Infective Endocarditis in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients: Specificities and Therapeutic Management

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a frequent complication in chronic hemodialysis patients (CHD). The repeated placement and manipulation of central venous catheters, underlying valvulopathies, and immunosuppression are the main predisposing factors for these patients to develop IE. We aimed to highlight the clinical and microbiological specificities of IE in CHD patients, detail the therapeutic management in these patients and identify the risk factors for in-hospital mortality. We included 28 CHD patients in whom the diagnosis of IE was established according to modified Duke criteria. The mean age was 47 ± 17 years. Among them, 57% were hypertensive and 39% were diabetic. The average duration of hemodialysis was 3.5 ± 7 years. The vascular access was a tunnelled jugular catheter, arteriovenous fistula, and temporary catheter in 54%, 28%, and 18% of patients, respectively. Half of the patients presented with heart failure at admission. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus is the most commonly implicated pathogen. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed vegetation in all patients. In 60% of cases, the lesion is located on the mitral valve, and in 35% it is on the tricuspid valve. Patients initially received empirical antibiotic therapy, which was adjusted according to bacteriological results. Valve surgery was indicated in 12 patients, with aortic valve replacement being the most performed procedure followed by tricuspid annuloplasty. The in-hospital mortality rate was 32%. Factors associated with mortality were severe mitral insufficiency (p = 0.036), heart failure (p = 0.043), and the presence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus in blood cultures (p = 0.047). IE is a complication with high morbidity and mortality. Its increasing incidence, specificities in chronic CHD patients, and the complexity of its management require a rigorous preventive strategy. A multidisciplinary collaboration between nephrologists, infectious disease specialists, cardiologists, and surgeons is crucial to optimize therapeutic management.

Pathological Fractures in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients in a Teaching Hospital in Senegal: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors

Introduction: The lack of follow-up and adequate management of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) in chronic hemodialysis patients is associated with pathological fractures. Few studies are available on the subject in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of pathological fractures in our chronic hemodialysis patients, to analyze their clinical aspects and to determine the factors associated with their occurrence. Patients and Methods: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study over 9 years (January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2020) based on the medical records of chronic hemodialysis patients at the CHU Aristide Le Dantec. The diagnosis of pathological fracture was retained in front of any fracture occurring spontaneously or following minimal trauma and confirmed by X-ray. Results: Nineteen cases of pathological fractures were collected with a hospital prevalence of 19.39%. The mean age was 53.32 ± 13.94 years with a sex ratio of 0.36. The average seniority in dialysis was 84.16 ± 29.88 months. Among these patients, one had had 3 episodes of fractures and another 6 episodes. The circumstances of occurrence of the fractures were the fall in 63% of the cases, spontaneously in 37% of the cases. The predominant site of fractures was the femoral neck (47.38% cases). Female gender (p 5 years (p = 0.049), gait disturbances prior to the fracture (p = 0.001), positive CRP (p = 0.028) and the presence of vascular calcifications (p = 0.002) were significantly associated with the occurrence of pathological fractures. Conclusion: This study has identified the factors associated with the occurrence of pathological invoices in hemodialysis patients in our context. These fractures are often associated with the lack of regular biological follow-up due to the low socioeconomic level of our patients.

Nutritional Status in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients

Hitherto, there has been no systematic evaluation of the nutritional status of HD patients in Thailand. 27 patients awaiting renal transplantation, 19 M 8 F, age 47.2 ± 8.6y (mean±SD), underwent HD at Ramathibodi Hospital. Dietary assessment revealed the average daily intake of men and women to be respectively 1571 ±314 and 1379 ± 403 kcal, 47 ± 11 and 42 ± 14 g protein. Anthropometric data showed that mean of BMI,percent ideal body weight (%IBW), percent standard triceps skinfold thickness (%TSF) and percent arm muscle circumference (%std MUAMC) to be 20.5 ± 2.6 kg/m2, 90±12, 75 ±30 and 100±13, respectively. However, 37%, 56% and 70% of these patients had BMI, BW and MUAC less than the minimal cut-off levels. These data reflect the importance of energy depletion in these patients. The average serum albumin was 39 ± 6 g/L while 52% suffered from low albumin levels. TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and TG were 4.34 ± 1.34, 2.9 ±1.06, 0.89 ± 0.33 and 1.10 ± 0.67 mmol/L while 15% had high TC, LDL-C and 58% had low HDL-C levels. Only one patient was suffered from hypertriglyceridemia. Whereas inadequate thiamine, riboflavin, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol status were present in 4-30%, toxic levels of serum retinol were seen in almost all patients. Low serum zinc and copper levels were also present. This study disclosed a wide spectrum of nutritional problems usually overlooked in CRF patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Whereas zinc supplementation may be needed, vitamin A suppIementation in these patients should be discouraged

