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Oliguric acute kidney injury due to traumatic rhabdomyolysis can be potentially lethal if the proper medical therapy combined with extracorporeal detoxification is not performed. Different extracorporeal techniques are available to overcome this syndrome. Here, we report the first case of removal of myoglobin and successful recovery from acute kidney injury in an elderly septic patient using supra-hemodiafiltration with endogenous reinfusion technique (HFR-Supra) combined with the medical therapy.

Background and Aims Hyperoxaluria is a rare metabolic disorder chacterized by widespread calcium oxalate deposition, if plasmatic oxalate level (pOx) overcomes saturation threshold. It could be primary (PH), a recessive disease associated with mutation of the liver enzyme LDH, or secondary (SH), in 75% due to intestinal malabsorption. Urolithiasis could be the first complication, and renal involvement could progress until end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Mean pOx is higher in chronic dialysis patients than healthy individuals because of impaired renal clearance. Oxalate molecular weight (MW) is 88 Da and its clearance is that of low MW uremic toxins. Our aim is to assess an association between arteriovenous fistula (AVF) failures and Hyperoxaluria. Method In the period between 1/1/2004 and 12/31/2020, diagnosis of Hyperoxaluria was carried out in 6 patients out of 1530 chronic dialysis patients (0.39%). The median age of patients was 65.5 [26-72] years, the male/female ratio was 3:3 and the median dialysis vintage was 36 [1-181] months. Three patients come to nephrological referral at stage 5 of CKD while 1 patient came to Italy when chronic HD was already started. At that time pOx was not considered. In these 4 patients the presumptive diagnosis of ESRD was urolithiasis and diagnosis of Hyperoxaluria was carried out after the beginning of chronic dialysis, when pOx and genetic analysis were performed. In 1 case biopsy on the kidney graft and in 1 case kidney biopsy after nephrectomy were performed: oxalate deposition was detected. For 2/6 patients diagnosis was carried out after biopsy of native kidneys before starting dialysis. All patients started medical therapy for hyperoxaluria. Five out of 6 patients were eligible to HD, 1/6 to PD. AVF was judged the first choice vascular access. Results PH was diagnosed in 3/6 patients: mutations were detected on chromosome 2. Malabsorption secondary to short bowel syndrome and chronic pancreatitis could be assumed as causes of SH in 3 patients. Patient 1 underwent 2 combined liver-kidney transplantation: the first failed by arterial grafts thrombosis and the second by renal primary non-function but the liver was still functioning, he died on HD after 12 years. Patient 2 underwent liver and kidney transplantation and she is nowadays dialysis-free. The median pOx pre-dialysis and before diagnosis was 165 [98-259] umol/L (Table 1). Patients on chronic HD underwent median of 3 [2-5] AVF interventions. Nine AVFs were distal and 4 were proximal. The most frequent complication was AVF thrombosis despite ASA treatment: half of the cases showed secondary AVF non-function, the other half of AVFs failed to mature. Six tunneled cuffed permanent catheters (TCCs) as definitive vascular access were successfully placed in the 5 patients on chronic HD. Warfarin therapy was started to avoid TCCs thrombosis. The median survival of TCCs was 9.5 [3-48] months. All the patients had a history of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Conclusion To our knowledge this is the first case series of multiple AVF failures in patients with hyperoxaluria. In our experience TCCs show longer survival then AVF in this group of patients, even if it could not be excluded the role of warfarin in favoring this result. Even though a link between hyperoxaluria and thrombosis is well established, the exact underlying mechanism is still uncleared. The role of PD as dialysis technique of “first choice” should be enhanced also when residual renal function is abolished. In ESRD patients with urolithiasis, diagnosis of Hyperoxaluria should be ruled out before AVF placement.

