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Introduction: The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection control on other infections in patients with dialysis has not received sufficient consideration. Methods: We compared hospitalization and mortality rates among patients who underwent hemodialysis (HD) at three dialysis centers before (March 2018–February 2020) and during (March 2020–February 2022) the COVID‐19 pandemic. Results: This study included 1696 patients undergoing HD (mean age, 70 years; 1099 men). Compared to before the COVID‐19 pandemic, the emergency hospitalization rate (per 100 dialysis patient‐years) for non‐severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) respiratory infectious diseases (IDs) (7.0 vs. 4.1, p < 0.001) significantly decreased during the COVID‐19 pandemic, whereas the hospitalization rates for other IDs were comparable. The mortality rates for non‐SARS‐CoV‐2 respiratory IDs were comparable before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Conclusions: Hospitalizations for non‐SARS‐CoV‐2 respiratory IDs among patients undergoing HD may have decreased owing to the implementation of infection control measures for COVID‐19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy. The causative factors of EPS remain unclear. Pathological studies of the peritoneum affected by EPS and relationships with clinical factors including PD solutions remain lacking. The objective of this study was to examine peritoneal samples from EPS patients and to identify the associations of peritoneal pathology with different clinical factors. Methods Peritoneal specimens were obtained at the time of surgical enterolysis in Tsuchiya General Hospital from 1993 to 2016. A total of 223 PD patients were enrolled and analyzed. Tissues were fixed with formalin and processed with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining, as well as immunohistochemical staining for CD31 and CD68. Results Evaluations could be made in 174 patients who received surgical enterolysis. Conventional or pH-neutral low-glucose degradation product PD solutions were utilized during PD treatment. The conventional PD solution group showed less angiogenesis (P = 0.013) but more severe vasculopathy, in the form of a lower ratio of luminal diameter to vessel diameter (L/V ratio) (P < 0.001) in association with longer PD treatment. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models revealed that L/V ratio (per 0.1 increase, hazard ratio = 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.77–0.99, P = 0.047) was significantly associated with a lower incidence of EPS relapse. In contrast, most of the cases in the pH-neutral solution group showed milder vasculopathy. Conclusions The pathology of EPS differed between conventional and pH-neutral solution groups. Vasculopathy was related to the development and relapse of EPS in the conventional solution group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: For dialysis patients with end-stage kidney disease, infectious diseases (IDs) are the most common causes of hospitalization and death. However, the association between dialysis modality and IDs remains unclear. We aimed to determine the association between the dialysis modality and IDs. Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study compared the emergency hospitalization and mortality for IDs between peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients. After propensity score matching, the risk factors were evaluated by the Cox proportional hazard regression models. Results: A total of 260 patients were compared – 130 of 135 PD and 130 of 706 HD patients. When the modality-specific ID (PD-catheter ID/peritonitis- and vascular access-related ID) was excluded, no significant differences in emergency hospitalization and mortality rates for overall IDs were observed between the PD and HD groups. Serum ferritin (HR, 2.17; CI, 1.06–4.43; p = 0.03) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (HR, 1.24; CI, 1.01–1.52; p = 0.04) were significant predictors of emergency hospitalization for IDs, whereas age (HR, 1.12; CI, 1.05–1.19; p < 0.001), male (HR, 3.38; CI, 1.01–11.3; p = 0.048), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (HR, 6.87; CI, 2.18–21.7; p = 0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (HR, 10.7; CI, 3.55–32.1; p < 0.001), and CCI (HR, 1.79; CI, 1.27–2.52; p < 0.001) were significant predictors of ID mortality. When modality-specific ID was included, the emergency hospitalization rate for overall IDs was higher in the PD groups, and PD was a significant predictor of emergency hospitalization for IDs, whereas no significant difference in mortality rate for overall IDs was found between the PD and HD groups. Conclusions: ID events were not associated with dialysis modality when modality-specific ID was excluded, whereas the risk of modality-specific IDs was higher in PD than HD. Serum ferritin and ALP as well as age, male sex, CRP, and CCI were the risk factors for ID events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combination therapy for COVID-19 in hemodialysis patients: Pharmacological treatments and renal replacement therapy based on the severity The mortality risk of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is higher in dialysis patients than in non-dialysis patients [1]. We conducted a combination therapy of pharmacological treatments and renal replacement therapy (RRT) for hemodialysis (HD) patients with COVID-19 between December 2020 and April 2021. