Articles tagged with Hemodialysis
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that dialysis for nursing home seniors does not improve functional capacity and may even worsen quality of life. Researchers call for individualized approaches to treatment, considering patients' goals and prognostic information.
The article suggests that nephrologists should consider the potential quality of life for frail elders with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) when deciding between dialysis and conservative therapies. Larger studies are needed to determine the actual benefit of dialysis for this population.
A study found that hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury requiring dialysis have a higher risk of chronic dialysis, but not increased mortality rates. Patients who survive hospitalization complicated by acute kidney injury requiring dialysis remain at high risk of needing dialysis for 3-5 years.
A new study from St. Michael's Hospital reveals that patients with acute kidney injury requiring in-hospital dialysis are three times more likely to need long-term dialysis later in life. Early medical surveillance and intervention may prevent progression to irreversible end-stage kidney disease.
A study found that warfarin may increase the risk of stroke in dialysis patients with abnormal heart rhythms. Patients on dialysis who take warfarin are at a higher risk of stroke, particularly those whose blood is not monitored for warfarin levels after treatment.
Researchers have developed a Wearable Artificial Kidney that provides continuous dialysis 24/7, reducing hospitalization rates and improving quality of life. The device is powered by two nine-volt batteries and weighs about 10 pounds.
A study of 1,239 patients found that night home hem dialysis can extend life expectancy similar to a kidney transplant from deceased donors. The treatment allows patients to live longer and maintain independence. Night home hemodialysis may be suitable for high-risk patients or those waiting for a transplant.
A new approach to statistical analysis shows that a higher dose of dialysis can lead to longer survival times for patients with advanced kidney disease. The study found no significant effect with conventional methods, contradicting previous conflicting results.
A recent study found that 'enhanced' fresh meat products often contain high levels of phosphorous and potassium not listed on food labels. This can be problematic for kidney disease patients who must limit these substances to avoid premature death.
A study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology found that dialysis does not affect the heart health of kidney disease patients who have had a heart attack. Researchers identified predictors of high risk, such as potassium levels and patient condition severity.
A Kaiser Permanente project demonstrated that specialists can improve the health of high-risk patients with chronic illness by using electronic health records to coordinate care. The project found that proactive e-consults reduced late nephrology referrals by two-thirds.
A new study shows that overnight dialysis is a viable alternative for patients with irreversible kidney disease, offering improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare burden. The long-term results of this therapy were found to be well-tolerated by most patients, with lower rates of anemia and reduced levels of urea in their blood.
A study found that combining aspirin and dipyridamole significantly reduced blockages and extended the life of hemodialysis artery-vein access grafts. The treatment decreased graft loss by 18% and stenosis development by 28%.
A systematic review of 128 studies found that dialysis patients have abnormal levels of cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and vanadium, but lower levels of selenium, zinc, and manganese. This imbalance may contribute to adverse clinical outcomes in these patients.
A study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology found that dialysis patients taking an average of 19 pills a day experience worsening quality of life. The high pill burden, largely due to phosphate binders, can lead to poorer physical and mental health outcomes.
A study published in Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology found that patients with more knowledge about dialysis are more likely to use permanent vascular access. The researchers also identified factors associated with lower knowledge, including age, education level, and race.
A recent study suggests that a change in Medicare reimbursement policy could disadvantage African American patients with kidney disease, who require more treatment with costly erythropoiesis stimulating agents. The new policy may create a
A pioneering study has successfully implanted autologous tissue-engineered vascular grafts in dialysis patients, with a majority of the grafts functioning for six to 20 months after implantation. The novel approach uses cells harvested from the patient's own skin to create the grafts without synthetic scaffolds or biomaterials.
A systematic review of 33 HBV outbreaks found that administration of drugs using multi-vial compounds and capillary blood sampling with non-disposable devices are the most frequent transmission routes. The study highlights several topical factors, including a high number of outbreaks in dialysis units and associations with multi-vial use.
A novel hemodialysis procedure called high cut-off hemodialysis has been shown to restore kidney function and increase lifespan in patients with multiple myeloma, a form of cancer that causes severe kidney failure. In a study of 19 patients who underwent the procedure while receiving chemotherapy, 70% became independent of dialysis.
Patients with end-stage renal disease who receive pre-dialysis care from a nephrologist have higher chances of surviving the first year on dialysis. The study also identified geographic clusters where suboptimal care is prevalent, suggesting targeted improvement efforts could be beneficial.
