Introduction: The use of repeated thermal therapy for improving the symptoms of chronic heart failure (CHF) has been recently demonstrated. Usually, thermal therapy requires an infrared dry sauna. However, it is diffi...Introduction: The use of repeated thermal therapy for improving the symptoms of chronic heart failure (CHF) has been recently demonstrated. Usually, thermal therapy requires an infrared dry sauna. However, it is difficult for small clinics to acquire such an expensive and extensive system. The author assessed the efficacy of its substitution with hot water bottles. Moreover, there are no prior studies demonstrating the efficacy of thermal therapy in hemodialysis patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: The author evaluated plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in 98 hemodialysis patients in a clinic. A total of nine patients whose BNP levels were more than 500 pg/mL agreed to be enrolled in this study and received thermal therapy using hot water bottles. Results: Plasma BNP levels, a potential marker for CHF, tended to decrease (891 ± 448 pg/mL to 680 ± 339 pg/mL), but the difference was not significant (P = 0.0845). The oral temperature changed from 36.44℃± 0.45℃ to 37.04℃ ± 0.48℃ (+0.597℃, P < 0.0001). No side effects were experienced during the therapy. Moreover, most patients had an improvement in their symptoms and the ability to perform activities of daily living. Conclusion: Thermal therapy using hot water bottles is very safe and tends to reduce plasma BNP levels in hemodialysis patients with CHF.展开更多
Background Cardiovascular disease （CVD） is the leading cause of death in patients with end-stage renal disease （ESRD）. We explored the relationship between CVD, plasma brain natriuretic peptide （BNP） and copepti...Background Cardiovascular disease （CVD） is the leading cause of death in patients with end-stage renal disease （ESRD）. We explored the relationship between CVD, plasma brain natriuretic peptide （BNP） and copeptin in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease （CKD）. Methods BNP and copeptin were measured using ELISA in 86 non-dialysis patients with different degrees of CKD and in 20 control patients. The effects of BNP, copeptin levels and other biochemical indices on carotid ultrasound echocardiography and CVD history were determined using correlation analysis. Results BNP and copeptin levels were significantly higher in the CKD group than in the control group. Both indices increased progressively, in parallel with the decline in glomerular filtration rate （GFR）. BNP levels were （184.25±65.18） ng/L in early phase CKD, （975.245±354.09） ng/L in middle phase CKD, and （1463.51±614.92） ng/ml in end phase CKD compared with levels of （101.56±42.76） ng/L in the control group （all P 〈0.01）. Copeptin levels in the middle phase （（20.36±9.47） pmol/L） and end phase groups （（54.26±18.23） pmol/L were significantly higher than in the control group （（9.21±2.64） pmol/L; both P 〈0.01）. There was no difference in copeptin levels between early phase CKD （（10.09±5.23） pmol/L） and control patients. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified GFR, intima-media thickness （IMT）, left ventricular hypertrophy （LVH）, and previous history of CVD as independent risk factors for elevated BNP and copeptin levels. Conclusion BNP and copeptin appear to provide sensitive biological markers for the evaluation of atherosclerosis in non-dialysis patients with CKD.展开更多
文摘Introduction: The use of repeated thermal therapy for improving the symptoms of chronic heart failure (CHF) has been recently demonstrated. Usually, thermal therapy requires an infrared dry sauna. However, it is difficult for small clinics to acquire such an expensive and extensive system. The author assessed the efficacy of its substitution with hot water bottles. Moreover, there are no prior studies demonstrating the efficacy of thermal therapy in hemodialysis patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: The author evaluated plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in 98 hemodialysis patients in a clinic. A total of nine patients whose BNP levels were more than 500 pg/mL agreed to be enrolled in this study and received thermal therapy using hot water bottles. Results: Plasma BNP levels, a potential marker for CHF, tended to decrease (891 ± 448 pg/mL to 680 ± 339 pg/mL), but the difference was not significant (P = 0.0845). The oral temperature changed from 36.44℃± 0.45℃ to 37.04℃ ± 0.48℃ (+0.597℃, P < 0.0001). No side effects were experienced during the therapy. Moreover, most patients had an improvement in their symptoms and the ability to perform activities of daily living. Conclusion: Thermal therapy using hot water bottles is very safe and tends to reduce plasma BNP levels in hemodialysis patients with CHF.
文摘Background Cardiovascular disease （CVD） is the leading cause of death in patients with end-stage renal disease （ESRD）. We explored the relationship between CVD, plasma brain natriuretic peptide （BNP） and copeptin in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease （CKD）. Methods BNP and copeptin were measured using ELISA in 86 non-dialysis patients with different degrees of CKD and in 20 control patients. The effects of BNP, copeptin levels and other biochemical indices on carotid ultrasound echocardiography and CVD history were determined using correlation analysis. Results BNP and copeptin levels were significantly higher in the CKD group than in the control group. Both indices increased progressively, in parallel with the decline in glomerular filtration rate （GFR）. BNP levels were （184.25±65.18） ng/L in early phase CKD, （975.245±354.09） ng/L in middle phase CKD, and （1463.51±614.92） ng/ml in end phase CKD compared with levels of （101.56±42.76） ng/L in the control group （all P 〈0.01）. Copeptin levels in the middle phase （（20.36±9.47） pmol/L） and end phase groups （（54.26±18.23） pmol/L were significantly higher than in the control group （（9.21±2.64） pmol/L; both P 〈0.01）. There was no difference in copeptin levels between early phase CKD （（10.09±5.23） pmol/L） and control patients. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified GFR, intima-media thickness （IMT）, left ventricular hypertrophy （LVH）, and previous history of CVD as independent risk factors for elevated BNP and copeptin levels. Conclusion BNP and copeptin appear to provide sensitive biological markers for the evaluation of atherosclerosis in non-dialysis patients with CKD.
