Renal replacement therapy in ADPKD patients : a 25-year survey based on the Catalan registry

Background: Some 7-10% of patients on replacement renal therapy (RRT) are receiving it because of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The age at initiation of RRT is expected to increase over time. Methods: Clinical data of 1,586 patients (7.9%) with ADPKD and 18,447 (92.1%) patients with other nephropathies were analysed from 1984 through 2009 (1984-1991, 1992-1999 and 2000-2009). Results: The age at initiation of RRT remained stable over the three periods in the ADPKD group (56.7 ± 10.9 (mean ± SD) vs 57.5 ± 12.1 vs 57.8 ± 13.3 years), whereas it increased significantly in the non-ADPKD group (from 54.8 ± 16.8 to 63.9 ± 16.3 years, p < 0.001). The ratio of males to females was higher for non-ADPKD than for ADPKD patients (1.6-1.8 vs 1.1-1.2). The prevalence of diabetes was significantly lower in the ADPKD group (6.76% vs 11.89%, p < 0.001), as were most of the co-morbidities studied, with the exception of hypertension. The survival rate of the ADPKD patients on RRT was higher than that of the non-ADPKD patients (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Over time neither changes in age nor alterations in male to female ratio have occurred among ADPKD patients who have started RRT, probably because of the impact of unmodifiable genetic factors in the absence of a specific treatment

Importance of monitoring and treatment of failed maturation in radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula in predialysis: Role of ultrasound

The aim of the study was to analyse outcomes of AVF-RC in predialysis stage in which a clinical and radiological follow up of its maturation had been done and primary failure had been treated. Material and methods: We studied 127 RC-AVF in 117 predialysis patients. All cases had a preoperative map. The RC-AVF was considered mature if it had a brachial artery flow ≥500 ml/min and a cephalic vein diameter of ≥4 mm. Primary failure was treated radiologically or surgically depending on the type of lesion. Fifty-eight patients started dialysis at the time of the study. Results: In 106 RC-AVF without thrombosis, 72 (68%) were mature and 34 (32%) were immature. A total of 97% of the immature had at least one lesion, and the most common site was the post-anastomotic vein. Lesions were found in 31% of mature RC-AVF, and 18% of patients required treatment. Radiological treatment was the most frequent for maturation failure. After 6 months, primary and secondary patency were 59% and 78%, while after 12 months they were 48% and 77%, respectively. The 80% of patients started dialysis with a distal AVF (76% RC-AVF and 4% ulnar basilic). None of the patients with treated immature RC-AVF started dialysis with CVC, while 78% of the patients started with said AVF. Conclusion: Ultrasonography for monitoring maturation provides advantages over clinical monitoring. With our management of RC-AVF in predialysis, 80% of patients start dialysis with an adequate distal AVF