A new anti-microbial catheter has been developed to improve treatment and quality of life for community-based dialysis patients. The catheter has shown the potential to ward off a wider variety of pathogens, protecting CAPD patients from infections for up to 100 days.
Researchers found that arteriovenous (AV) fistulas are the preferred access method for dialysis treatment at any age, with no significant difference in patency or openness between elderly and younger patients. AV fistulas allow continuous high volumes of blood flow, enabling efficient dialysis treatments.
The Comprehensive Dialysis Study (CDS) includes data on more than 1,600 patients, providing a valuable new resource for improving dialysis outcomes. Researchers can examine the interrelated factors affecting the health of new dialysis patients and identify predictive significance of early physical and nutritional status.
A systematic review of eight trials found that lowering blood pressure with medication reduced cardiovascular complications, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular deaths among dialysis patients. The protective effects were similar across different drug classes and were well-tolerated.
High-flux hemodialysis reduces the risk of premature death in patients with CKD by eliminating large toxins. Patients with diabetes showed a significant survival benefit from high-flux dialysis, while benefits were not observed in all patient groups.
A study found that chewing gum with a phosphate-binding ingredient can help maintain proper phosphate levels and prevent cardiovascular disease in dialysis patients. Salivary phosphate levels decreased significantly after two weeks of chewing, while blood phosphate levels also showed a notable reduction.
Studies found that dialysis patients living at higher altitudes had a lower rate of death, with increased hemoglobin concentrations and lower doses of erythropoietin. Increased iron availability caused by hypoxia-induced factors may explain this finding.
A blood pressure test, pulse pressure, may identify patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at increased risk of developing fatal heart complications. Pulse pressure correlates significantly with coronary artery calcification in all patients with various stages of CKD.
A phase 3 clinical trial has shown that ferumoxytol, a novel intravenous form of iron, is effective in treating iron deficiency in CKD patients on dialysis. The study found significant improvements in hemoglobin levels compared to oral iron supplementation.
A study of 25,287 patients found that death rates were lower among those receiving peritoneal dialysis at day 90, but this effect varied depending on age and health. The results indicate that certain patient characteristics should be factored into decisions on dialysis treatment.
Studies suggest taking phosphorus binders reduces death risk in new dialysis patients and those with less-severe CKD. The treatment could benefit a larger population of patients with pre-dialysis CKD.
A clinical trial found that cognitive-behavioral therapy significantly improves depressive symptoms and quality-of-life scores in patients with kidney disease on dialysis. After three months of weekly sessions, patients showed a substantial reduction in depression and improved cognitive function.
A study led by Ercan Ok found that overnight hemodialysis reduced mortality rates by 78% and improved blood pressure control, appetite, weight gain, and cognitive functioning among patients. The results suggest longer dialysis regimens as a promising alternative to addressing high risk of death among dialysis patients.
A study compared the survival of dialysis patients undergoing heart bypass surgery or stent placement, finding that stents offer best one-year survival but bypass surgery is superior for long-term results. The study's findings suggest that treatment choices depend on individual patient goals and risk tolerance.
Researchers have identified molecular signals causing abnormal changes in the peritoneum, a lining used in peritoneal dialysis. Disrupting these signals may help maintain PD's effectiveness and offer new hope for former PD patients seeking alternative treatments.
Dialysis patients with depression are nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized or die within a year compared to those without depression. The study found that more than 80% of depressed patients died or were hospitalized, while only 43% of non-depressed patients experienced these outcomes.
A new study suggests that monitoring fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) levels can provide crucial information for the treatment of kidney failure patients. Elevated FGF-23 levels have been linked to a significantly increased risk of death among dialysis patients, even when phosphate levels are normal.
A study found that high levels of alkaline phosphatase, a marker of bone disease, are associated with an increased risk of death in dialysis patients. Patients with elevated alkaline phosphatase levels were 25% more likely to die over a three-year period.
Cinacalcet treatment reduces PTH levels and phosphorus levels in ESRD patients with hyperparathyroidism. The study also found a reduction in the set point of the PTH-calcium curve, indicating that cinacalcet makes parathyroid cells more sensitive to calcium.