Interdialytic 24-Hours Ambulatory Blood Pressure versus Dialysis Unit Blood Pressure for the Diagnosis of Electrocardiographic-Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Chronic Hemodialysis Black Patients

Background and Aim: In hemodialysis patients, 24-hours interdialytic ABPM better detects TOD than dialysis unit blood pressure. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of 24-hours ABPM vs. dialysis unit BPs for the diagnosis of ECG-LVH in steady state chronic hemodialysis black patients. Methods: From March 31 to September 30, 2018, interdialytic ABPM was performed after a mid-week hemodialysis session for 24 hours using a Spacelab 90207 ABPM monitor in the non-access arm in 45 stable chronic hemodialysis black patients (age ≥ 20 years, hemodialysis for at least 3 months and informed consent) attending 3 hemodialysis centers in Kinshasa. Ambulatory BP was recorded every 20 minutes during the day (6 AM to 10 PM) and every 30 minutes during the night (10 PM to 6 AM). ECG-LVH was defined using Cornell product criteria. ROC curve method was used to assess the performance of dialysis unit BPs vs. interdialytic 24-hours ABPM in diagnosing ECG-LVH. P 0.05 defined the level of statistical significance. Results: Whatever the method of BP measurement, all the SBP values were related to ECG-LVH with similar AUC and overlapping 95% CI;however, they were not significantly different from each other. 24-hours interdialytic ambulatory SBP (AUC 0.748;95% CI 0.58 - 0.94) had the highest area under the curve. Conclusion: The present study showed that although all the two BP measurement methods equally detected ECG-LVH, 24-hours ABPM tended to have the highest diagnostic performance.

Pulmonary Hypertension in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients at Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital

Introduction: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is defined as high blood pressure in the lungs. It is recently described as a vascular disease entity in chronic kidney disease, particularly for chronic hemodialysis patients. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of PH, to describe clinico-biological and morphological characteristics and to identify risk factors associated with PH in hemodialysis patients. Patients and methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study during a period of 8 months from January 1, 2019, to August 31, 2019, in the hemodialysis center of nephrology department of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital. All chronic hemodialysis patients for more than 3 months and with PH confirmed by cardiac doppler ultrasound were included. Results: During the study period, 25/94 patients on chronic hemodialysis, presented with pulmonary hypertension (26.6%). The mean age was 49.3 ± 12.9 years. The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.92. Exertional dyspnea was found in 18 patients (72%). Cardiac auscultation revealed an arrhythmia in 3 patients (12%), augmented second heart sound in 12 patients (48%). On transthoracic doppler ultrasound, pulmonary systolic arterial pressure was on average 51.4 ± 13.2 mmHg. PH was moderate in 13 patients (52%), mild in 9 patients (36%) and severe in 3 patients (12%). The left ventricular ejection fraction was altered in 9 patients (36%). Three patients (12%) had valve calcifications. They were mainly located at aortic valve (8%) and mitral valve (4%). The major risk factors associated to PH in our patients are pathological fractures (p = 0.023), aortic calcifications (p = 0.023), ischemic heart disease (p = 0.023). The duration of hemodialysis represents another favoring factor (p = 0.042). Also implicated are arrhythmias (p = 0.004), high cardiac index (p = 0.043), ventricular dilatation (p = 0.034) and left atrial dilation (p = 0.015), as well as dilation of the inferior vena cava (p = 0.048).

Ophthalmological Manifestations in Chronic Hemodialyzed Patients:A 132 Cases Study in Abidjan

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the eye signs seen in patients on chronic hemodialysis at Cocody University Hospital and the factors influencing their occurrence. Material and Methods: We carried out in the Ophthalmology Department of Cocody University Hospital a cross-sectional study over 15 months. It focused on 132 patients on chronic hemodialysis followed in the hemodialysis department of Cocody University Hospital. Results: Hypertensive nephropathy was the leading cause of chronic renal failure (58%). The most common ocular functional sign was loss of visual acuity (LVA) (38%), followed by ocular pruritus (22%). Twenty-one percent (21%) of our patients were visually impaired (MAVLC Discussion: Eye manifestations in people with chronic renal failure and on hemodialysis are variable. Several factors are involved, mainly hypertension;first and foremost is hypertension. Correction of these factors is necessary to prevent blindness.

