Surgical minilaparotomy technique of Tenckhoff catheter placement is rarely practiced by nephrologists. There is a scarcity of data comparing technique and outcomes of surgically inserted peritoneal dialysis catheters by surgeon and nephrologist. We retrospectively analyzed 105 Tenckhoff catheters inserted by surgical minilaparotomy (”S” [surgeon], n = 43 and “N” [nephrologist], n = 62) in end-stage renal disease. Comparative analysis of surgical technique, survivals, and complications between both groups was done. “N” group observed two major advantages; shorter break-in (P < 001) and early continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis rehabilitation. Cumulative catheter experience was 1749 catheter-months: 745 and 1004 catheter-months in “S” and “N” groups, respectively. “N” group had a better overall catheter and patient survival, and a statistically insignificant mechanical complications, seen mostly in obese and post-abdominal surgery patients, without fatality or catheter loss. Peritonitis rates (P = 0.21) and catheter removal due to refractory peritonitis (P = 0.81) were comparable. The technique used is practical and aids early break-in, yields better results, and later on, helps in easy and uncomplicated PDC removal as and when indicated. Mechanical complications, mostly bleeding, were managed conservatively without any catheter or patient loss. This method should be encouraged among nephrologists and nephrology residents.

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Vascular access complications are major issues in hemodialysis (HD) patients, which increase their morbidity and lessen HD efficiency. The aim of this study was to assess von Willebrand factor (VWF), and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with eight thrombospondin-type 1 motif (ADAMTS13) levels in HD patients and their association with vascular access thrombosis (VAT). This study included a total of 158 individuals including 128 patients undergoing HD for more than 6 months, subdivided into two groups according to the occurrence of the previous episode of VAT; 60 HD patients with VAT and 68 HD patients without VAT and 30 healthy controls. Plasma ADAMTS13 and VWF levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. There were higher VWF levels and lower ADAMTS13 in HD patients, compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, VWF levels were significantly higher and ADAMTS13 levels were significantly lower in HD patients with VAT than those without VAT. Further prospective studies with large number of patients are thus needed to show if there is causal relationship between higher VWF levels, lower ADAMTS13, and VAT.

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Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is a standard renal replacement therapy, but there is a lack of consensus for catheter insertion method and type of catheter used. We retrospectively analyzed 140 peritoneal dialysis catheters (PDC) inserted in 139 CAPD patients by two methods; percutaneous (Group “P,” n = 47) and surgical mini laparotomy (Group “S,” n = 93) technique over a 39-month period, with cumulative experience of 2415 catheter-months: 745 catheter-months for Group “P” and 1670 catheter-months for Group “S.” Break-in period was shorter in Group “P” (P = 0.002) whereas primary nonfunction rate was comparable (P = 0.9). The mean catheter survival was better in Group “S” (17.95 ± 10.96 months vs. 15.85 ± 9.41 months in “P” group, P = 0.05) whereas the death-censored and overall catheter survival was comparable in both groups. PDC removal due to refractory peritonitis was also comparable. Mechanical complications were more in “P” group (P = 0.049), leading to higher catheter removal (P = 0.033). The peritonitis rates were higher in “P” group (1 episode per 24.8 catheter-months vs. 1 episode per 34.8 catheter-months in “S” group, P = 0.026) and related to a higher number of rural patients in the group (P = 0.04). Patient survival was comparable. There was no effect on episodes of peritonitis in those CAPD patients who had diabetic etiology or prior hemodialysis catheter-related sepsis, age, and PDC insertion method.

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Hypertriglyceridemia is infrequently reported as a cause of suboptimal delivery of dialytic therapy in critically ill patients. We report the case of a critically ill liver transplant patient in the Intensive Care Unit who was found to have recurrent filter clotting during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). The patient had increased serum triglycerides (TGs), which was identified approximately 2 weeks into hospitalization and initially believed to be due to prolonged propofol use. The patient's elevated TGs ultimately caused her blood to become lipemic, causing the dialytic circuit to become nonfunctional and placed the patient in imminent danger due to hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. Therapeutic plasma exchange was emergently used to lower TG levels, and renal replacement therapy was resumed without any other issues. The patient's persistent hypertriglyceridemia was attributed to a combination of adverse effect of medications and liver graft failure. The high TG level and abnormal liver functions improved after a repeat liver transplantation.

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A considerable number of end-stage renal disease patients undergo tunneled cuffed catheter insertion for hemodialysis under ultrasonographic guidance while awaiting arteriovenous fistula creation. We report a case of a 62-year-old female who underwent tunneled catheter insertion in the left internal jugular vein under ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance, which was followed by pericatheter serous discharge. Fluid examination confirmed the diagnosis of lymphorrhea, and lymphoscintigraphy facilitated its localization. This case is reported for its rarity and with a discussion on literature review, complications of lymphorrhea, and their management.

