Therapeutic apheresis and dialysis : official peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy
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Capillary permeability is a tightly regulated feature of microcirculation in all organ beds. In sepsis, this feature is fundamentally altered. We have previously reported elevated levels of angiopoietin-2 in patients with septic shock, and have investigated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related and weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK), which mediates both angiogenesis and inflammation, in those patients. ⋯ There was a significant correlation between the serum TWEAK levels and white blood cell counts (r = 0.393, P < 0.001), platelet counts (r = 0.418, P < 0.001), or serum CRP levels (r = 0.259, P = 0.029), but there was no correlation between the serum TWEAK levels and blood pressure. The serum TWEAK levels were also correlated with the ratio of angiopoietin-2 to -1 (r = 0.464, P < 0.001). TWEAK may be a suitable marker of disease severity and mortality in septic patients, and TWEAK levels may be associated with vascular permeability via angiopoietin balance.
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Case Reports
High cut-off membrane hemodiafiltration in myoglobinuric acute renal failure: a case series.
Acute renal failure is a major complication of rhabdomyolysis. New membranes for hemodialysis have been developed with a high cut-off pore size allowing efficient removal of myoglobin. We report on six patients treated by hemodiafiltration with a high cut-off membrane (HCO-HDF) for myoglobinuric acute renal failure. ⋯ Highly efficient myoglobin removal by high cut-off membrane hemodiafiltration was demonstrated in our patients. Rapid redistribution from the extracellular fluid and sustained myoglobin release were suggested by the high rebound observed. Elimination of myoglobin within the body was shown in our study to occur slowly during the period of anuria.
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Case Reports
Citrate anticoagulation during post-dilution hemodiafiltration with a high cut-off (Theralite) membrane.
Citrate anticoagulation has not yet been described for hemodiafiltration (HDF) with high cut-off (HCO) membranes, which can be used in the treatment of cast nephropathy secondary to multiple myeloma. A 57-year-old male patient with multiple myeloma and acute renal failure was treated with HDF using a HCO membrane (Theralite) each or every other day. Due to thrombocytopenia, citrate anticoagulation was done for the first 7 h, and anticoagulant-free HDF was performed for the last hour to avoid citrate accumulation. ⋯ The total/ionized calcium ratio (1.87 ± 0.22 before vs. 1.56 ± 0.20 after 6 h) and the corrected/ionized calcium ratio (2.02 ± 0.21 before vs. 1.88 ± 0.27 after 6 h) decreased during HDF, indicating no citrate accumulation. Citrate anticoagulation was effectively performed during 8 h of HCO membrane HDF. There were no side effects of citrate anticoagulation, nor were any signs of citrate accumulation noted.
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Comparative Study
Simple cystatin C formula compared to sophisticated CKD-EPI formulas for estimation of glomerular filtration rate in the elderly.
Despite the fact that the serum creatinine level is notoriously unreliable for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the elderly, the serum creatinine concentration and serum creatinine-based formulas, such as the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation (MDRD) are the most commonly used markers to estimate GFR. Recently, serum cystatin C-based formulas, the newer creatinine formula (the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula (CKD-EPI creatinine formula), and an equation that uses both serum creatinine and cystatin C (CKD-EPI creatinine and cystatin formula) were proposed as new GFR markers. The aim of our study was to compare the MDRD formula, CKD-EPI creatinine formula, CKD-EPI creatinine and cystatin formula, and simple cystatin C formula (100/serum cystatin C) against (51) Cr-EDTA clearance in the elderly. ⋯ The accuracy within 30% of estimated (51) Cr-EDTA clearance values differ according to the stage of CKD. Analysis of the ability to correctly predict GFR below and above 45 mL/min/1.73 m(2) showed a high prediction for all formulas. Our results indicate that the simple cystatin C formula, which requires just one variable (serum cystatin C concentration), is a reliable marker of GFR in the elderly and comparable to the creatinine formulas, including the CKD-EPI formulas.
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Recipients of spousal donor transplantation (SDT) have poorer histocompatibility and higher human leukocyte antigen (HLA) sensitization due to pregnancy than those receiving related donor transplantation (RDT). Thus, SDT carries a higher risk of acute rejection (AR). In our department, patients at a high immunological risk, such as those with ABO incompatibility and HLA sensitization, were considered for desensitization by double filtration plasmapheresis and preoperative administration of rituximab. ⋯ Preoperative administration of rituximab significantly reduced AR from 37.4% to 10.6% (P<0.001), especially T-cell mediated rejection (36.4% to 20.2%, P=0.01). SDT no longer carries a high risk when appropriate desensitization, including the use of rituximab, is performed. Overall, the five-year graft survival rates were similar between RDT and SDT.