Intra-Dialytique Hypotension: Prevalence and Associated Factors in 2 Haemodialysis Centres in Senegal

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Intra-dialytic hypotension (IDH) according to the European Best Practice Guidelines (EBPG) definition in relation to the number of haemodialysis sessions and the number of chronic haemodialysis patients and to identify its associated factors. Patients and Methods: We conducted an observational, multicentre and looking-forward study of descriptive and analytical purposes over a 4-week period. The study included all patients with regular chronic haemodialysis with at least two sessions per week and a duration of 180 minutes, who consented to participate in the study and were over 15 years of age. Data collection was done with pre-established forms. The following data were collected: blood pressure before each session, at 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 minutes of each session;socio-demographic data;dialysis data;clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic data and nursing interventions. Results: The mean age of the patients was 43.84 ± 12.10 years. Among 568 haemodialysis sessions recorded in 50 patients, IDH was noted in 12 haemodialysis sessions, representing a prevalence of 2.11%. Fatigue was found in 5 sessions with IDH episodes (41.66%) followed by yawning (25%), nausea ± vomiting (16.66%) and cramps (16.66%). As nursing interventions, Trendelenburg position and normal saline administration were performed in all IDH episodes. High blood pressure, inter-dialytic weight gain greater than 3 kg, Uf/H > 10 ml/kg/H, anaemia and hypoalbuminaemia were associated with the occurrence of IDH. Conclusion: The prevalence of IDH according to the EBPG definition is low. However, it is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially cardiovascular involvement, and the factors associated with its presence have been clearly identified.

Interest of Beta-2-Microglobilin Plasma Assay in Iterative Haemodialysis in the Nephrology and Haemodialysis Department of University Teaching Hospital of Point G, Bamako, Mali

Beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) is a low molecular weight polypeptide (11,800 Da) that exists in a free form and a form bound to cell membranes (light chains of HLA class I molecules). Their dosage is used in the exploration and monitoring of renal function in haemodialysis patients, hence the interest of this study, the objective of which is to study the different players involved in the increase of beta-2-microglobulin. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective and descriptive study from January 1st, 2017 to August 31, 2017 (08 months). All patients with chronic hemodialysis for 3 years or more were included. We analyzed sociodemographic, clinical and paraclinical data. Results: We collected 50 patients. The mean age was 50 ± 4.6 years with extremes of 30 and 82 years. The female sex predominated (52%). Chronic end-stage renal failure was hypertensive (86%), diabetic (4%). All patients benefited from intermittent hemodialysis for 8 hours per week using a low permeability membrane (cuprophane). The average duration of hemodialysis was 68 ± 6.4 months with extremes of 36 and 204 months. Twenty percent (20%) and four percent (4%) of chronic dialysis patients had joint pain and sensory deficit. Phalen’s sign was positive in 2% (1 case), Tinel’s sign in 2% (1 case) and carpal tunnel syndrome in 2% (1 case). The mean serum beta-2-microglobulin level was 58.34 ng/l with extremes of 16.99 and 112.24 ng/l. There was a correlation between hypertensive nephropathies and beta-2-microglobulin levels above 50 ng/l (P < 0.001). The mortality rate was 6%. Conclusion: Our study has objectified factors such as inadequate dialysis (8 hours/week), use of low permeability membrane in the increase of beta-2-microglobulin. The increase in serum beta-2-microglobulin levels in our patients is evidence of poor purification of medium molecules. Its reduction can be established by improving the quality of dialysis, in particular by using a high-permeability membrane.

两种不同血液净化方式对慢性肾衰竭尿毒症患者透析效果的对比观察

目的:探讨两种不同血液净化方式对慢性肾衰竭尿毒症患者透析效果的对比观察。方法:选择100例慢性肾衰竭尿毒症患者,随机将其分为观察组与对照组,每组50例。对照组患者采用血液透析滤过治疗,观察组患者采用高通量血液透析治疗,比较两组患者治疗前后血清中毒素清除效果及认知功能改善情况。结果:两组患者大分子、中分子及小分子毒素水平以及认知功能均有较大改善,与治疗前相比差异有统计学意义(t=4.113,t=0.430,t=1.038,t=0.346,P<0.05)。治疗后观察组患者血磷、甲状旁腺激素低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=-4.189,t=4.113,P<0.05)。观察组患者认知功能P300波的波峰潜伏期(PL)和波幅(Amp)均优于对照组患者,差异有统计学意义(t=15.023,t=3.428,P<0.05)。结论:两种血液净化方式均对慢性肾衰竭尿毒症患者具有良好的治疗效果,但高通量血液透析对半胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂C(Cys C)、甲状旁腺激素和血磷的清除效果以及认知功能的改善作用均优于血液透析滤过。