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Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe muscle wasting, gastrointestinal dysmotility, leukoencephalopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and ophthalmoplegia. The pathogenesis involves the accumulation of very high concentrations of nucleosides dThd and dUrd along with depletion of nucleotide dCTP. One of the treatment measures is the removal of nucleosides dThd and dUrd by hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Only a few patient reports of dialysis as a measure to remove nucleosides had been reported.

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Tunneled hemodialysis (HD) catheter-associated right atrial thrombus (CRAT) is an uncommon complication with significant morbidity. We report the case of a patient undergoing HD through tunneled venous catheter who presented with catheter dysfunction and sepsis and was diagnosed to have CRAT with septic embolism. CRAT formation has a significant association with catheter-related infection. The need for early diagnosis and various treatment options for this entity are highlighted.

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Awareness of persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC), a rare congenital variant is helpful to a clinician to avoid the unnecessary complications. We report a case of PLSVC in a patient with chronic kidney disease which was identified following a difficult catheterization into the right internal jugular vein (IJV). The catheterization was attempted through the left IJV and the position of which could not be confirmed with check radiograph and two-dimensional echo. PLSVC was suspected in the computed tomography angiography and was confirmed following digital subtraction angiography.

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Prevalence of obesity is growing in the general population as well as among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients requiring dialysis. Obesity often leads to a situation when a mature outflow vein is located deeper than 6 mm and is difficult to cannulate. These obese patients usually require additional procedures to able to successfully cannulate the fistula. The available surgical options include: outflow vein elevation, liposuction, and lipectomy. We present a case of a 57-year-old obese female with ESRD and matured, deeply running, inadequate for cannulation arteriovenous fistula. We present a technique of lipectomy with wide resection of adipose tissue from superior and lateral surfaces of outflow vein. Postoperatively, the skin without the underlying adipose tissue collapses allowing easy cannulation of the long segment of outflow vein with two needles. Lipectomy of mature but deeply located outflow vein is a second-stage elective procedure. Wide resection of adipose tissue helps create easy to access cannulation zone in obese individuals.

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Ralstonia mannitolilytica is a Gram-negative soil bacteria. It is an emerging opportunistic pathogen in hospital-acquired infections. Maintenance hemodialysis patients at Manipal Hospital Outpatient Haemodialysis unit, Bengaluru, witnessed an outbreak of R. mannitolilytica infection between October 2016 and November 2016. Five patients were infected and one of them presented with infective endocarditis. All patients were successfully treated with antibiotic according to culture and sensitivity pattern. Immediately following the outbreak, environmental sampling was done. The culture from sterile water was positive for R. mannitolilytica growth. The Department of Infection Control ordered for discarding the whole batch of sterile water followed by water treatment with shock chlorination and room disinfection. Following implementation of the same, the outbreak of R. mannitolilytica infection was controlled. R. mannitolilytica infections are hospital acquired, affecting mainly immunocompromised patients. The disease onset and progression is rapid. Early identification of the organism and treatment with appropriate antibiotics is important.

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Diuretics are the mainstay of treatment of refractory heart failure. There is a high incidence of dyselectrolytemia and suboptimal response due to diuretic resistance. Ultrafiltration by peritoneal route can be a safe and effective alternative. This study aims to study the ultrafiltration by peritoneal route in refractory heart failure patients with respect to change in functional status, renal parameters, left ventricular ejection fraction, number of days of hospitalization, and level of myocardial depressant factors. This was a prospective observational study conducted in Nephrology Department of tertiary care hospital. We studied patients with refractory heart failure who had persistent symptoms requiring frequent admissions despite optimal medical decongestion or had dyselectrolytemia with worsening renal parameters. The data were collected at baseline and then after 6 months of starting ultrafiltration. A total of 30 participants were studied. All the patients were in NYHA functional status Class IV before peritoneal ultrafiltration. There was a significant improvement in functional status and only 14 patients (46%) had Class III to Class IV status after application of ultrafiltration. (P < 0.001) There was a significant improvement in duration of hospital stay (75.8 ± 43.3 days to 7.8 ± 12.4, P > 0.001), serum creatinine (3.18 ± 0.98 to 2.16 ± 0.79 mg/dl, P < 0.001), and left ventricular ejection fraction [29.3 ± 7.4 (%) to 48.5 ± 11.8 (%), P < 0.0001] post ultrafiltration. There was also significant improvement in level of myocardial depressant factors (IL-1, IL-6, TNF alpha). Ultrafiltration by peritoneal route seems to be an effective alternative and should be offered to patients with chronic heart failure who are symptomatic despite maximal medical treatment.