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: In patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common causes of hospitalization and death. Objective: We aimed to determine the association between dialysis modality and CVDs. Methods: This retrospective observational cohort study compared the emergency hospitalization and mortality of patients with CVDs who underwent peritoneal dialysis (PD) versus hemodialysis (HD). After propensity score matching, the risk factors were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results: A total of 260 patients were matched: 130 of 135 PD (75 men; age, 65.4 years; dialysis vintage, 3.3 years) and 130 of 706 HD (70 men [p = 0.5]; 66.6 years [p = 0.4]; dialysis vintage, 3.1 years [p = 0.5]) patients. Emergency hospitalization rates (hospitalizations/person-years) for overall CVDs (0.138 vs. 0.066, p = 0.002) and pulmonary edema (0.048 vs. 0.019, p = 0.03) were significantly higher in patients who underwent PD than those who underwent HD. The log-rank test revealed that all-cause and CVD mortalities were significantly higher in PD (both p < 0.001). Mortality rates (deaths/person-years) for overall CVDs (0.058 vs. 0.015, p < 0.002), cerebrovascular disease (0.019 vs. 0.004, p = 0.03), and ischemic heart disease (0.010 vs. 0, p = 0.02) were significantly higher in PD. The Cox proportional hazards regression model showed that PD and age were significant predictors of emergency hospitalization (hazard ratio [HR] 2.70; 95% CI 1.53–4.77; p = 0.001) and mortality (HR 4.41; 95% CI 1.66–11.72; p = 0.003) for CVDs. Conclusions: PD is a risk factor for emergency hospitalization and mortality associated with CVDs in dialysis patients with ESKD. Strict control of body fluid balance may prevent cardiovascular events in patients undergoing PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Management of vascular access (VA) is essential in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, VA often fails and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is required. Conventional hemostasis at the puncture site is associated with complications. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy and safety of a hemostatic wound dressing made of calcium alginate at the puncture site of VA after PTA and evaluate other factors affecting hemostasis. Methods After PTA for VA, 200 HD patients were randomized to a calcium alginate sheet (CA) group (n  = 100) or a no drug-eluting sheet (control) group (n  = 100). We recorded time to hemostasis at the puncture site every 5 min, noting any complications. Results In the CA group, rates of hemostatic achievement at 5, 10, 15 and >15 min were 57, 25, 8 and 10%, respectively. In the control group, the rates were 39, 28, 14 and 19%, respectively. Rates of hemostatic achievement at 5 min were significantly higher in the CA group (P = 0.01). In logistic regression analysis, factors affecting hemostasis within 5 min were use of the CA sheet [odds ratio (OR) 2.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26–4.37], platelet count ≤100 000/μL (OR 0.19; 95% CI 0.04–0.69), number of antithrombotic tablets used per day ≥1 tablet (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.26–0.94) and upper arm VA (OR 0.16; 95% CI 0.03–0.55). Conclusions A CA sheet can safely reduce time to hemostasis at the puncture site after PTA, and should be considered for treating patients with a bleeding tendency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The impact of hybrid therapy comprising peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis on cardiovascular events in PD patients remains unclear. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effect of hybrid therapy on cardiovascular events. Methods: A total of 93 PD patients undergoing hybrid therapy for ≥3 years were divided into 2 groups according to left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): lower ejection fraction (LEF [n = 29], LVEF < 60%) and normal ejection fraction (NEF [n = 64], LVEF ≥60%). Hospitalization rates and echocardiographic parameters were evaluated. Results: The 1-year hospitalization rate for acute cardiovascular events decreased after the therapy initiation in both groups (LEF: 0.36–0.11, p = 0.02 and NEF: 0.43–0.06, p < 0.001). In generalized linear mixed models, LVEF (44 ± 15%) improved at 1, 2, and 3 years after initiation (53 ± 18, 55 ± 17, and 58 ± 7%; p < 0.05) in the LEF group, whereas, in the NEF group, LVEF (68 ± 5%) was maintained at 1, 2, and 3 years after initiation (67 ± 8, 67 ± 9, and 68 ± 9%; p > 0.05). Mitral inflow E velocity to tissue Doppler e′ ratio was maintained at the same level at 1–3 years after initiation in both groups. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI; 189 ± 41 g/m2) was decreased at 1 (178 ± 35 g/m2; p = 0.8), 2 (160 ± 45 g/m2; p = 0.008), and 3 (166 ± 47 g/m2; p = 0.05) years after initiation in the LEF group, whereas in the NEF group, LVMI (157 ± 45 g/m2) was maintained at 1, 2, and 3 years after initiation (153 ± 40, 155 ± 54, and 158 ± 52 g/m2; p > 0.05). Conclusion: Hybrid therapy decreased acute cardiovascular events and improved systolic cardiac function in PD patients in the LEF group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The intermittency of conventional hemodialysis (HD) leads to an increase in cardiovascular events. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effect of in-center frequent HD (FHD, 4–6 times a week) as a rescue option for cardiovascular events. Method: Patients who failed to achieve fluid volume control with conventional HD (thrice a week) were administered FHD. A total of 52 patients were divided into 2 groups by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): low ejection fraction (LEF [n = 26], LVEF < 55%) and normal ejection fraction (NEF [n = 26], LVEF ≥55%). Mortality and hospitalization rates were evaluated. Results: All-cause mortality tended to be higher in the LEF than in the NEF group (p = 0.09). The 1-year hospitalization rate for acute cardiovascular events decreased in both LEF (1.24–0.89; p = 0.049) and NEF (0.36–0.16; p = 0.01) groups. In Cox regression models, LVEF < 55% (hazard ratio 3.81; 95% CI 1.15–12.66; p = 0.03) was identified as the risk factor for hospitalization for acute cardiovascular events. Conclusion: In-center FHD may decrease acute cardiovascular events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]