis factor–alpha, vascular cellular adhesion molecule–1 (VCAM–1), intercellular adhesion molecule–1 (ICAM–1)) were measured. Patients were observed from the date of measurement (November 2003) of inflammatory mediators until their death or to 10th of November 2009. Results: The mean WAC value for men was 97.6 ± 16.1 cm, and for women 92.2 ± 15.9 cm. Abdominal obesity was found in 62% of the enrolled patients. Cox regression analysis showed that the inflammatory mediators VCAM–1 (p<0.031) and ICAM–1 (p<0.024) were predictors of CV mortality in abdominal obese HD patients. Both inflammatory mediators remained predictors of CV mortality if age and other known risk factors for atherosclerosis (arterial hypertension, smoking, HDL and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides) were included in the analysis. Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that microinflammation is associated with CV mortality in abdominal obese HD patients.

Background and Aims Use of cytokine adsorbents has been proposed as a novel therapeutic approach in sepsis management. Our aim was to evaluate laboratory markers, clinical parameters and SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) score in patients who were treated with cytokine adsorbing membrane (CytoSorb®, CytoSorbents Corp. New Jersey, USA) and continuous veno-venous haemodialysis. Method We included adult patients with septic shock and acute renal failure. We retrospectively collected laboratory results (leukocytes, thrombocytes, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, lactate, urea, creatinine, bilirubin, PaO2), clinical parameters (mean arterial pressure (MAP), FiO2, residual diuresis), SOFA score and vasopressor use at the beginning and at the end of the procedure. Results We included 69 patients, 51 men, aged 56.6 ± 15 years. 51 patients had 1 procedure, 14 patients had 2 procedures, 3 patients had 3 procedures and 1 patient had 4 procedures. Median time from admission to initiation of procedure was 47 hours, median treatment time was 23.6 hours. We discovered significant improvement in procalcitonin (35.36 ± 37.33 ng/mL vs. 24.25 ± 31.18 ng/mL; p&lt;0.001), creatinine (345.06 ± 174.65 μmol/L vs. 233.11 ± 108.82 μmol/L; p&lt;0.0001), SOFA score (14.20 ± 2.64 vs. 12.69 ± 3.52; p&lt;0.001) and FiO2 (48.17 ± 21.17 % vs. 44.63 ± 21.45 %; p=0.020). Patients with more than 1 procedure showed statistically significant reduction in lactate level (5.40 ± 4.74 mmol/L vs. 2.46 ± 1.74 mmol/L; p=0.010) and vasopressin dose (1.26 ± 1.61 vs. 0.88 ± 3.2 IU/h; p=0.022). Conclusion We observed potential beneficial effect of adsorptive membrane use in septic patients. According to our results two or more procedures were associated with improved laboratory markers and lower vasopressor requirement.

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