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Plasma exchange (PE) and immunoadsorption (IA) are standard therapeutic options of immune-mediated neurological disorders. This study evaluates the relation of the relative quantity of applied dose of PE and/ or IA and its achieved therapeutic effectiveness within the treated underlying neurological disorders. In a retrospective study, we evaluated data from PE and IA carried out 09/2009-06/2014 in neurological patients at the University-Hospital of Saarland, Germany. Apheresis dose was defined as the ratio of the extracorporeal treated plasma volume to the patient’s plasma volume. Effectiveness was assessed through disease-specific tests and scores by the attending neurologist(s); results were classified into response or no response. 1101 apheresis (PE:238, IA:863), in 153 hospital-stays were carried out, averaged, 7.0 treatments per patients, 82% responded, 18% not. Mean applied apheresis dose per treatment was 0.91 with mean doses of 1.16 for PE and 0.81 for IA. The totally applied mean dose per stay was 5.6 (PE:5.01, IA:5.81). No correlation was seen between apheresis dosing and treatment effectiveness (PE:R2 = 0.074, IA:R2 = 0.0023). PE and IA in therapy-refractory immune-mediated neurological disorders majorly achieved a measurable severity improvement – without correlation to the applied dose. Moreover, our data rather suggest, that effectiveness may be given with volumes below currently recommended volumes.

The aim of this study was to develop clinical preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative scores for early identification of patients who are at risk of nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI).A retrospective analysis.Single center.From January 2008 to December 2014, all patients from the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery were included on the basis of the hospital database.All mesenteric angiographically identified NOMI patients were compared with non-NOMI patients.The study population of 8,748 patients was randomized into a cohort for developing the scores (non-NOMI 4,214 and NOMI 235) and a cohort for control (non-NOMI 4,082 and NOMI 217). Risk factors were identified using forward and backward Wald test and were included in the predictive scores for the occurrence of NOMI. C statistic showed that the scores had a high discrimination for the prediction of NOMI preoperatively (C statistic 0.79; p0.001), intraoperatively (C statistic 0.68; p0.001), and postoperatively (C statistic 0.85; p0.001). A combination of the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative risk scores demonstrated the highest discrimination (C statistic 0.87; p0.001). The combined score included the following risk factors: renal insufficiency (preoperative); use of cardiopulmonary bypass and intra-aortic balloon pump support (intraoperative); and reexploration for bleeding, renal replacement therapy, and packed red blood cells ≥ 4 units (postoperative). The results were similar in the control group.These scores could be useful to identify patients at risk for NOMI and promote a rapid diagnosis and therapy.

Background As of 2009, anticoagulation with citrate was standard practice in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for critically ill patients at the University Medical Centre of Saarland, Germany. Partial hepatic metabolism of citrate means accumulation may occur during CRRT in critically ill patients with impaired liver function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the actual influence of hepatic function on citrate-associated complications during long-term CRRT. Methods In a retrospective study conducted between January 2009 and November 2012, all cases of dialysis therapy performed in the interdisciplinary surgical intensive care unit were analysed. Inclusion criteria were CRRT and regional anticoagulation with citrate, pronounced liver dysfunction, and pathologically reduced indocyanine green plasma disappearance rate (ICG-PDR). Results A total of 1339 CRRTs were performed in 69 critically ill patients with liver failure. At admission, the mean Model for End-stage Liver Disease score was 19.2, and the mean ICG-PDR was 9.8%. Eight patients were treated with liver replacement therapy, and 30 underwent transplants. The mortality rate was 40%. The mean duration of dialysis was 19.4 days, and the circuit patency was 62.2 h. Accumulation of citrate was detected indirectly by total serum calcium/ionised serum calcium (tCa/iCa) ratio > 2.4. This was noted in 16 patients (23.2%). Dialysis had not to be discontinued for metabolic disorder or accumulation of citrate in any case. In 26% of cases, metabolic alkalosis occurred with pH > 7.5. Interestingly, no correlation between citrate accumulation and liver function parameters was detected. Moreover, most standard laboratory liver function parameters showed poor predictive capabilities for accumulation of citrate. Conclusions Our findings indicate that extra-hepatic metabolism of citrate seems to exist, avoiding in most cases citrate accumulation in critically ill patients despite impaired liver function. Because the citric acid cycle is oxygen-dependent, disturbed microcirculation would result in inadequate citrate metabolism. Raising the tCa/iCa ratio would therefore be an indicator of severity of illness and mortality rather than of liver failure. However, further studies are warranted for confirmation.

