International urology and nephrology
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To review our experience with a zigzag shape annular penile fasciocutaneous flap (modified McAninch flap) for reconstruction of pan-anterior urethral strictures. ⋯ A meticulously fashioned zigzag annular penile skin flap could be raised to bridge a urethral defect up to 20 cm long and has the advantage of one-stage repair. No additional grafts are needed. Cosmetic outcome included a straight penis in all cases.
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Metformin has been shown to reduce diabetic complications in overweight patients, and is increasingly used to treat this condition. However, this agent is associated with a rare but serious risk of lactic acidosis. ⋯ Metformin-associated lactic acidosis is commonly accompanied with acute kidney injury. In spite of the severity of their illness, the outcome is favorable with intensive support of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal systems.
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Comparative Study
Natural history of CKD stage 4 and 5 patients following referral to renal management clinic.
CKD patients referred to a renal management clinic are looked after by a multidisciplinary team whose care may improve outcome and delay the progression of kidney disease. This paper describes our experience and the results obtained in 940 patients with CKD stage 4 and 5 patients from two renal management clinics (RMC). ⋯ During a median follow-up of 1.57 year (range 0.5-8.7 year) of stage 4 patients, eGFR improved in 10.6%, showed mild improvement in 24.2%, was stable in 27.5%, showed slow progression in 28.8% and rapid progression in 8.9% of patients. During a median follow-up of 1.4 year (range 0.5-8 year) of CKD stage 5 patients, eGFR improved in only 1.3%, showed mild improvement in 4.3%, remained stable in 35.6%; showed slow progression in 19.7% and rapid progression in 39.1%. Between the two hospitals (TGH and TSH) there was a statistically significant difference in the number of visits per year for CKD stage 4 patients during the first, second and third year. However, the number of visits per year had no effect on the rate of decline. On univariate analysis, factors predicting non-progression in eGFR slope were eGFR at referral, the use of ACE inhibitors-ARBs and absence of cardiovascular disease. However, in logistic multivariate regression analysis, after adjusting for confounding factors only the eGFR at referral and ACE inhibitors-ARBs were independent factors for non-progression in eGFR. A significant percentage of CKD stage 4 patients attending a renal management clinic (RMC) showed non-progression or improvement in their kidney function. Although only few stage 5 CKD patients had improvement in their eGFR, 32% of them maintained their eGFR on conservative treatment for over 2 years delaying the initiation of dialysis.
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Impaired kidney function is common in kidney-transplanted patients and complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD), such as mineral and bone disorders (MBD) are also prevalent in this population. Similarly to other stages of CKD, increasing evidence supports the association between MBD and cardiovascular risk after kidney transplantation as well. Still, little is known about the prevalence, clinical correlates of MBD and its management in transplanted patients. In this study, we aimed to examine the characteristics of MBD and its associations with clinical parameters in a large prevalent cohort of patients after kidney transplantation. ⋯ Disturbances of bone and mineral metabolism after transplantation are prevalent and are strongly correlated with the kidney function, similarly to non-transplanted CKD patients. MBD in this population is not adequately managed.
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Direct renin inhibitors are the first new class of antihypertensive to emerge since angiotensin II receptor blockers. We discuss their reno- and cardioprotective potential, based on extrapolation from animal models and phase three trials that are currently ongoing. This paper reviews the potential benefits of direct renin inhibitors (DRIs), the only new anti-hypertensive class developed in the last decade, as compared to pre-existing classes of drug inhibiting more downstream, such as Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers (ARBS).