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Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinico-radiologic entity characterized by headache, altered level of consciousness, seizures, visual disturbances, and reversible vasogenic subcortical edema. Hypertension and renal failure are well known principal risk factors for the development of PRES. However, risk factors and outcome of PRES has not been studied in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). The objective of this study is to characterize the factors predisposing to the development of PRES in patients on MHD. We performed a retrospective analysis in patients of MHD who were diagnosed with PRES between August 1, 2013, and July 31, 2015. Those with a history of cerebrovascular accidents/stroke, and epilepsy were excluded. We analyzed the clinical details, course, and laboratory data. One year follow-up data were noted in recurrence of PRES and mortality. A total of 18 patients were included for the final analysis. Of these, 13 (72%) patients were males. Majority of these patients were young and mean age was 21.1 years (6–50 years). Most of the PRES episodes developed shortly after initiation of MHD with mean duration of 2 months after initiation of MHD (1 month–3 years). All 18 patients had resistant hypertension. Eight (45%) patients had infection at the time of PRES episodes. Four patients had catheter-related bloodstream infection, 1 had pneumonia and 3 patients were recently diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. Four (22%) patients developed recurrence of PRES and all these episodes developed within 2 months of index event. Seven (39%) patients underwent renal transplantation, and all received triple immune suppression and had uncontrolled hypertension in the perioperative period. However, none of these patients developed PRES after transplantation. All these patients had been maintaining stable graft function in the follow-up. All episodes of PRES were of generalized tonic–clonic seizure type and 6 of them presented as status epilepticus. None of them had any neurological sequel and no mortality at the end of 1 year. PRES is not uncommon in patients on MHD. Uncontrolled hypertension and infection are common predisposing factors. Renal transplantation is safe and not adversely affected by prior episodes of PRES in MHD.

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We conducted a randomized crossover trial to identify whether the use of citrate dialysate (CD) for bicarbonate hemodialysis is beneficial compared to regular acetate dialysate (AD) in terms of adequacy, reuse, and quality of life. Thirty-two stable end-stage renal disease patients on twice-weekly maintenance hemodialysis were randomly assigned to CD or AD fluid in a single-blinded randomized prospective crossover trial of 1-year duration. The primary outcomes studied were the impact of CD in comparison with AD on hemodialysis adequacy, reuse of dialyzer, and quality of life. Secondary outcomes studied were the effect on intradialytic hypotension, acidosis correction, and episodes of symptomatic hypocalcemia. A total number of 28 patients underwent a total of 1456 sessions of hemodialysis with CD over 6 months and 1456 sessions with AD over 6 months. There was a significant increase in dialyzer reuse with the use of CD (P = 0.02). There was no difference in dialyzer adequacy as measured by Single pool Kt/V (spKt/V) (P = 0.840) and urea reduction ratio (%) (P = 0.90). Quality of life did not differ between the two groups. No statistically significant difference was observed in predialysis arterial pH (P = 0.23) serum bicarbonate (0.17) and calcium change (P = 0.16). CD is safe and equally effective as compared to AD. It significantly improves the reuse of dialyzer but it does not offer any added advantage in terms of improvement in hemodialysis adequacy and quality of care.

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The cephalic vein is formed over the “anatomical snuff box” and joins the axillary vein just below the clavicular level. The definition of cephalic arch is varied. In the radiology literature, it is defined as the central perpendicular portion of the cephalic vein as it traverses the deltopectoral groove and joins the axillary vein. The possible etiologies of cephalic arch stenosis are numerous. This study aimed to identify patients with cephalic arch stenosis and to discern the domain site of stenosis. This is a retrospective case series of patients who had an arteriovenous fistula with dysfunction of access and ipsilateral upper-limb edema. The clinical features of the access dysfunction were strong pulse due to increased pressure, weak thrill due to poor proximal flow, high static pressure, or decreased dialysis efficiency. All these 25 patients underwent computed tomography (CT) angiogram. The CT angiographic findings revealed cephalic arch stenosis and stenosis in 13 patients (52%). domain IV was slightly more affected than other domains of cephalic arch.

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BK polyomavirus (BKV) is a challenging problem for the transplant nephrologist. Various strategies have been used to prevent or treat BK virus nephropathy (BKVN). These include reduction in immunosuppression, intravenous immune globulin, cidofovir, leflunomide, and the fluoroquinolone antibiotics. All these agents have their own toxicities. Great interest was shown to use fluoroquinolones to prevent BKVN after its useful experience was reported in bone marrow transplant. Fluoroquinolones being cheap and easily available, attracted nephrologists to use it, for prevention of BKVN. These agents have been shown in vitro studies to be effective. However, there are mixed results about their effectiveness in prevention of BKVN in clinical setting. This review will focus the evidence available for using fluoroquinolones in prevention of BKVN and its usefulness. Furthermore, a way forward to use these agents or not for prevention of BKVN will also be discussed.

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