CKD Linked to Deaths and Hospitalizations among Heart Failure Patients.

Compared with eGFR between 60 and 89 mL/min/1.73 m2, lower eGFR was associated with a graded increased risk of death and hospitalization among more than 24,000 patients with heart failure who were followed for an average of 22.1 months. The Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes study found that among patients with heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, the risk of death was nearly double for eGFR between 15 and 29 mL/min/1.73 m2 and seven times higher for eGFR less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m2, with similar findings in those with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction.

Medications Relieve CKD-Related Itching.

In 71 stage 4 or 5 CKD patients who complained of itching for an average of 6 months, gabapentin or pregabalin relieved itching in 60 patients (85%). Patients' median itch severity score was 8 (out of 10) before treatment and 1 after treatment. Patients took 100 mg of gabapentin once daily or after each dialysis session. Patients who were unable to tolerate gabapentin took 25 mg of pregabalin once daily or after each dialysis session. The findings, reported by Renal & Urology News, were presented at the 50th Congress of the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association.

High Salt Intake Linked to Post-Transplant Hypertension.

Among 397 recipients of deceased-donor kidneys who were followed for an average of 7 years, those in the highest tertile of sodium intake had a higher percentage of patients with hypertension (89.5% vs. 81.1%) and were on a greater number of antihypertensive drugs (1.60 vs. 1.32) than individuals in the lowest tertile. A systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or higher was associated with a nearly twofold increased likelihood of death-censored graft loss. The findings were presented at the 2013 American Transplant Congress and highlightedby Renal & Urology News.

Commonly Used Catheters Increase Risk of Dangerous Blood Clots.

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) have become the preferred device for administering long-term intravenous fluids, antibiotics, and other drugs because they have lower risks of infection, can be conveniently placed at the bedside, and can stay in place for long periods of time; however, a new Lancet meta-analysis of 64 studies found that compared with other central venous catheters, PICCs more than double the risk of deep vein thrombosis, which are dangerous blood clots. The risk is especially high among patients who are critically ill or who have cancer. PICCs were not linked with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism.

Study shows handbags contain more germs than average toilet flush.

CBS News (5/20) reports that according to a study by the company Initial Washroom Hygiene, women may want to wash their hands after putting them in their purse. Researchers “swabbed handbags to find the dirtiest parts,” and “twenty percent of handbags swabbed had levels of bacteria-related contamination which could potentially cross-contaminate other surfaces – and contained more germs than the average toilet flush.” Dr. Sorana Segal-Maurer, an infectious disease specialist with New York Hospital-Queens, said “that it’s highly unlikely someone would get sick from their handbag,” but “people should still take precautions to stop the spread of germs.”

Drug May Treat Resistant Hypertension in ESRD.

Treatment with spironolactone – a potassium-sparing diuretic – in 11 ESRD patients with refractory hypertension led to an average 15/9 mm Hg decrease in 24-hour blood pressure levels at four weeks and a 9/3 mm Hg decrease at 16 weeks. Increases in serum potassium were not statistically significant. Mean serum aldosterone levels rose from 123 to 169 pg/mL, but no changes were observed in C-reactive protein, left ventricular mass, and flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery. The findings were presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Hypertension and was highlighted by Renal & Urology News.

Higher Blood Pressure May Indicate Increased Cardiovascular Risks in Kidney Donors.

Compared with living kidney donors with a systolic blood pressure below 115 mm Hg, those in the 115-139 range had higher total cholesterol levels (201.8 vs. 192.6 mg/dL), higher LDL levels (122.4 vs. 113.1 mg/dL), lower HDL levels (54.2 vs. 57.1 mg/dL), higher triglyceride levels (123.1 vs. 106.3 mg/dL), and higher fasting blood glucose levels (89.6 vs. 85.9). The 606-participant study, which was presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Hypertension and was highlighted by Renal & Urology News, also showed that uric acid (even within the normal range) was associated with elevated systolic blood pressure.