The Rapid Atrial Swirl Sign for Ultrasound-Guided Tip Positioning of Retrograde-Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheters: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Single Center

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common medical problem in patients worldwide, with an increasing prevalence of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). In patients requiring RRT for more than two weeks or those who develop ESKD, tunneled hemodialysis catheter (HDC) insertion is preferred, based on a lower risk for infectious complications. While the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided tip positioning in antegrade-tunneled HDCs has previously been shown, its application for the insertion of retrograde-tunneled HDCs has not been described yet. This is especially important, since the retrograde-tunneled technique has several advantages over the antegrade-tunneled HDC insertion technique. Therefore, we here report our first experience of applying the rapid atrial swirl sign (RASS) for US-guided tip positioning of retrograde-tunneled HDCs. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study to assess the feasibility of applying the RASS for US-guided tip positioning of retrograde-tunneled HDCs. We performed a total number of 24 retrograde-tunneled HDC insertions in 23 patients (requiring placement of a HDC for the temporary or permanent treatment of ESKD) admitted to our Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology at the University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany. Results: The overall success rate of applying the RASS for US-guided tip positioning of retrograde-tunneled HDCs was 24/24 (100%), with proper tip position in the right atrium in 18/23 (78.3%), or cavoatrial junction in 5/23 (21.7%) when RASS was positive and improper position when RASS was negative in 1/1 (100%), confirmed by portable anterior-posterior chest radiography, with only minor post-procedural bleeding in 2/24 (8.3%). In addition, this insertion technique allows optimal HDC flow, without any observed malfunction. Conclusion: This is the first study to investigate the efficacy of the RASS for US-guided tip positioning of retrograde-tunneled HDCs in patients with ESKD. Application of the RASS for US-guided tip positioning is an accurate and safe procedure for the proper placement of retrograde-tunneled HDCs

Eligibility for Baroreflex Activation Therapy and medication adherence in patients with apparently resistant hypertension

Abstract Uncontrolled hypertension is a main risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity. Baroreflex activation therapy (BAT) is an effective therapy option addressing true resistant hypertension. We evaluated patients’ eligibility for BAT in a staged assessment as well as adherence to antihypertensive drug therapy. Therefore, we analyzed files of 345 patients, attending the hypertension clinic at University Medicine Göttingen. Additionally, gas chromatographic‐mass spectrometric urine analyses of selected individuals were performed evaluating their adherence. Most common cause for a revoked BAT recommendation was blood pressure (BP) control by drug adjustment (54.2%). Second leading cause was presence of secondary hypertension (31.6%). Patients to whom BAT was recommended (59 (17.1%)) were significantly more often male (67.8% vs. 43.3%, P = .0063), had a higher body mass index (31.8 ± 5.8 vs. 30.0 ± 5.7 kg/m², P = .0436), a higher systolic office (168.7 ± 24.7 vs. 147.7 ± 24.1 mmHg, P < .0001), and 24h ambulatory BP (155.0 ± 14.6 vs. 144.4 ± 16.8 mmHg, P = .0031), took more antihypertensive drugs (5.8 ± 1.3 vs. 4.4 ± 1.4, P < .0001), and suffered more often from numerous concomitant diseases. Eventually, 27 (7.8%) received a BAT system. In the toxicological analysis of 75 patients, mean adherence was 75.1%. 16 patients (21.3%) showed non‐adherence. Thus, only a small number of patients eventually received a BAT system, as treatable reasons for apparently resistant hypertension could be identified frequently. This study is—to our knowledge—the first report of a staged assessment of patients’ suitability for BAT and underlines the need for a careful examination and indication. Non‐adherence was proven to be a relevant issue concerning apparently resistant hypertension and therefore non‐eligibility for interventional antihypertensive therapy