Home Dialysis Central update
[Vol.5, No.2, February 27, 2008]
If you live in snow territory (as we do), it's great to be able to dialyze in your own home and avoid the icy roads. Remember to share the gift of options with our home dialysis DVD—order your copy today! And, send for your FREE postcard handouts.
High ultrafiltration (UF) rates stress the heart
Standard in-center HD requires high UF rates to remove fluid. A 5-year prospective study of 287 dialyzors from 2007 found this is a BAD idea. During the study, 149 patients died—69% due to heart problems. Survival was better with UF less than 12.37 ml/h/kg—which is much more doable at home. Read the abstract.
Fewer heart problems with nocturnal HD
A new 2-year study from Canada looked at 42 folks on standard HD and 32 on nocturnal HD. Hospital stays for heart problems dropped in those using nocturnal, but stayed the same for the standard dialyzors. Lower phosphorus and better anemia control were also found in those using nocturnal. Read the abstract.
Predicting blood vessel calcification in PD
In a study of 231 PD patients, those whose C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 levels were higher had a higher risk of blood vessel calcification and heart problems than those with lower levels. Read the abstract.
How long should PD catheters be embedded before use?
A study of 5,624 patient months found that PD catheters embedded under the skin are most likely to work if used from 48-133 days after placement—and least likely to have peritonitis if used even later: after 134 days. Using PD catheters before 47 days was linked to higher failures and more peritonitis. Read the abstract.
Lori found her way to PD
Forty-one year old Lori was diagnosed with kidney disease in 1988—cause unknown. Since that time, Lori has been on in-center hemodialysis, received two transplants (one lasting 15 years), and currently has been on CCPD for 9 months. Read her story.
Topic of the month: leaving on a jet plane: flying with a PD cycler or NxStage System One
When you choose home dialysis, you can travel without having treatments at a center you don't know. Instead, you can do your own treatments. And, you don't have to plan your work trip or vacation days around when a center has slots for you-you can choose your own schedule, too. Read more.
Innovative papers: short daily HD and nutrition status in CKD
Malnutrition is a common—and deadly—problem in people on dialysis, due to loss of appetite, inflammation, and a higher need for protein. Among 17 dialyzors who switched from standard to daily HD, there were significant improvements in protein intake, serum albumin, and real weight gain after a year. Read more.
How much can a dialysis clinic charge Medicare as a primary payer for support services provided to a home hemodialysis patient?
Click here to learn the answers to this & other questions about Medicare payment for PD and home hemo.
Read all about it!
Review home dialysis-related news, courtesy of Nephrology News & Issues. This week's stories include:
- Study: Kidney donor age linked to aortic stiffening
- Medicare Part D: Is the hype worth the frustration?
- CMS reports to Congress on bundled Medicare payment for ESRD
- Study: Different treatments for acute kidney failure may have similar outcomes
Featured link: Fistula First
How can you plan ahead for an AV Fistula? What can you expect from surgery and recovery? How do you care for a fistula so it lasts as long as possible? Fistula First has all the info. Check it out!
Find the site or this eNewsletter helpful? FORWARD THIS E-MAIL and encourage others to join Home Dialysis Central.