A new therapy developed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center improves transplant rates and outcomes for patients awaiting living- and deceased-donor kidney transplantation. The combination of IVIG and rituximab offers superior benefits to IVIG alone, improving transplant rates to 80 percent of treated patients.
A new design for an automated, wearable artificial kidney eliminates complications of traditional dialysis. The device functions continuously, providing cleansing and fluid balance on a continuous basis, and regenerates and reuses spent dialysate to minimize protein loss.
A study suggests that more frequent hemodialysis for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) may improve their quality of life and cut down on hospitalizations. However, the increased costs of delivering hemodialysis may outweigh the benefits unless significant cost reductions are achieved.
Researchers found that consistently controlling parathyroid hormone, calcium, and phosphorous levels can prolong the lives of hemodialysis patients. Meeting multiple targets simultaneously was associated with improved survival rates, with a 51% higher risk of death for those who failed to meet any targets.
Researchers highlight biological, societal, and healthcare-related factors contributing to racial disparities in chronic kidney disease. Healthcare providers are advised to improve communication, advocate for better systems, and conduct relevant research to provide personalized care.
A study found that vein access in the upper leg does not reduce infection risk compared to neck vein access, except for patients with higher weights. Hematoma formation was significantly higher for jugular catheters.
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that reducing early blockages in bloodsstream access does not increase the likelihood that the access will function adequately for long-term treatments. Fistulas are the preferred type of access since they clot less often, experience fewer infections, and are less costly.
A study found that clopidogrel reduced early thrombosis of new arteriovenous fistulas, but did not improve their maturity or suitability for use during dialysis. The treatment significantly reduced the risk of fistula thrombosis, but did not lead to a clinically meaningful increase in fistula patency.
Two studies suggest that universal access to healthcare can reduce racial and ethnic barriers to treatment for kidney disease. Minority patients and those on Medicare or with less education had longer dialysis times before being wait-listed, highlighting the need for improved insurance coverage.
New research finds that hemoglobin A1c test underestimates true glucose control in hemodialysis patients, potentially leading to inadequate treatment and poor outcomes. The study suggests the use of a newer test, glycated albumin, as a more accurate measure of blood sugar control for diabetic dialysis patients.
A study of acute kidney failure treatments found that intermittent hemodialysis and continuous kidney replacement therapy have similar clinical outcomes. No significant difference was seen in the risk of death or chronic dialysis treatment between the two therapies.
A study using functional MRI technology reveals that areas of the brain associated with unpleasant emotions and memories become less active during scratching, suggesting a possible explanation for its relieving effect. The findings may lead to new treatments for chronic itch, which affects over 30 million Americans.
A group of 275 doctors in the UK have spoken out against the government's decision to remove a dying Ghanaian woman from receiving vital life-prolonging dialysis treatment. The doctors argue that this decision is both unethical and dangerous, as it puts the health of both the undocumented migrant and the general public at risk.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that while US residents have the highest out-of-pocket drug costs, they are less likely to take their medications compared to patients in other countries. High costs are only a partial reason for non-adherence, with policy factors also playing a role.
A wearable haemodialysis device has delivered promising results in a pilot trial, with patients reporting improved quality of life and no adverse cardiovascular changes. The device has the potential to become a practical means of delivering extended and more frequent dialysis to patients with end-stage kidney failure.
A recent study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology suggests that persistently low hemoglobin levels in dialysis patients increase their risk of death, while fluctuating levels do not. The research used data from nearly 160,000 patients to analyze the effects of hemoglobin variability on mortality rates.
Researchers developed a new indicator, Hb-Var, measuring hemoglobin level stability in dialysis patients, finding it strongly predicts mortality risk. Higher Hb-Var scores associated with increased death rates, even after adjusting for absolute hemoglobin levels and trends.
Researchers found that routine mammograms for breast cancer screening in older women on dialysis are unlikely to outweigh the costs, given their reduced life expectancy. The study suggests that breast cancer screening may not provide significant benefits for this population.
A retrospective cohort study found that elderly patients who started dialysis between 1990 and 1999 experienced significant improvements in survival rates. Patients aged 65-74 years at the start of dialysis showed a 23% improvement in survival, while those aged 75 or more saw a 15% gain.
A retrospective cohort study of 18,722 hemodialysis patients found that those living farther from their attending nephrologist had increased mortality rates from all causes and infectious causes. Proximity to a nephrologist was shown to impact clinical outcomes for these patients.