Background and Aims Several chronic medical conditions appear to increase the risk of severe COVID-19. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have a high risk of symptomatic infection and severe respiratory symptoms because of chronic inflammation, uremic toxins accumulation, endothelial dysfunction and an impaired immune response. Even though the presence of one or more comorbidities increases the risk of mortality, information of the outcome of COVID-19 in CKD patients is not yet available. The aim of the study is to present the incidence and outcome of COVID-19 in patients referring to our Nephrology Unit considering CKD patients, dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients. MO520 Table 1. Demographic, clinical and radiological features. Variables Total (n=52) Survivors (n=39) Nonsurvivors(n=13) Age, yr 67.2± 13.8 65± 14 72± 12 Woman 21 (39%) 17 (44.7%) 5 (13%) Comorbidity CV disease 41 (78.8%) 30 (79%) 11(84.6%) DM 22 (42%) 14 (36.8%) 8 (61.5%) Cancer 18 (31%) 12 (31.6%) 6(46.1%) BMI>30 7 (3%) 4(10.5%) 2(15.4%) Dialysis 31(59.5%) 24 (63.1) 6 (46%) Kidney transplantation 16 (30.7%) 11 (29%) 2 (15%) CKD IV-V stage 4 (7%) 2 (5.2%) 1 (7.7%) Onset of Symptoms fever 29 (79%) 22(58%) 7 (13%) cough 3(6%) 2 (5.2%) 1 (7.7%) dyspnea 8 (15.4%) 4 (10.5%) 4 (30.8%) Symptomless 8 (15.4%) 6 (15.8%) 2 (15.4%) Admission HRCT Bilateral peripheral ground-gass opacity 39(81.2%) 31 (79.5%) 8(88.8%) Unilateral opacity 6 (12.5%) 5(12.8%) 1 (11.1) No opacity 3 (6.2%) 3 (7.7%) 0 PaO2/FiO2 ratio 330 ± 102. 376 ±93 286 ±86 Method This study is prospective single centre carried out considering patients referring to the Nephrology Unit of St. Orsola University Hospital in Bologna with COVID 19 diagnosis from 15THMarch to 30THMay 2020. Results Our cohort included 52 patients admitted to our Nephrology Unit because of Sars Cov2 infection confirmed by positive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal swab. The mean age was 67.2 ± 13.8 years (range, 33-88 years). Demographic, clinical and radiological features in Table 1. Forty-eight patients (92.3%) underwent chest TC. The main findings were: several bilateral interstitial pneumonia (39 patients, 81.2%), monolateral peripheral ground-glass opacities (6 patients, 12.5%), no signs of pneumonia (3 patients, 6.2 %). Clinical course is highly variable: 18 patients (34.6 %) were asymptomatic, 23 patients (44 %) had a mild course requiring low flux oxygen therapy and 11 patients (21%) presented severe pneumonia and respiratory distress that requires ventilatory support in intensive care unit. Forty patients (70%) had hydroxychloroquine-azithromycin dual therapy, 3 patients (6%) had antiviral therapy in addiction. Sixteen patients (31%) with P/F

Uremic toxins play a pathological role in atherosclerosis and represent an important risk factor in dialysis patients. Online hemodiafiltration (HDF) has been introduced to improve the clearance of middle- and large-molecular-weight solutes (&gt, 500 Da) and has been associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality compared to standard hemodialysis. This non-randomized, open-label observational study will explore the efficacy of two dialyzers currently used for online HDF, a polysulfone-based high-flux membrane, and a cellulose triacetate membrane, in hemodialysis patients with signs of middle-molecule intoxication or intradialytic hypotension. In particular, the two filters will be evaluated for their ability in uremic toxin removal and modulation of inflammatory status. Sixteen subjects in standard chronic bicarbonate hemodialysis requiring a switch to online HDF in view of their clinical status will be enrolled and divided into two treatment arms, according to the previous history of hypersensitivity to polysulfone/polyethersulfone dialysis filters and hypersensitivity to drugs or other allergens. Group A will consist of 16 patients without a previous history of hypersensitivity and will be treated with a polysulfone filter (Helixone FX100), and group B, also consisting of 16 patients, with a previous history of hypersensitivity and will be treated with asymmetric triacetate (ATA, SOLACEA 21-H) dialyzer. Each patient will be followed for a period of 24 months, with monthly assessments of circulating middle-weight toxins and protein-bound toxins, markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, lymphocyte subsets, activated lymphocytes, and monocytes, cell apoptosis, the accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), variations in arterial stiffens measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), and mortality rate. The in vitro effect on endothelial cells of uremic serum collected from patients treated with the two different dialyzers will also be investigated to examine the changes in angiogenesis, cell migration, differentiation, apoptosis and proliferative potential, and gene and protein expression profile. The expected results will be a better awareness of the different effects of polysulfone gold-standard membrane for online HDF and the new ATA membrane on the removal of uremic toxins removal and inflammation due to blood–membrane interaction.

