Use of Percutaneous Ethanol Injection Therapy for Recurrent Secondary Hyperparathyroidism after Subtotal Parathyroidectomy

We evaluated the efficacy of percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) as a therapeutic option for recurrence of secondary hyperparathyroidism after subtotal parathyroidectomy in ESRD patients. Six patients underwent PEIT. A mean of 1.3 ± 0.8 ethanol injections was performed. Nodular volume was 1.5 ± 1.7 cm3, and 2.8 ± 2.8 cm3 of ethanol was injected per patient. After ethanol injection PTH decreased significantly (1897 ± 754 to 549 ± 863 pg/mL (P < .01)). There was also a reduction in serum calcium, phosphorus and calcium-phosphorus product. A positive and significant correlation was found between nodular volume with ethanol injected and time from parathyroidectomy. Only one patient required hospitalization due to severe hypocalcaemia. In other two cases, local discomfort and temporary mild dysphonia were registered. PEIT is an effective treatment to control recurrences of secondary hyperparathyroidism postsubtotal parathyroidectomy

High-dose steroid treatment increases free water transport in peritoneal dialysis patients

The water channel aquaporin-1 (AQP1) is the molecular counterpart of the ultrasmall pore that mediates free water transport during peritoneal dialysis (PD). Proof-of-principle studies performed in rats have shown that treatment with corticosteroids upregulates the expression of AQP1 in the peritoneal capillaries, causing a significant increase in free water transport. Whether such a beneficial effect could be observed in end-stage renal disease patients treated by PD remains unknown. Peritoneal transport parameters were evaluated in three patients on PD, shortly before and after living-donor renal transplantation and treatment with high-dose methylprednisolone (1.0-1.2 g/m2). As compared with pre-transplantation values, the post-transplantation test revealed an ∼2-fold increase in the sodium sieving and ultrasmall pore ultrafiltration volume, suggesting an effect on AQP1 water channels. In contrast, there was no change in the parameters of small solute transport. The direct involvement of AQP1 in these changes is suggested by the expression of glucocorticoid receptors in the human peritoneum and the presence of conserved glucocorticoid response elements in the promoter of the human AQP1 gen

Renal Transplantation in a patient with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa: a case report

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a rare genodermatosis characterized by abnormalities in the anchoring fibrils which attach the basal cell layer of the epidermis to the underlying structures. A characteristic feature of this disorder is the presence of recurrent blistering or erosions, the result of even minor traction to these tissues. Patients with RDEB frequently develop chronic renal failure, and require renal replacement therapy being a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The role of renal transplantation in these patients is scarcely known.We present the case of an end-stage renal disease patient with RDEB treated by renal transplantation and his follow-up during a period of 83 months after the transplant. In this period, there were very low frequency of serious infections as well as the absence of skin tumors.Renal transplantation could be an alternative to renal replacement therapy in epidermolysis bullosa patients with end-stage renal disease, reducing the comorbidities associated with this treatment.</p

Peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis. Epidemiology, risk factors, inclusion of BACTEC™ in traditional culture systems, and long-term mortality

Introduction: Peritonitis is the most common complication in peritoneal dialysis (PD), with an effect on morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to analyze epidemiology, risk factors, implementation of the BACTEC™ blood culture system and mortality of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis. Methods: In this retrospective, cohort study, all the patients who started PD between 1992 and 2017 at Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba (Córdoba Private Medical College Hospital) were included. Results: The total number of patients was 159, 63 (39.62%) of which had suffered from peritonitis at least once and 96 (60.38%) had never had it. The global peritonitis rate was 0.37 episodes per patient-year. The risk factors for peritonitis were the following: a history of hemodialysis before PD (OR=3.18; CI 95%=1.41-7.14; p=0.0051) and hypoalbuminemia (OR=3.10; CI 95%=1.36-7.06; p=0.0071). The implementation of the BACTEC™ system increased the percentage of positive blood cultures (from 73.55% to 96.55%; p=0.0076). The most frequent isolates were MSSA (23.66 %) and GNB (20.61 %). Differences were found between the 1992-2006 and 2006-2017 periods in the Candida isolates (1.49 % and 9.38 %; p=0.0448) and the “other bacteria” group (1.49 % and 9.38 %; p=0.0448). Although peritonitis patients showed a higher mortality rate (55.56 % versus 38.58 %; p=0.0480), the multivariate analysis revealed that this condition was not a mortality independent risk factor. Conclusion: The risk factors for peritonitis were hemodialysis prior to PD and hypoalbuminemia. The use of the BACTEC™ system increased the percentage of positive blood cultures. After 2006 the number of isolates from the Candida and the “other bacteria” groups was higher. Peritonitis was not a long-term mortality independent risk factor

Biomarkers of bone and mineral disorders (Fgf-23, fetuin-a) and vascular calcification scores as predictive tools for cardiovascular death in dialysis patients, at 10 years of follow-up[Biomarcadores del metabolismo mineral óseo (Fgf-23, fetuína-a) y calcificaciones vascu-lares como herramientas predictivas de muerte cardiovascular de pacientes en diálisis, a 10 años de seguimiento.]

