Articles tagged with Hemodialysis
A study of over 404,000 dialysis patients found significant racial and geographic disparities in kidney care. Black patients received less pre-end-stage renal disease (ESRD) care than their white counterparts, particularly in rural and large-metro counties.
A new study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology highlights the need to improve antibiotic use in outpatient dialysis facilities. Nearly one-third of antibiotic prescriptions were classified as inappropriate, with blood-stream infections being the most common misdiagnosed infection based on unmet criteria.
A global study found that children on dialysis with poor response to anemia medications are linked to inflammation, fluid retention, and hyperparathyroidism. High doses of anemia medications also increase the risk of premature death. The study provided valuable insights into anemia control in pediatric patients.
A new study identifies a link between carbamylated albumin protein and increased risk of heart disease in kidney dialysis patients. Researchers found that measuring carbamylated albumin may help doctors monitor dialysis patients and identify those at risk of cardiac complications.
A study found that lung ultrasound can detect asymptomatic lung congestion in dialysis patients, who are at high risk of premature death and cardiac events. Treating this condition may improve cardiovascular health and prevent deaths.
Studies show dialysis patients using catheters face higher risks of death, infections, and cardiovascular events compared to those with arteriovenous fistulas or grafts. Higher quality studies are needed to determine the true safety of different types of vascular access.
A technique that removes additional toxins during dialysis decreased kidney failure patients' risk of dying from any cause by 30% over three years, with lower risks of heart-related causes and infections. The study's findings suggest OL-HDF may indeed prolong kidney failure patients' lives compared to conventional hemodialysis.
A study found that frequent dialysis can cause complications related to repeated access to the blood, including repair procedures and hospitalizations. The risk of these events was 76% higher with daily hemodialysis compared to conventional hemodialysis.
A recent study published in Kidney International found that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood of patients starting hemodialysis were associated with a lower risk of sudden cardiac death. The five-year survival rate for dialysis patients is 35%, with sudden cardiac death being a major cause of mortality.
A recent study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that African Americans and individuals without private insurance are less likely to receive a kidney transplant before needing dialysis. The study examined data from over 11,000 adult first-time deceased donor kidney transplant recipients in th...
Residence in areas with higher average household income was linked with improved survival for both Black and White kidney failure patients. However, in White patients, income inequality was associated with mortality, while in Black patients exclusively, residence in highly segregated areas was associated with increased mortality.
A study found that open heart surgery is safer than angioplasty for dialysis patients with blocked arteries surrounding the heart, with five-year survival rates over 90% without kidney disease but dismal in kidney failure patients. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in kidney failure patients, affecting 30-60%.
A simple six-question quiz can identify kidney dialysis patients at high risk of death, with those needing assistance with basic activities being more than three times more likely to die. The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, found that over 600,000 people in the US are on dialysis due to kidney failure.
A study found that variations in the APOL1 gene are associated with non-diabetic kidney disease in African-Americans, but not all carriers develop the disease. Researchers suggest that environmental or viral infections may play a role in triggering the disease.
Home hemodialysis could enable patients to increase their dialysis frequency, potentially providing a survival benefit. Increased physician and patient education can eliminate barriers to its adoption.
A US multicenter study showed that 46% of kidney transplant recipients in living donor chains were minorities, contradicting previous fears. The study highlights the potential for expanding donor chains to increase diversity and accessibility for minority patients.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that renal transplantation offers the best treatment option for improving quality of life in people with late-stage chronic kidney disease. In contrast, home-based automated peritoneal dialysis provides a better quality of life than continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
A new strategy for managing Medicare's costly dialysis program has been implemented, bundling total costs and discouraging lapses in quality. The changes aim to rein in health care costs, but concerns remain about the potential impact on patient treatment and overall healthcare expenditure.
Patients under 35 years old and those without private health insurance are more likely to be overlooked when starting dialysis, according to a recent study. The findings highlight the need to address racial and socioeconomic disparities in kidney transplantation.
A MCG student has received a $5,000 research fellowship to investigate risk factors for bacteremia in dialysis patients. The study aims to identify potential associations with diabetes, dialysis catheter use, and other factors.
A new study found a significant increase in acute kidney injury requiring dialysis after major elective surgery, with the number of patients tripling since 1995. The study suggests that developing interventions to prevent severe AKI could lead to improved outcomes for patients.