Objectives After elective cardiac surgery a postoperative anticoagulation is obligatory. With critically ill patients the conventional anticoagulation standard heparin is sometimes impossible, e.g. based on HIT II. Then, argatroban is currently a possible alternative, however, due to its impaired metabolism in critically ill patients, anticoagulation effect is harder to anticipate, thus resulting in higher bleeding risk. Furthermore, to date no antidote is available. Hence, severe postoperative bleeding incidents under anticoagulation are commonly mono-causal attributed to the anticoagulation itself. This study concentrates on the number of well-defined postoperative bleeding incidents before any anticoagulation started, then actually under argatroban as well as compared to those under heparin (or switched from heparin to argatroban). Material and methods Retrospective study including 215 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with a postoperative stay in ICU ≥48 h. Postoperative bleeding complications before and after start of anticoagulation were evaluated. Definition of bleeding complications were: decrease of hemoglobin by more than 2 g/dl without dilution (mean value of volume balance plus one standard deviation) and/or increased need of red blood cell transfusion/day (average transfusion rate + 2 standard deviations). Results Within the study group of 215 patients, 143 were treated with heparin, 43 with argatroban, 29 switched from heparin to argatroban. Overall, 26.5% (57/215) postoperative bleeding complications occurred. In 54.4% (31/57) bleeding complications occurred before start of anticoagulation; in 43.6% (26/57) after. Of these, 14 bleeding incidents occurred under heparin 9.8% (14/143), 6 under argatroban 14% (6/43) and 6 switched 20.7% (6/29). Higher bleeding complications before start of anticoagulation was related to concomitant factors influencing the overall bleeding risk; e.g. score of severity of illness. These observations further correlate with postoperative, but not anticoagulation induced mortality rate of 2.8% of then given heparin, 20.9% then argatroban, 20.7% then switched. Conclusions Postoperative bleeding complications cannot simply be attributed to anticoagulation since occurring often before anticoagulation was started. The risk for bleeding complications after start of anticoagulation was quite comparable for argatroban and heparin. Accordingly, the influence of argatroban on bleeding complications in the postoperative period may be less significant than previously thought.

Vasopressin is used as an adjunct to norepinephrine to support blood pressure in vasodilatory shock after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In this study, we report our observation of vasopressin treatment in 11 patients with nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI).In an observational cohort study, 78 patients were studied after having been treated for NOMI with intraarterial iloprost infusion after elective cardiac operation. All patients received norepinephrine as vasopressor for marked vasodilation. In 11 patients mean arterial pressure could not be maintained with norepinephrine alone (≤0.4 μg · kg(-1) · min(-1)), and vasopressin was given in addition to norepinephrine as a rescue therapy. The 11 patients (Vaso) and the remaining 67 patients (Nor) were analyzed for clinical improvement after initiation of NOMI treatment, on the following days 1 and 2, and for hospital survival. Intestinal perfusion was controlled by mesenteric angiography.Before initiation of NOMI treatment Vaso patients had significantly higher doses of norepinephrine than the Nor patients (Vaso, 0.65 ± 0.20 μg · kg(-1) · min(-1); Nor, 0.20 ± 0.13 μg · kg(-1) · min(-1); p0.001), and their diagnostic score of the angiography was higher (Vaso, 5.4 ± 1.1 points; Nor, 3.5 ± 2.1 points; p = 0.004). After 2 days of NOMI treatment, Vaso patients had improved intestinal perfusion in the control angiography (Vaso, 3.8 ± 1.5 points) and significantly lower doses of norepinephrine than the Nor patients (Vaso, 0.28 ± 0.12 μg · kg(-1) · min(-1); Nor, 0.53 ± 0.34 μg · kg(-1) · min(-1); p = 0.002). All patients survived in the Vaso group; in the Nor group, 17 of 67 patients died in the hospital.Vasopressin administration during NOMI treatment after CPB seems to improve small intestine perfusion and appears be to associated with improved hospital survival.

