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Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the association between the serum sclerostin, the coronary artery calcification (CAC), and patient outcomes in maintenance dialysis patients. Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study of 65 maintenance dialysis patients in 2014, including 39 patients on peritoneal dialysis and 26 on hemodialysis, and followed up for 5 years. Parameters of mineral metabolism including bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, fibroblast growth factor 23, sclerostin, and other biochemical factors were determined at the baseline. Meanwhile, the CAC score was analyzed by cardiac computed tomography. Results: Serum sclerostin in hemodialysis patients was significantly higher than that in peritoneal dialysis patients (632.35 ± 369.18 vs. 228.85 ± 188.92, p < 0.001). The patients with CAC were older, receiving hemodialysis, lower Kt/V, and had longer dialysis vintage, as well as higher levels of serum 25-(OH)-vit D and sclerostin. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age and lower Kt/V were risk factors for CAC. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for prediction of CAC by sclerostin was 0.74 (95% confidence interval 0.605–0.878, p = 0.03), and the cutoff value of sclerostin is 217.55 pg/mL with the sensitivity 0.829 and specificity 0.619. After 5 years of follow-up, 51 patients survived. The patients in the survival group had significantly lower age, sclerostin levels, and low CAC scores than the nonsurvival group. Old age (≥60 years, p < 0.001) and high CAC score (≥50 Agatston unit, p = 0.031) were significant risk factors for the patient survival. Conclusions: Sclerostin is significantly elevated in dialysis patients with CAC. But sclerostin is not a risk factor for CAC. After 5 years of follow-up, patients in the survival group are younger and have lower sclerostin levels and CAC scores. But sclerostin levels are not independent risk factors for high mortality in dialysis patients.

Background: In chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, decreased heart rate variability (HRV) reflects impaired cardiac automatic nervous function and high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lower HRV in patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), a clinical manifestation of CKD-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD), could be reversed by parathyroidectomy (PTX). It has been proved that leptin interacts with the autonomic nervous function. However, the associations between leptin and HRV in CKD patients and their longitudinal changes in SHPT patients after PTX are still unknown. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 141 stage 5 CKD patients, and a prospective study in 36 severe SHPT patients with PTX. HRV was measured by Holter and serum leptin was measured by ELISA. Serum leptin levels were adjusted for body mass index (BMI) and transformed using natural logarithm (lnleptin/BMI). Results: With a gradient of lnleptin/BMI across quartiles from Q1 to Q4 in CKD patients, HRV indices showed no differences among quartiles. Patients in Q1 group had higher mean 24 h heart rates, and lower ln(very low frequency) (lnVLF) than other quartiles, although there were no statistically significant difference. In multivariate stepwise regression, serum leptin/BMI was an independent predictor for low frequency/high frequency. HRV indices and lnleptin/BMI levels were increased in severe SHPT patients after PTX. Compared to other quartiles, SHPT patients in Q1 group had larger improvement of lnVLF after PTX. Conclusion: Circulating leptin levels may be a novel treatment target to reduce CVD risk in advanced CKD-MBD patients.

The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) in treating patients with advanced heart failure restores cardiac output resulting in improved perfusion to multiple organ systems with important clinical benefits. Renal pathophysiology during LVAD support remains an evolving, poorly understood, and potentially dynamic problem. Changes in renal function after LVAD placement have been investigated in multiple studies with contradictory results. Renal dysfunction is common prior to LVAD placement, which complicates postoperative clinical outcomes. The purpose of this review is to assess the latest information regarding the effects of LVADs on renal function with regard to hemodynamics, physiology, pathology and clinical issues prior to and after placement of the devices. The review should then aid in identifying patients best suited to benefit from this technology and to refine the therapy to reduce associated risks.

Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy and identify the prognostic factors of continuous hemofiltration in patients with cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) and, finally, to optimally select patients who could benefit more from this therapy. Methods: A total of 59 patients with CRS type 1 or type 2 treated with continuous hemofiltration were enrolled. We collected their clinical data and divided them into 2 groups according to their survival or death during hospitalization to conduct a retrospective analysis on factors affecting mortality. Results: The following items were significantly different between the survival (n = 30) and death (n = 29) groups: serum creatinine, serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure before hemofiltration, and average dehydration volume during the hemofiltration process. Leukocytosis was a risk factor for death (OR 1.242, 95% CI 1.242-1.480), and elevated sCr was not a key negative factor in the prognosis of CRS (OR 0.994, 95% CI 0.989-1.000). Conclusions: Cardiac function before hemofiltration and the amount of dehydration during the hemofiltration process both affected the prognosis. Infection and fluid overload condition at the beginning of hemofiltration were independently associated with mortality during hospitalization.

Background/Aims: Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is a rescue therapy for patients with type 1 cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) with poor prognoses. However, the optimal timing for initiation and cessation of RRT remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal timing of initiation and cessation of RRT for patients with type 1 CRS. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, patients with refractory type 1 CRS receiving RRT were divided into 3 groups according to weaning from RRT and death within 90 days. Baseline characteristics, underlying heart disease, comorbidities, drug use before RRT, indicators of RRT initiation, and prognosis were compared between the 3 groups. Results: Fifty-two patients were enrolled, which included 27 males and 25 females with a mean age of 70.7 ± 16.1 years and a 90-day mortality rate of 65.4%. The mean urine output before RRT initiation was 800 mL/ 24 h in the RRT-independent group, 650 mL/24 h in the RRT-dependent group, and 345 mL/ 24 h in the death group (p = 0.021). Additionally, there were obvious differences in fluid balance between the 3 groups (167, 250, and 1,270 mL, respectively, p = 0.016). Patients could be successfully weaned from RRT when urine output was >880 mL and fluid balance volume was Conclusion: The mean fluid balance of survivors was remarkably less than that of the death group at RRT initiation. RRT termination can be considered when urine output is >880 mL/24 h and volume balance is

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are used to improve the systemic circulation and to decrease ventricular loading in patients with hemodynamic instability that is refractory to pharmacologic therapies. During an acute critical event, percutaneous devices are preferred because of their rapid deployment, since implantable devices require more extensive procedures. Implantable devices are used for patients with established end-stage heart failure as a bridge to heart transplantation, recovery or destination therapy. This report reviews mechanical principles and clinical studies regarding percutaneous VAD to address their potential renal effects. Since the focus of this study is set on devices that are dedicated to cardiac support only, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation systems are not included.

Background: Hypertension continues to be a major burden of public health concern despite the recent advances and proven benefit of pharmacological therapy. A certain subset of patients has hypertension resistant to maximal medical therapy and appropriate lifestyle measures. A novel catheter-based technique for renal denervation (RDN) as a new therapeutic avenue has great promise for the treatment of refractory hypertension. Summary: This review included the physiology of the renal sympathetic nervous system and the renal nerve anatomy. Furthermore, the RDN procedure, technology systems, and RDN clinical trials as well as findings besides antihypertensive effects were discussed. Findings on safety and efficacy seem to suggest that renal sympathetic denervation could be of therapeutic benefit in refractory hypertensive patients. Despite the fast pace of development in RDN therapies, only initial and very limited clinical data are available. Large gaps in knowledge concerning the long-term effects and consequences of RDN still exist, and solid, randomized data are warranted.