Researchers studied 552,672 patients and found a three-fold increase in acute dialysis after cardiac and vascular surgeries. The incidence of acute dialysis increased from 0.2% to 0.6% over the 15-year study period.
A study published in JAMA Network found that older adults are at a significantly higher risk of developing untreated kidney failure, with rates increasing with age. The study suggests that the incidence of advanced kidney disease in the elderly may be substantially underestimated by rates of treated kidney failure alone.
A 10-year-old girl's successful transplantation of a tissue-engineered vein has dramatically improved her quality of life, avoiding complications associated with synthetic grafts and lifelong immunosuppressive drugs. The procedure restored normal blood flow and significantly enhanced her physical growth.
A bacterial sepsis outbreak at a Los Angeles County dialysis center was caused by improper disinfection of reusable medical devices, including a dialyzer. The investigation found genetic links between the bacteria infecting three patients, leading to changes in facility procedures and improved infection prevention training.
A recent study suggests that peritonitis, a common infection in dialysis patients on peritoneal dialysis, may be linked to premature death. Researchers found that patients were more likely to develop peritonitis during the final month before their death, and even six times more so during the 30 days prior to their death.
A study found that brief conversations about healthy dialysis lifestyles increased patient satisfaction scores by 12% and improved compliance rates. Researchers used a 'talking control support therapy' approach, where health professionals had informal chats with patients while they underwent dialysis.
A new study suggests fish oil capsules can reduce AV graft clotting and improve hemodialysis patient outcomes. Patients taking fish oil experienced lower rates of graft failure, cardiovascular events, and blood pressure.
A study published in JAMA found that fish oil supplementation did not decrease graft patency but reduced thrombosis rates and clinical interventions. The study showed a significant reduction in thrombosis events and radiological interventions in patients receiving fish oil, but no difference in graft loss.
A study by Dr. Arsh Jain found that developing countries are using peritoneal dialysis at a faster rate than developed countries, despite its lower costs and better outcomes. The research highlights the need for increased adoption of this therapy in developed nations.
A study by the American Society of Nephrology found that hemodiafiltration, a technique to remove additional toxins during dialysis, does not improve patient survival or heart health. However, intense treatments may provide some benefits, particularly for patients who receive higher doses of treatment.
A new study by Lawson Health Research Institute suggests that intensive kidney dialysis at home can lead to better survival rates, blood pressure results, and biochemical test values compared to conventional dialysis in clinics.
A research team has developed a new technique for creating human textiles by weaving donor cells into blood vessels, promising to reduce production costs. The technology uses a combination of cultured cells and medical-textile-making techniques to create strong, biocompatible fibers that can be woven into various structures.
A study found that information on a mandatory Medicare form regarding kidney disease patients' care doesn't accurately reflect the actual care billed by physicians. The report's accuracy varies by patient characteristics and declines over time, emphasizing the need for improved reporting to ensure public health surveillance and planning.
A new study found that 84% of female dialysis patients experienced sexual problems, which are often overlooked by clinicians. The study also highlighted the impact of various factors such as age, education level, and presence of depression on sexual dysfunction in these patients.
A study found that dialysis patients with deteriorating mental health have a higher risk of developing heart problems and dying prematurely. The research suggests that addressing kidney disease patients' mental health may help prevent heart complications and even death.
Patients with kidney failure have relatively poor physical health. Frequent dialysis does not significantly improve their overall physical capacity compared to conventional dialysis, but it can provide improved quality of life.
Research suggests that daily or nightly dialysis sessions at home or in the clinic may provide more benefits for some patients with kidney failure, improving their health and survival. However, additional research is needed to determine if extended or more frequent treatments are beneficial for all dialysis patients.
Home-based dialysis treatments for kidney failure are gaining popularity worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The study found a significant increase in peritoneal dialysis patients in these regions, driven by lower costs and easier access to care.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers reveals that thousands of senior citizens with kidney disease are good candidates for transplants, but are often overlooked. The study estimates that between 9,000 and 40,000 adults over 65 would have been eligible for a transplant, but none were given the chance.
A new study finds that solar-powered hemodialysis can reduce power costs by up to 76.5% and generate effectively free energy. The researchers advocate for implementing water conservation and waste management systems in dialysis programs to further reduce environmental impact.