Background Presepsin (soluble cluster-of-differentiation 14 subtype [sCD14-ST]) is a humoral risk stratification marker for systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis. It remains unknown whether presepsin can be used to stratify risk in elective cardiac surgery. The authors therefore determined the usefulness of presepsin for risk stratification in patients having elective cardiac surgery. Methods Eight hundred fifty-six cardiac surgical patients were prospectively studied. Preoperative plasma concentrations of presepsin, procalcitonin, N-terminal pro–hormone natriuretic peptide, cystatin C, and the additive European System of Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation 2 were compared to mortality at 30 days (primary outcome), 6 months, and 2 yr. Discrimination was assessed with C statistic. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate univariable and multivariable odds ratios. Results Thirty-day mortality was 3.2%, 6-month mortality was 6.1%, and 2-yr mortality was 10.4% across the population. Median preoperative presepsin concentrations were significantly greater in 30-day nonsurvivors than in survivors: 842 pg/ml (interquartile range, 306 to 1,246) versus 160 pg/ml (interquartile range, 122 to 234); difference, 167 pg/ml (interquartile range, 92 to 301; P < 0.001). The results were similar for 6-month and 2-yr mortality. Compared to the European System of Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation 2, presepsin concentration provided better discrimination for postoperative mortality at all follow-up periods, including 30 days (C statistic 0.88 vs. 0.74), 6 months (0.87 vs. 0.76), and 2 yr (0.81 vs. 0.74). Presepsin also provided better discrimination than cystatin C, N-terminal pro–hormone natriuretic peptide, or procalcitonin. Elevated presepsin remained an independent risk predictor after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Conclusions Elevated preoperative plasma presepsin concentration is an independent predictor of postoperative mortality in elective cardiac surgery patients and is a stronger predictor than several other commonly used assessments.

Purpose To evaluate the value of preoperatively assessed fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) levels and to correlate FGF-23 with angiographic findings in non-occlusive mesenteric (NOMI) ischemia using a standardized scoring system. Materials and methods Between 2/2011 and 3/2012 a total of 865 patients (median age: 67 years) underwent cardiovascular surgery during this ethics committee approved, prospective study. 65 of these patients had clinical suspicion of NOMI and consequently underwent catheter angiography of the superior mesenteric artery. Images were assessed using a standardized reporting system (Homburg-NOMI-Score). These data were correlated to following preoperative parameters of kidney function: cystatin C, creatinine, FGF-23 and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and outcome data (death, acute renal failure) using linear and logistic regressions, as well as nonparametric tests. Results Significant correlations were found between FGF-23 and the angiographic appearance of NOMI (p = 0.03). Linear regression analysis showed no significant correlation to the severity of NOMI with creatinine (p = 0.273), cystatin C (p = 0.484), cystatin C eGFR (p = 0.914) and creatinine eGFR (p = 0.380). Logistic regression revealed a significant correlation between death and the Homburg-NOMI-Score (p

Mycobacterium fortuitum peritonitis is a rare complication in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). A 47-year-old patient was admitted to our tertiary hospital because of culture-negative peritonitis with persisting signs of infection despite adequate empirical antibiotic treatment. Although M. fortuitum was detected and the antibiotic regime subsequently amended, catheter removal was inevitable and the dialysis modality converted to hemodialysis (HD). After long-term antibiotic treatment and an additional latency of 4 months without signs of residual infection, reinitiation of CAPD was planned. Explorative laparoscopy prior to catheter reinsertion revealed multiple adhesions within the peritoneal cavity, preventing adequate catheter function. The clinical course of M. fortuitum peritonitis, the need for catheter removal and the description of peritoneal changes are discussed regarding to recent literature.