Background CPFA is an extracorporeal treatment used in severe sepsis to remove circulating proinflammatory cytokines. Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of bilirubin adsorption by the hydrophobic styrenic resin, the distinctive part of CPFA. The aim of this study is to validate CPFA effectiveness in liver detoxification. Methods In this prospective observational study, we enrolled patients with acute or acute-on-chronic liver failure (serum total bilirubin > 20 mg/dL or MELD Score > 20) hospitalized from June 2013 to November 2017. CPFA was performed using the Lynda (Bellco/MedTronic, Mirandola, Italy) or the Amplya (Bellco/MedTronic, Mirandola, Italy) machines. Anticoagulation was provided with unfractionated heparin or citrate. Bilirubin and bile acids reduction ratios per session (RRs) were the main parameters for hepatic detoxification. Results Twelve patients with acute (n = 3) or acute-on-chronic (n = 9) liver failure were enrolled. Alcohol was the main cause of liver disease. Thirty-one CPFA treatments of 6 h each were performed, 19 with heparin and 12 with citrate. RRs was 28.8% (range 2.2–40.5) for total bilirubin, 32.7% (range 8.3–48.9) for direct bilirubin, 29.5% (range 6.5–65.4) for indirect bilirubin and 28.9% (16.7- 59.7) for bile acids. One patient received liver transplantation and 8/9 were alive at 1 year of follow-up. Three patients (25%) died: 2 during hospitalization and 1 for a cardiac event at 4 months of follow up with restored liver function. Conclusions CPFA resulted to be effective in liver detoxification. Thus, it may be considered as a “bridge technique” both to the liver transplant and to the recovery of the basal liver function.

Background and Aims Survival of patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM), Light Chain Amyloidosis (LCA) and Monoclonal Gammopathies of renal significance (MGRS) on chronic renal replacement therapy (RRT) is poor. The gold standand treatment of plasma cell dyscrasias (PCD) is high-dose chemotherapy followed by Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) which can induce complete remission and longer survival than chemotherapy alone. Kidney transplantation (KT) after ASCT could represent an option for patients with PCD and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). There is no evidence about the time of follow up required from MM remission and KT. Method We present a case series of 5 patients who underwent KT after ASCT and remission of MM among 2,500 transplant recipients followed at the Nephrology Dialysis and Renal Transplantation Unit of S.Orsola University Hospital from 1967 untill now. As in case of recovery from solid cancers, the feasibility of KT after MM was considered when no signs of relapse were assessed. In our cohort 3 patients were affected by Light Chain Deposition Disease (LCDD), 1 patient presented Myeloma Cast Nephropathy (MCN) and one patient Light Chain Amyloidosis (LCA). They all required RRT and underwent KT after ASCT. Results Time between ASCT and KT ranged from 3 and 11 years and clinical outcome was very different. The mean follow up period ranged from 2 to 4 years. In the first case (LCDD) KT was performed 11 years after ASCT, the graft failure occurred 6 years later because of chronic allograft nephropathy requiring RRT. In the second case (LCDD) patient received KT 3 years after ASCT. He developed Bence-Jones proteinuria requiring specific therapy with Dexametasone and Bortezomib determining progressive graft failure. In the third case (LCDD) KT was performed 4 years after ASCT and the 4 year follow up is negative for relapse of MM or ESRD. The fourth patient presented MCN and received KT 8 years after ASCT. MCN relapsed 6 years later; it caused ESRD requiring RRT. In the last patient (LCA) KT was performed 4 years after ASCT. No recurrence occurred in a 2-year follow up. Conclusion MM is the most frequent malignancy in dialytic population; the need for KT in MM remains high. ASCT improves the quality of life and offers higher survival in patients with myeloma/MGRS/amyloidosis-related ESRD. Therefore the combination of chemotherapy/ASCT and KT is pivotal to pursue renal restoring. Since high risk of recurrence larger study are required to clarify the better follow up period after MM remission and KT.