Research finds that ACE inhibitors and ARBs have different effects on heart health in dialysis patients, with some benefiting from one over the other. The findings emphasize the need for tailored treatment approaches, highlighting the importance of long-term clinical trials.
Researchers found that high levels of inflammation significantly shorten white dialysis patients' lives, but African Americans with similar inflammation levels survive similarly. A new study aims to understand and possibly mitigate this survival difference.
A new study found that more than 80% of lupus patients with end-stage renal disease opt for hemodialysis, while those without insurance or employed are less likely to choose peritoneal dialysis. The study highlights the impact of socioeconomic factors on kidney replacement therapy choices among lupus patients.
A new Medicare payment system may unfairly penalize dialysis clinics that provide care to patients with complex medical and social issues. The study found that patient characteristics, particularly adherence to prescribed treatments, significantly impact a facility's achievement of the pay-for-performance measure.
A study found that using electron beam sterilized dialyzers increased the risk of thrombocytopenia, a low platelet count associated with bleeding, in hemodialysis patients. The use of non-electron beam sterilized dialyzers reduced this risk.
The consortium aims to reduce barriers in pediatric device development by creating a product development pathway with support from Georgia Tech and Emory University institutions. Initial focus will be on investigating three technologies: smartphone attachment for at-home ear examinations, renal dialysis device, and gel for delayed skul...
Researchers found that US patients started dialysis approximately five months earlier on average between 1997 and 2007. This delay reduction translates into additional hemodialysis treatments, hours of treatment, and payments for each patient.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a novel protocol that allows kidney-transplant recipients to avoid immune-suppressing drugs without compromising the health of their new kidney. The treatment involves combining targeted radiation with stem cells from the donor's blood, resulting in a successful outcome for eight patien...
A blood test measuring fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) levels can identify kidney disease patients who are at high risk of developing heart problems, needing dialysis, and dying prematurely. FGF-23 levels are strongly associated with key outcomes in CKD patients.
High levels of fibroblast growth factor-23, a hormone regulating phosphorous levels, can predict premature death in kidney patients. The discovery allows for earlier interventions with drugs to lower phosphorous and reduce hormone levels.
A new study found that a combination of minocycline and EDTA can prevent bacterial infections in dialysis patients using catheters, improving patient outcomes. The treatment reduced the risk of infection by half compared to traditional heparin use.
A study published in JAMA found that younger black patients undergoing dialysis have significantly higher mortality rates compared to their white counterparts. The disparity is attributed to differential access to transplantation and inadequate dialysis care. Researchers emphasize the need for targeted interventions to address these di...
A new Johns Hopkins research published in JAMA finds that younger black patients on kidney dialysis face a higher risk of death compared to equally sick white counterparts. The study highlights a long-standing racial disparity in outcomes for African-American patients with end-stage kidney disease.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that low blood pressure during dialysis significantly increases the risk of blood clotting at vascular access points. Researchers discovered that patients who experienced frequent episodes of low blood pressure were twice as likely to develop a clotted ...
A new treatment protocol has been shown to dramatically increase the survival rate of patients with incompatible kidneys, doubling their chances of eight-year survival. The treatment involves removing problematic antibodies from a patient's blood prior to transplant and aims to replace them with low-dose IVIg, resulting in an 80.6% sur...
A student team at Johns Hopkins University has developed a device to reduce the risk of infection, clotting and narrowing of blood vessels in patients undergoing dialysis. The Hemova Port is an implantable access port that can be easily opened and closed by a technician, reducing the need for frequent site changes.
Researchers have successfully implanted lab-grown blood vessels from donor skin cells into patients, a breakthrough that could improve treatment for kidney dialysis and coronary bypass surgery. The vessels withstood high pressure and frequent needle punctures without rejecting the immune system, paving the way for widespread use.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital found that cells protecting blood vessels work better in patients undergoing nighttime home dialysis than those on standard hospital dialysis. This suggests that frequent nighttime dialysis might be beneficial for some patients with blood vessel damage, improving overall health outcomes.
Researchers found that HbA1C test is not predictive of outcomes in diabetes patients with kidney disease on dialysis. In contrast, the glycated albumin or GA assay was a strong predictor of patient survival and hospitalizations.