ObjectivesAcute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) is a common complication after cardiac surgery, complicated by suspected or proven heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (type II). The present study evaluated the use of argatroban as an anticoagulant during continuous RRT in the early period after cardiac surgery. Argatroban was compared with unfractionated heparin (UH) with respect to bleeding complications and the effectiveness of anticoagulation.MethodsPatients requiring RRT after cardiac surgery from March 2007 to June 2009 were identified. The effectiveness of anticoagulation was measured indirectly by the duration of dialysis filter use. Bleeding was defined as clinical signs of blood loss or the need for transfusion.ResultsOf 94 patients, 41 received argatroban, 27 UH, and 26 required conversion from UH to argatroban. In all 3 subgroups, RRT was begun within a median postoperative period of 2.0 days. Similar levels of anticoagulation were achieved with the duration of the circuit and filter changed an average of 1.1 times daily during RRT. Liver function was comparable in all patients. Neither clinically relevant signs of bleeding nor significant differences in the hemoglobin levels or a requirement for transfusion were noted. However, the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II values during dialysis and mortality were significantly greater in the patients initially receiving argatroban compared with those who received UH alone (54 ± 2 vs 43 ± 3, P

Summary Background and objectives Plasma phosphate levels display considerable intraindividual variability. The phosphatonin fibroblast growth factor 23 is a central regulator of plasma phosphate levels, and it has been postulated to be a more stable marker than conventional CKD–mineral and bone disorder parameters. Thus, fibroblast growth factor 23 has been hypothesized to reflect time-averaged plasma phosphate levels in CKD patients. Design, setting, participants, & measurements Among 40 patients from the outpatient dialysis center, serial measurements of plasma calcium and phosphate (before every dialysis session) as well as C-terminal fibroblast growth factor 23, parathyroid hormone, and alkaline phosphatase (one time weekly) were performed over a study period of 4 weeks in November and December of 2011. Intraindividual variability of repeated plasma fibroblast growth factor 23 measurements compared with other CKD–mineral and bone disorder markers was tested, and the association of a single plasma fibroblast growth factor 23 measurement with time-averaged plasma phosphate levels was analyzed. Results Against expectations, intraindividual variability of fibroblast growth factor 23 (median coefficient of variation=27%; interquartile range=20–35) was not lower than variability of plasma phosphate (median coefficient of variation=15%; interquartile range=10–20), parathyroid hormone (median coefficient of variation=24%; interquartile range=15–39), plasma calcium (median coefficient of variation=3%; interquartile range=2–4), or alkaline phosphatase (median coefficient of variation=5%; interquartile range=3–10). Moreover, the correlation between the last fibroblast growth factor 23 measurement after 4 weeks and time-averaged plasma phosphate did not surpass the correlation between the last fibroblast growth factor 23 measurement and a single plasma phosphate value (r=0.67, P Conclusions Surprisingly, fibroblast growth factor 23 was not more closely associated to time-averaged plasma phosphate levels than a single plasma phosphate value, and it did not show a lower intraindividual variability than other tested markers of CKD–mineral and bone disorder. Thus, fibroblast growth factor 23 should not be used in clinical practice as a reflector of time-averaged plasma phosphate levels.

