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Background Arteriovenous fistulas are critical for haemodialysis, but maturation rates remain poor. Experimental and anecdotal evidence has supported the use of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate ( GTN) patches. The aim of this RCT was to determine whether use of a GTN patch aids arteriovenous fistula maturation. Methods Patients referred for arteriovenous fistula formation were eligible. The GTN or placebo patch was applied immediately after surgery and left in situ for 24 h. The primary outcome measure was the change in venous diameter at 6 weeks after fistula formation. The secondary outcome measure was clinical fistula patency at 6 weeks. Results Of 200 patients recruited (533 screened), 101 were randomized to the placebo group and 99 to the GTN group. Of these, 81 and 86 respectively completed surgery, and had follow-up data available at 6 weeks. Improvements in venous diameter were similar in the two groups: mean(s.d.) increase 2·3(1·9) mm in the placebo group compared with 2·2(1·8) mm in the GTN group ( P = 0·704). The fistula failure rate did not differ significantly between the two groups: 23 per cent for placebo and 28 per cent for GTN ( P = 0·596). Conclusion GTN transdermal patches used for 24 h after surgery did not improve arteriovenous fistula maturation. Registration number: NCT01685710 (). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important event in solid organ transplantation is the early expression of cytokines at tissue sites. IL-18 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the innate immune response, and has a key role in the activation of infiltrating immunocompetent cells which direct allograft injury. Animal models suggest that IL-18 may be produced by renal tubular epithelial cells. Post-perfusion biopsies from 11 patients were assessed by 3-stage indirect immunohistochemistry using an IgGl anti-IL-18 ab. In post-perfusion biopsies IL-18 expression was predominantly localised to tubular epithelial cells.

Presents correspondence between medical practitioners as of September 21, 2002. Insulin-like growth factor-I genotype and birthweight; Effects of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors; Helicobacter pylori infection in elderly patients; Leishmania spp infection in injecting drug users; Others.

Introduction: Hypothermic machine perfusion, an organ preservation modality, involves flow of chilled preservation fluid through an allograft's vasculature. This study describes a simple, reproducible, human model that allows for interrogation of flow effects during ex vivo organ perfusion., Materials and Methods: Gonadal veins from deceased human renal allografts were subjected to either static cold storage or hypothermic machine perfusion for up to 24 hours. Caspase-3, Krüppel-like factor 2 expression and electron microscopic analysis were compared between 'flow' and 'no-flow' conditions, with living donor gonadal vein sections serving as negative controls., Results: The increase in caspase-3 expression was less pronounced for hypothermic machine-perfused veins compared with static cold storage (median-fold increase 1.2 vs 2.3; P < 0.05). Transmission electron microscopy provided ultrastructural corroboration of endothelial cell apoptosis in static cold storage conditions. For static cold storage preserved veins, Krüppel-like factor 2 expression diminished in a time-dependent manner between baseline and 12 hours ( P < 0.05) but was abrogated and reversed by hypothermic machine perfusion ( P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Our methodology is a simple, reproducible and successful model of ex vivo perfusion in the context of human organ preservation. To demonstrate the model's utility, we establish that two widely used markers of endothelial health (caspase-3 and Krüppel-like factor 2) differ between the flow and no-flow conditions of the two predominant kidney preservation modalities. These findings suggest that ex vivo perfusion may mediate the induction of a biochemically favourable endothelial niche which may contribute tohypothermic machine perfusion's association with improved renal transplantation outcomes.

Conflicting evidence surrounds clinical outcomes in obese individuals after transplantation; nonetheless, many are denied the opportunity to receive a transplant. Allografts with complex vascular anatomy are regularly used in both deceased and living donor settings. We established the risk of transplanting kidneys with multiple renal arteries into obese recipients. A retrospective analysis of data from 1095 patients undergoing renal transplantation between January 2004 and July 2013 at a single centre was conducted. Of these, 24.2% were obese (body mass index >30 kg/m(2)), whereas 25.1% of kidneys transplanted had multiple arteries, thereby making the transplantation of kidneys of complex anatomy into obese recipients a relatively common clinical occurrence. Vessel multiplicity was associated with inferior 1-year graft survival (85.8.% vs 92.1%, P = .004). Obese patients had worse 1-graft survival compared to those of normal BMI (86.8% vs 93.8%, P = .001). The risk of vascular complications and of graft loss within a year after transplantation were greater when grafts with multiple arteries were transplanted into obese recipients as compared to their nonobese counterparts (RR 2.00, CI 95% 1.07-3.65, and RR 1.95, CI 95% 1.02-3.65). Additionally, obese patients faced significantly higher risk of graft loss if receiving a kidney with multiple arteries compared to one of normal anatomy (RR 1.97, 95% CI 1.02-3.72). Thus, obese patients receiving complex anatomy kidneys face poorer outcomes, which should be considered when allocating organs, seeking consent, and arranging for aftercare., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The ethical debate surrounding the payment of living unrelated donors continues despite very little evidence regarding the outcome. The aim of this audit was to identify the scale of the problem and assess the results of patients undergoing these procedures. The large Indo-Asian population within our region has a high demand for renal replacement therapy and transplantation. These patients have a limited chance of receiving a transplant for several reasons and some resort to traveling abroad, against medical advice, to procure an unrelated donor kidney transplant. Following an initial audit in our region, a national audit was conducted within the UK. A total of 23 patients were identified, all of whom had done so against medical advice. Mortality from causes directly related to transplantation was high in this group (35%), as was graft loss. The overall rate of successful transplants was only 44% (overall graft loss was 56%) in the short term. The information regarding both donor and recipient, provided from the transplanting center, was inadequate in all cases. These results, which almost certainly represent an underestimate of an ongoing situation, reinforce the standpoint that organ trading is associated with unacceptable risks and poor outcomes. The basis of this trade in organs is based on monetary rather than clinical criteria and such exploitation of both donor and recipient lead us to conclude that this practice cannot be endorsed and even the most desperate dialysis patients should be reminded of the unacceptable risks involved in this practice.

Although a general imbalance exists between the demand for renal transplants and the supply of suitable organs, the shortfall is particularly severe for patients from the Indo-Asian (I-A) community. It seems unlikely that this will be remedied by any increase in cadaveric donation. Our aim was to increase the rate of live donor transplantation (LDT) in the I-A population through a direct approach to patients and their families, in a culturally acceptable environment by an Asian transplant coordinator. Whereas an increase in LDT was seen in the I-A population over the period of review, 1997 to 2003, 15 compared with none prior to 1997, significant attrition was seen within the program, with only 10% of the original cohort coming to donation. There are multiple reasons for this including medical, social and psychological.