Search

Removal of uraemic toxins can be increased by online haemodiafiltration. At present, it is unclear whether online haemodia-filtration ultimately improves clinical outcomes in chronic haemodialysis patients. The Dutch 'Convective transport study' (CONTRAST) is an ongoing trial comparing standard haemodialysis with online haemodiafiltration. This randomised controlled trial will provide substantial clinical evidence on the effects of haemodiafiltration on fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, compared with standard haemodialysis.

Early optimalization of the treatment of patients with chronic renal insufficiency can reduce morbidity and deaths. For each patient with a raised serum creatinine concentration, the creatinine clearance should be measured or calculated. When this is abnormal, the cause thereof should be investigated. Chronic renal insufficiency is often progressive, even when the initiating factors are no longer present. Progression can be delayed by treating the high blood pressure, proteinuria and hyperlipidemia by means of a restricted protein diet and advice not to smoke. Acute deterioration of an existing chronic renal dysfunction through dehydration and underfill or through the use of certain medications or toxic substances such as radio-opaque media should be avoided. In patients with chronic renal insufficiency specific attention should be paid not only to hypertension, lipid disturbances, smoking and weight, but also to the calcium-phosphate balance, anaemia and homocysteine levels. The blood pressure, oedema and weight of patients with a clearance between 30-59 ml/min should be checked 2-3 times a year, in addition to laboratory tests for Hb, Ht, creatinine, urea, potassium, calcium, phosphate, pH, bicarbonate and lipid spectrum. It is recommended that when creatinine clearance (< 50 ml/min) falls a nephrologist should be consulted at least once with respect to the strategy to be followed. Symptoms of chronic renal insufficiency can occur when the creatinine clearance is < 30 ml/min. This relates to: sodium retention, imbalances in the calcium and phosphate levels, anaemia, uraemia, water retention, potassium retention and metabolic acidosis. Referral should take place at a creatinine clearance of < or = 30 ml/min.

Three patients reaching end-stage renal failure were referred to an internist-nephrologist. A 53-year old woman was referred late, with several late complications of chronic renal failure such as secondary hyperparathyroidism and signs of left ventricular hypertrophy. In addition she suffered from complications of a temporary vascular access required for intermittent haemodialysis prior to commencing peritoneal dialysis. A 52-year old man was referred early, resulting in reduced late complications of chronic renal failure and the timely start of peritoneal dialysis. An 84-year old man was referred for optimization of metabolic control and to be informed about the possibilities and consequences of renal replacement therapy, which he subsequently refused. With early consultation or referral to a nephrologist (i.e. when the creatinine clearance is < 30 ml/min) complications associated with chronic renal insufficiency can be identified and treated early, with the intention of preventing or reducing their impact, resulting in reduced morbidity and death, even after starting dialysis treatment.

Essential hypertension appears to be more prevalent among blacks than among whites and has an earlier onset in blacks. Many data in this field come from studies in the African-American population. Hypertension-related complications, e.g. ischaemic heart disease, (end stage) renal failure and cerebrovascular disease, are encountered more often among blacks and frequently run a more severe course. Factors that might explain the racial difference in prevalence of hypertension and hypertensive complications include both genetic and environmental variables. Hypertension in blacks is characterized by salt sensitivity, a tendency towards expanded plasma volume and low plasma renin levels. Socioeconomic factors, the higher prevalence of obesity and insulin resistance may contribute to the high prevalence of hypertension in blacks. Aggressive antihypertensive therapy appears mandatory in the black hypertensive, possibly with lower goal blood pressures than the 140/90 mmHg generally recommended. Diuretic monotherapy proves to be the first-line therapy, calcium channel blockers are an attractive alternative. Black patients are frequently less responsive to monotherapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta-blocking agents. This black/white difference in therapeutic response can, however, be eliminated by addition of a diuretic.

Albumin infusions are given far from always on the correct indications, and often there are alternatives that are cheaper and equally suitable. In septic or hypovolaemic shock, crystalline fluids are cheaper and equally efficacious for volume therapy. It is only in sporadic patients with a nephrotic syndrome that colloidal solutions such as albumin are indicated in hypovolaemia. Albumin infusion has no place in the combating of oedema. In decompensated hepatic cirrhosis with ascites, it appears useful to combine paracentesis with albumin infusion, to prevent renal insufficiency and hyponatraemia, but other colloidal fluids are probably equally suitable. Combating hypoalbuminemia as such is not useful in seriously ill patients; it is the underlying disease that should be treated.