Objective Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) may occur after cardiopulmonary bypass. It is crucial to early identify patients who are at risk of developing this complication. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate perioperative risk factors in a large cohort of patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Methods From January 1, 2010, to March 31, 2011, all patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery were screened for participation in this trial. If NOMI was suspected, arterial angiography was performed. NOMI and non-NOMI patients were compared with respect to all variables assessed in this study. Additionally, odds ratios were calculated. Linear discriminant analyses as well as logistic regression analyses were performed to develop a model that identifies patients at risk for developing NOMI. Results Eight hundred sixty-five patients were included in the study, of whom 78 developed NOMI. Among preoperative parameters, renal insufficiency, diuretic therapy, and age >70 years showed the highest odds ratios for postoperative NOMI. The highest odds ratios for development of NOMI were observed with postoperative variables. In particular, the need for intra-aortic balloon pump support and serum lactate concentrations >5 mmol/L proved to be serious risk factors. Using a linear discriminant analysis with 7 variables, 92.3% of patients were correctly classified (sensitivity 76.9%, specificity 93.8%). Conclusions A high index of suspicion for NOMI in patients with the above-mentioned risk factors may decrease the diagnostic and therapeutic delay. To identify at-risk patients the developed risk equation is a useful tool with a high specificity.

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a prominent problem in hospitalized patients and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Clinical medicine is currently hampered by the lack of accurate and early biomarkers for diagnosis of AKI and the evaluation of the severity of the disease. In 2010, we established a multivariate peptide marker pattern consisting of 20 naturally occurring urinary peptides to screen patients for early signs of renal failure. The current study now aims to evaluate if, in a different study population and potentially various AKI causes, AKI can be detected early and accurately by proteome analysis. Methods Urine samples from 60 patients who developed AKI after cardiac surgery were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry (CE-MS). The obtained peptide profiles were screened by the AKI peptide marker panel for early signs of AKI. Accuracy of the proteomic model in this patient collective was compared to that based on urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) ELISA levels. Sixty patients who did not develop AKI served as negative controls. Results From the 120 patients, 110 were successfully analyzed by CE-MS (59 with AKI, 51 controls). Application of the AKI panel demonstrated an AUC in receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis of 0.81 (95 % confidence interval: 0.72–0.88). Compared to the proteomic model, ROC analysis revealed poorer classification accuracy of NGAL and KIM-1 with the respective AUC values being outside the statistical significant range (0.63 for NGAL and 0.57 for KIM-1). Conclusions This study gives further proof for the general applicability of our proteomic multimarker model for early and accurate prediction of AKI irrespective of its underlying disease cause. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13054-016-1344-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Introduction Several scoring systems have been developed to predict postoperative mortality and complications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, these computer-based calculations are time- and cost-intensive. A simple but highly predictive test for postoperative risk would be of clinical benefit with respect to increasingly scarce hospital resources. We therefore assessed the predictive power of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) measurement compared with an established scoring system. Methods We conducted a prospective interdisciplinary observational study at the Saarland University Medical Centre that included 859 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery between January 2010 and March 2011 with a median follow-up after discharge of 822 days. We compared a single preoperative measurement of FGF23 as a prognostic tool with the 18 parameters comprising EuroSCORE II with respect to postoperative mortality, acute kidney injury, non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia, clinical course and long-term outcome. Results Preoperative FGF23 levels were highly predictive of postoperative outcome and complications. The predictive value of FGF23 for mortality in the receiver operating characteristic curve was greater than the EuroSCORE II (area under the curve: 0.800 versus 0.725). Moreover, preoperative FGF23 independently predicted postoperative acute kidney injury and non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia comparably to the EuroSCORE II. Finally, FGF23 was found to be an independent predictor of clinical course parameters, including duration of surgery, ventilation time and length of stay. Conclusions In patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery, a simple preoperative FGF23 measurement is a powerful indicator of surgical mortality, postoperative complications and long-term outcome. Its utility compares to the widely used EuroSCORE II.

