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Introduction: Intradialytic cycling is often performed during the first half of hemodialysis because of concerns regarding increased frequency of intradialytic hypotension (IDH) late in hemodialysis. This increases exercise program resource needs and limits utility of intradialytic cycling to treat dialysis-related symptoms., Methods: This multicenter, randomized, crossover trial compared IDH rate when cycling during the first half versus the second half of hemodialysis in 98 adults on maintenance hemodialysis. Group A cycled during the first half of hemodialysis for 2 weeks and subsequently during the second half for 2 weeks. In group B, the cycling schedule was reversed. Blood pressure (BP) was measured every 15 minutes throughout hemodialysis. Primary outcome was IDH rate (systolic BP [SBP] decrease of >20 mm Hg or SBP <90 mm Hg). Secondary outcomes included symptomatic IDH rate and time to recover post hemodialysis. Data were analyzed using negative binomial and gamma distribution mixed regression., Results: Mean age 64.7 (SD 12.0) and 64.7 (SD 14.2) years in group A ( n  = 52) and group B ( n  = 46), respectively. Proportions of females were 33% in group A and 43% in group B. Median time on hemodialysis was 4.1 (interquartile range [IQR] 2.5, 6.1]) years in group A and 3.9 years (IQR 2.5, 6.7) in group B. IDH rate per 100 hemodialysis hours (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 34.2 (26.4, 42.0) and 36.0 (28.9, 43.1) during early and late intradialytic cycling, respectively ( P  = 0.53). Timing of intradialytic cycling was not associated with symptomatic IDH (relative risk [RR]: 1.07 [0.75-1.53]) or time to recover post hemodialysis (odds ratio: 0.99 [0.79-1.23])., Conclusion: We found no association between the rate of overall or symptomatic IDH and the timing of intradialytic cycling in patients enrolled in an intradialytic cycling program. Increased use of cycling late in hemodialysis may optimize intradialytic cycling program resource use and should be studied as a possible treatment for symptoms common in late hemodialysis., (© 2023 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the International Society of Nephrology.)

Introduction: Hyperkalemia is a common, potentially life-threatening condition in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We studied the association between hyperkalemia and mortality, cardiovascular events, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions., Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using administrative databases in Manitoba, Canada. All adults (≥18 years of age) with potassium tests between January 2007 and December 2016 were included, with follow-up until March 31, 2017. Propensity score matching was performed among patients with de novo hyperkalemia (serum potassium ≥ 5.0 mmol/l) and patients who were nonhyperkalemic. The association between hyperkalemia and normokalemia and mortality was assessed using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models, adjusting for patient characteristics in a 1:1 propensity score-matched sample. Secondary outcomes included cardiovascular events, hospitalizations, and ICU admissions. A sensitivity analysis was performed with hyperkalemia defined as serum potassium ≥ 5.5 mmol/l., Results: Of 93,667 patients with de novo hyperkalemia, 36% had diabetes mellitus (DM), 28% had CKD, and 21% had heart failure (HF). In the propensity score-matched sample of 177,082 individuals, hyperkalemia was associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.15 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.13-1.18], P  < 0.001), cardiovascular events (HR 1.20 [95% CI 1.14-1.26], P  < 0.001), short-term mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.29 [95% CI 1.24-1.34], P  < 0.001), hospitalizations (OR 1.71 [95% CI 1.68-1.74]), and ICU admissions (OR 3.48 [95% CI 3.34-3.62], P  < 0.001). Findings were unchanged when a threshold of serum potassium ≥ 5.5 mmol/l was used., Conclusion: Hyperkalemia was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, hospitalizations, and ICU admissions. This finding expands our understanding of important clinical outcomes associated with hyperkalemia., (© 2021 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Patients with end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis and persons with epilepsy are at increased risk of death. However, there is little information related to the risk of death when the 2 conditions co-exist. In this issue, Waddy et al. determined that among patients with end-stage renal disease, those with a diagnose of epilepsy or seizures have a higher risk of all-cause mortality compared with those who do not have an epilepsy or seizure diagnosis. This association was further modified by neurology consultation, with a lower risk in persons who had received a consultation. Among antiseizure medications, only gabapentin was associated with a higher risk of death., (Copyright © 2019 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing public health issue worldwide. It is acknowledged that CKD is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. The role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in the pathophysiology of hypertension, and cardiovascular and kidney diseases is well known and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is a major regulator of blood pressure through its effect on body fluids and electrolyte homeostasis. For 2 decades, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors have been the mainstay of treatment for CKD. Clinical trials have shown that prescription of monotherapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers reduces albuminuria and slows the progression of nephropathy in patients with diabetes. In clinical practice guidelines, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors are recommended as the antihypertensive drug of choice in patients with CKD with or without diabetes. Moreover, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors have been shown to offer cardiovascular protection beyond those resulting after blood pressure control. However, the benefits of renin-angiotensin system inhibitor prescriptions for patients with advanced CKD remain controversial. Patients with advanced CKD or who undergo dialysis are under-represented in clinical trials, and studies in this population are urgently needed., (Copyright © 2019 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)