Cardiovascular disorders represent the leading cause of death in dialysis patients. Alterations of bone and mineral metabolism (BMM) and vascular calcifications play a fundamental role in it. The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive role on cardiovascular mortality of the measurement of biomarkers of BMM and vascular calcifications. A prospective cohort study was performed. All prevalent patients on chronic dialysis in September 2009 at our institution, who completed the total of the complementary stud-ies, were studied. BMM biomarkers were measured (FGF 23, fetuin A, PTH, calcium and phosphorus) and the vascular calcifications were evaluated using the Kauppila and Adragao scores. Follow-up was carried out until 1/1/2019, death or transplant. Of the 30 patients included, 7 (23.3%) died due to cardiovascular causes. The follow-up time was 44.1 ± 30.4 (range = 1.4-112) months. The Adragao score was the only predictive variable of long-term cardiovascular mortality (area under the curve = 0.82; 95% CI 0.64-0.94; p < 0.001). The best cut-off point was 5 (sensitivity = 85.7%; specificity = 78.3%). It was also an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality adjusted for age, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, aortic calcifications, time spent on dialysis and follow-up time (adjusted OR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.06-2.96; p = 0.028). The vascular calcifications quantified from the Adragao score were the only independent predictor of long-term cardiovascular mortality. This score represents a simple, useful and superior tool to the biomarkers of BMM.Fil: Fernández, Pehuén. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Servicio de Nefrología; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, Pehuén. Universidad Católica de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, Pehuén. Instituto Universitario de Ciencias Biomédicas de Córdoba (IUCBC); ArgentinaFil: Douthat, Walter. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Servicio de Nefrología; ArgentinaFil: Douthat, Walter. Universidad Católica de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Douthat, Walter. Instituto Universitario de Ciencias Biomédicas de Córdoba (IUCBC); ArgentinaFil: Castellano, Mauro. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Servicio de Nefrología; ArgentinaFil: Castellano, Mauro. Universidad Católica de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Cardozo, Gabriela. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Servicio de Nefrología; ArgentinaFil: Cardozo, Gabriela. Universidad Católica de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Garay, Gabriela. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Laboratorio de Química Clínica; ArgentinaFil: DE ARTEAGA, Javier. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Servicio de Nefrología; ArgentinaFil: DE ARTEAGA, Javier. Universidad Católica de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Chiurchiu, Carlos. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Servicio de Nefrología; ArgentinaFil: Chiurchiu, Carlos. Universidad Católica de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: DE LA FUENTE, Jorge. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Servicio de Nefrología; ArgentinaFil: DE LA FUENTE, Jorge. Universidad Católica de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: DE LA FUENTE, Jorge. Instituto Universitario de Ciencias Biomédicas de Córdoba (IUCBC); Argentin

Enfermedad renal crónica y aparición de metástasis posterior a nefrectomía radical y parcial por carcinoma renal de células claras

Introduction: Partial nephrectomy to treat early-stage renal cell carcinoma has become one of the surgeries of choice for patients in Argentina. However, long-term results in the country are unknown. In this study, we analyzed the progression to chronic kidney disease and the appearance of metastasis after partial or radical nephrectomy in renal cell carcinoma patients. Methods: A retrospective, cohort study was conducted. We included all patients suffering from T1 stage clear cell renal carcinoma who, between 2006 and 2012, underwent nephrectomy in our hospital. Follow-up continued until January 2018. Results: Thirty-two patients were included (19 had undergone radical nephrectomy and 13, partial nephrectomy). Subjects who had radical nephrectomy showed a more rapid progression to chronic kidney disease as compared to the subjects in the partial nephrectomy group (radical nephrectomy 63.2% vs. partial nephrectomy 15.4%; p=0.007). There were no differences in the follow-up period in both groups (radical nephrectomy 69.3% ± 23.8 months vs. partial nephrectomy 72.5 ± 26.9 months; p=0.73). Risk of progression to end-stage chronic kidney disease was 11 times higher for subjects who had undergone radical nephrectomy as compared to subjects who had had partial nephrectomy (adjusted HR 11.12; 95% CI: 1.24-99.9; p=0.031), adjusted by the rest of traditional risk factors. None of the T1a patients had metastasis during follow-up, regardless of the type of surgery. Conclusion: According to the findings of our study, partial nephrectomy preserves long-term renal function better than radical nephrectomy and has an excellent oncologic safety profile in T1a stage renal cell carcinoma patients. Radical nephrectomy was an independent risk factor of progression to chronic kidney disease.Introducción: El uso de la nefrectomía parcial para el tratamiento del carcinoma de células renales en estadios tempranos se ha convertido en una de las intervenciones preferidas para estos pacientes en la Argentina. Sin embargo, sus resultados en el país a largo plazo aún se desconocen. En este estudio analizamos la progresión a enfermedad renal crónica y aparición de metástasis posterior a nefrectomía parcial y radical, en pacientes con carcinoma de células renales. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo. Se incluyeron a todos los pacientes con carcinoma renal de células claras en estadio T1 que, entre 2006 y 2012, se sometieron a nefrectomía en nuestro hospital. Se realizó un seguimiento hasta enero del 2018. Resultados: Se incluyeron 32 pacientes (19 con nefrectomía radical y 13 con nefrectomía parcial). Comparado con el grupo de nefrectomía parcial, los individuos sometidos a nefrectomía radical presentaron mayor progresión a enfermedad renal crónica (nefrectomía radical 63,2% vs nefrectomía parcial 15,4%; p=0,007). No existieron diferencias en el tiempo de seguimiento de ambos grupos (nefrectomía radical 69,3 ± 23,8 vs nefrectomía parcial 72,5 ± 26,9 meses; p=0,73). Los sujetos sometidos a nefrectomía radical tuvieron 11 veces mayor riesgo de progresión a enfermedad renal crónica que los de nefrectomía parcial (HR ajustado 11,12, IC95 1,24-99,9; p=0,031) ajustado por los demás factores de riesgo tradicionales. Ningún paciente con estadio T1a presentó metástasis durante todo el seguimiento, independientemente del tipo de cirugía. Conclusión: En nuestro estudio, la nefrectomía parcial preserva mejor la función renal a largo plazo que la nefrectomía radical y tiene un excelente perfil de seguridad oncológico en pacientes con carcinoma de células renales en estadio T1a. La nefrectomía radical fue un factor de riesgo independiente de progresión a enfermedad renal crónica