Background Demineralisation and bone density loss during immobilisation are known phenomena. However information concerning the extent of calcium loss during immobilisation remains inconsistent within literature. This may explain why treatment of bone loss and prevention of further demineralisation is often initiated only when spontaneous bone fracture occurred. Continuous renal replacement therapy is commonly utilised in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury requiring RRT. Regional anticoagulation with citrate for CRRT is well-established within the intensive care setting. Due to calcium free dialysate, calcium is eliminated directly as well as indirectly via citrate binding necessitating calcium substitution. In anuric patients declining calcium requirements over time reflect bone calcium liberation secondary to immobilisation. The difference between the expected and actual need for calcium infusion corresponds to calcium release from bone which is particularly impressive in patients exposed to long-term immobilisation and CRRT. We report a dialysis period in excess of 250 days with continuous renal replacement therapy and anticoagulation with citrate. Case presentation We present a 30-year old male with prolonged multisystem organ failure after bilateral lung transplantation, in whom during a period of 254 days the cumulative difference between expected and actual need for calcium infusion was 14.25 mol, representing an estimated calcium loss of about 571 g. Comparison of computed tomographic imaging of the lower thoracic vertebrae over this period depicts a radiographically discernible decrease in bone density from 238 to 52 Hounsfield Units. The first spontaneous fracture occurred after 6 months of immobilisation. Despite subsequent treatment with bisphosphonates and androgen therapy resulting in an increase in bone density to 90 HU a further fracture occurred. Conclusion In immobilised patients receiving CRRT and anticoagulation with citrate, decreasing need for calcium substitution reflects the degree of bone demineralisation corresponding with radiographic assessment of declining bone mineral density. Such a declining need for calcium substitution could be useful in clinical practice highlighting relevant bone loss which results in spontaneous fractures in immobilised critically ill patients.

Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia may occur after cardiac surgery, commonly in conjunction with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. Some evidence suggests that endothelin-1 serum levels are increased in patients with mesenteric ischemia, but the association of endothelin-1 and nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia has not been studied. The objective was to investigate whether elevated levels of endothelin-1 could be found in patients exhibiting nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia.In an observational cohort study, nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia developed in 78 of 865 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Control patients were identified from the cohort through 1:1 propensity score matching. Preoperative and postoperative endothelin-1 serum levels were determined by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Odds ratios (with 95% confidence interval) were calculated by logistic regression analyses to determine the risk of endothelin-1 for the development of nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia.Patients with nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia had higher preoperative (11.3 vs 9.3 pg/mL; P = .001) and postoperative (15.7 vs 11.1 pg/mL, P.001) levels of endothelin-1 than the controls. The probability of developing nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia increased with each picogram/milliliter endothelin-1 level preoperatively (odds ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-1.49) and each picogram/milliliter postoperatively (odds ratio, 2.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.54-2.72). Receiver operating characteristic analyses showed that elevated endothelin-1 serum levels had a high accuracy to predict nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (optimal cutoff value of 14.5 pg/mL, area under the curve of 0.77, sensitivity 51%, and specificity 94%).Endothelin-1 seems to predispose patients undergoing cardiac surgery to develop nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia. In addition, it may be a useful marker to identify patients at risk for nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia after cardiac surgery.

This study was designed to evaluate the clinical value of a standardized angiographic scoring system in patients with nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI).Sixty-three consecutive patients (mean age: 73 ± 8 years) with suspect of NOMI after cardiac or major thoracic vessel surgery underwent catheter angiography of the superior mesenteric artery. Images were assessed by two experienced radiologists on consensus basis using a scoring system consisting of five categories, namely vessel morphology, reflux of contrast medium into the aorta, contrasting and distension of the intestine, as well as the time to portal vein filling. These were correlated to previously published risk factors of NOMI and outcome data.The most significant correlation was found between the vessel morphology and death (p0.001) as well as reflux of contrast medium into the aorta and death (p = 0.005). Significant correlation was found between delayed portal vein filling and preoperative statin administration (p = 0.011), previous stroke (p = 0.033), and renal insufficiency (p = 0.043). Reflux of contrast medium correlated significantly with serum lactate10 mmol/L (p = 0.046). The overall angiographic score correlated with death (p = 0.017) and renal insufficiency (p = 0.02). The ROC-analysis revealed that a score of ≥3.5 allows for identifying patients with increased perioperative mortality with a sensitivity of 85.7 % and a specificity of 49 %. With the use of a simplified score (vessel morphology, reflux of contrast medium into the aorta, and time to portal vein filling), specificity was increased to 71.4 %.The applied scoring system allows standardized interpretation of angiographic findings in NOMI patients. Beyond that the score seems to correlate well with risk factors of NOMI and outcome.

Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) normally takes place overnight. Maintaining a stable PD catheter position, independent of body position, omental wrapping or catheter displacement secondary to bowel movements is essential in maintaining effective catheter function. We developed a new procedure of catheter placement through combining and adapting several previously described operative techniques including laparoscopic placement of a curled double cuff Tenckhoff catheter with subcutaneous tunneling superior to the rectus sheet, an oblique course through the abdominal wall, deep entry into the pelvic peritoneum and directed placement of the curled tip within the pouch of Douglas. Retrospective analysis of catheter function was conducted, evaluating catheter position, function, complication rate and catheter survival against findings for current insertion techniques described within literature. Between March 2009 and November 2011, 54 patients underwent PD catheter insertion. The observation period was an average of 343 ± 273 days. All patients received abdominal plain film showing optimal catheter position in 89 %. Reported catheter function was very good in 85.2 %, with no or few alarms per week during APD, moderate in 9.3 % with occasional minor dysfunctions (≤2 alarms per night), and poor in 5.6 %, with regular alarm disturbance. In one case, primary dysfunction led to catheter replacement. At completion, stable catheter function with occasional minor dysfunction was achieved in 52 of 54 cases. Catheter-related complications (leakage, hydrocele formation, infection and need for replacement) were observed in 14.8 %. At the end of the observation period, 55.6 % of catheters remained in use. Patient dropout occurred through death (18.5 %), renal transplantation (7.4 %), renal recovery (1.9 %), removal secondary to infection or dysfunction (9.3 %) and conversion to HD due to poor dialysis quality (7.4 %). The above technique combines and optimises previously described laparoscopic catheter implantation techniques, allowing increased catheter stability resulting in an undisturbed catheter function suitable for APD.

The neutralizing and protective monoclonal antibody BH47 defines the sequential epitope H236–255 of the measles virus hemagglutinin protein (MV-H). The objective of this study was to design peptides combining this B cell epitope (BCE) with different T cell epitopes (TCE) to obtain protective immunity. Most TTB peptides based on the 15mer BCE H236–250 induced MV-crossreactive antibodies, but only certain TCE induced virus neutralizing antibodies. The shortest BCE required for MV-reactivity and -neutralization was the 8mer H243–250 containing residue R243 implicated in CD46 down-regulation. Sera obtained after immunization with the TTB peptide containing the MV-derived TCE F421–435 protected mice against a lethal challenge with a neuro-adapted MV strain. Our results further demonstrate that this TTB peptide is fully immunogenic, even in the presence of protective levels of pre-existing MV-specific antibodies, suggesting that subunit vaccines based on such peptides could potentially be used to immunize infants in the presence of persisting maternal antibodies. It is therefore interesting that neutralizing antibodies were also obtained with a TTB peptide comprising a human promiscuous TCE (tt830). However, our results also emphasize the need to test sera induced with epitope-based vaccines against different virus strains, in particular if the epitope is not fully conserved.

Introduction Regional citrate anticoagulation is safe, feasible and increasingly used in critically ill patients on continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). However, in patients with hepatic or multi-organ dysfunction, citrate accumulation may lead to an imbalance of calcium homeostasis. The study aimed at evaluating the incidence and prognostic relevance of an increased total to ionized calcium ratio (T/I Ca2+ ratio) and its association to hepatic dysfunction. Methods We performed a prospective observational study on n = 208 critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and necessity for CRRT with regional citrate anticoagulation (CRRT-citrate) between September 2009 and September 2011. Critical illness was estimated by Simplified Acute Physiology Score II; hepatic function was measured with indocyanine green plasma disappearance rate. After achieving a steady state of calcium homeostasis patients were classified into tertiles according to the T/I Ca2+ ratio (