Background: In hemodialysis patients, a tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter is mandatory when the arteriovenous fistula is not feasible. The major risks of the use of tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter are bloodstream infections. The aim of this study is to analyze bloodstream infections from tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter in hemodialysis patients. Methods: An observational prospective study was carried out and 79 hemodialysis patients with tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter were enrolled. Patients were divided into those with bloodstream infections from tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter and those without. Their clinical and laboratory characteristics were compared. An original tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter lock therapy sequence was carried out combined with systemic antibiotic therapy. In case of antibiotic resistance, the tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter was removed. Results: The patients affected by bloodstream infections from tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter were 16/79 (20.3%). The bloodstream infection from tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter’s incidence rate was 0.52 per 1000 catheter days. Twenty-three bloodstream infections from tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter were found in 16/79 patients who used tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter. Staphylococcus aureus was the cause of bloodstream infection from tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter in 35% of the cases and Staphylococcus epidermidis in 30% of the cases. Risk factors were infection located in other organs and the presence of peripheral obstructive arterial disease. Conclusion: The enrolled cohort showed a reduced bloodstream infection from tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter incidence rate in comparison with the reference value (1 per 1000 catheter days). To reduce the number of bloodstream infections from tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter, hand hygiene and asepsis management of the tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter during the connection to the extracorporeal circuit and an original tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter lock therapy sequence seem to be the most efficient measures. Infections of other organs and the presence of peripheral obstructive arterial disease are the most important risk factors for bloodstream infections from tunneled-cuffed permanent catheter.

Vascular access-related complications are still one of the leading causes of morbidity in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study was to compare polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts versus tunneled cuffed permanent catheters (TCCs) in terms of vascular access and patients' survival. An observational study was carried out with a 2-year follow-up. Eighty-seven chronic hemodialysis patients were enrolled: 31 with a PTFE graft as vascular access for hemodialysis versus 56 with a TCC. Patients' mean age was 63.8 ± 14.6 (grafts) versus 73.5 ± 11.3 years (TCCs), P = 0.001. Significantly more patients with TCC had atrial fibrillation than patients with grafts (30.3% versus 6.5%, P = 0.01). In an unadjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis, median TCC survival at 24 months was 5.4 months longer than that of PTFE grafts but not significantly (log-rank test = 1.3, P = ns). In a Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, number of previous vascular accesses, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, smoking, and any complication, this lack of significant difference in survival of the vascular access between TCC and PTFE groups was confirmed and diabetes proved to be an independent risk factor for the survival of both vascular accesses considered (P = 0.02). In an unadjusted Kaplan-Meier analysis, a higher mortality was found in the TCC group than in the PTFE group at 24 months (log-rank test = 10.07, P < 0.01). The adjusted Cox regression analysis showed that patients with TCC had a 3.2 times higher risk of death than patients with PTFE grafts. When an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is not possible, PTFE grafts can be considered the vascular access of second choice, whereas TCCs can be used when an AVF or PTFE graft are not feasible or as a bridge to AVF or PTFE graft creation.

Background: Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) has been implicated in vascular calcification pathogenesis. CKD-MBD results in alterations in the number and function of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), physiological regulators of angiogenesis and vessel repair, commonly defined as proangiogenic progenitor cells (PACs) by the antigen pattern CD34+CD133+KDR+CD45– and putative EPCs by the pattern CD34+CD133−KDR+CD45–. These cells might acquire a calcifying phenotype in CKD-MBD, expressing mineralization biomarkers. We investigated the expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and osteocalcin (OC) on EPCs of healthy individuals and haemodialysis patients, and their possible associations with circulating biomarkers of inflammation and vascular calcification. Methods: We compared EPC counts, expressing VDR or OC, in 23 healthy subjects versus 53 haemodialysis patients, 17 of them without vitamin D receptor agonist (VDRA) therapy and 35 treated with calcitriol (n = 17) or paricalcitol (n = 18). The correlations with serum levels of inflammatory and calcification indexes were also analysed. Results: All subsets expressing VDR or OC were significantly higher in haemodialysis patients compared with healthy controls, but PACs were increased only in VDRA treatment subgroup, while putative EPCs showed a similar rise also in untreated patients. In VDRA-untreated patients, OC+ PACs correlated positively with calcium levels, while in VDRA-treated patients, VDR+ PACs correlated positively with interleukin 6 levels, and OC+ PACs correlated positively 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Conclusions: Our data suggest that in CKD-MBD, EPCs undergo an endothelial-to-procalcific shift, representing a risk factor for vascular calcification. A link between mineral disorders and vitamin D replacement therapy emerged, with potential adverse effects for CKD patients.