Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN
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Clin J Am Soc Nephrol · Jul 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyPharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of extended dosing of epoetin alfa in anemic patients who have chronic kidney disease and are not on dialysis.
Emerging evidence suggests that epoetin alfa can be administered at extended intervals of up to 4 wk. This open-label, randomized study was performed to characterize the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of four dosing regimens of epoetin alfa administered subcutaneously in anemic patients who had chronic kidney disease and were not on dialysis. ⋯ Extended dosing interval regimens of epoetin alfa yielded modest pharmacokinetic differences but a similar pharmacodynamic response, suggesting that less frequent, higher dosages of epoetin alfa may be as effective as the current three-times-weekly regimen in anemic patients who have chronic kidney disease and are not on dialysis.
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Clin J Am Soc Nephrol · Jul 2008
Multicenter StudyPerformance of procedures by nephrologists and nephrology fellows at U.S. nephrology training programs.
Some procedures (e.g., placement of temporary hemodialysis catheters and kidney biopsies) are required in nephrology fellowship training. Others (e.g., placement of tunneled hemodialysis catheters, ultrasonography, and hemodialysis access interventions) are not required but are performed at some centers. To assess the procedures performed by nephrologists and nephrology fellows at U.S. adult nephrology training programs and the number of procedures required for fellow competency, a survey was conducted of all such training programs. ⋯ Core procedures are performed at almost all programs. Experience and training in other procedures are variable. Many programs have limited requirements for the number of procedures trainees need to perform to demonstrate competence.