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Abstract: Background: Renal allograft vascular thrombosis is a complication that often results in graft loss. Since there are no guidelines on immediate postoperative thromboprophylaxis, we performed a telephone survey of clinical practice in all renal transplantation centers in France. Methods: Each center considered 4 cases relating to renal transplant candidates on dialysis with an increasing risk of thrombosis: Case 1: patient with no identified risk factors; Case 2: patient with an earlier incidence of deep vein thrombosis; Case 3: patient with ischemic heart disease on antiplatelet therapy; Case 4: patient with atrial fibrillation taking a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) with lupus nephritis syndrome. Results: The treatments proposed by the centers (%) were: Case 1: No anticoagulation therapy (57.1%), calcium heparin at prophylactic doses (P-dose) (40%), or unfractionated heparin (UFH); (P-dose; 2.9%). Case 2: No anticoagulation therapy (34.3%), calcium heparin (P-dose; 51.4%), or UFH (P-dose; 5.7%). Case 3: (A) Interruption of aspirin (65.7%), and either no anticoagulation therapy (21.7%) or substitution of aspirin by calcium heparin (P-dose; 56.6%) or by UFH (P-dose; 8.7%). (B) No interruption of aspirin (34.3%), and either no additional prophylaxis (58.3%) or calcium heparin (P-dose; 33.3%). Case 4: Interruption of VKA (100%), and UFH at a curative dose (68.6%), UFH (P-dose; 14.3%), or calcium heparin (P-dose; 11.4%). Conclusions: Practices varied widely in the absence of studies of sufficiently high power. There is a need for a preoperative classification of thrombotic and hemorrhagic risk among renal transplant candidates and for consensus guidelines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Long-term studies have demonstrated a slight increased risk for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) for living kidney donors (LKD). In France, living kidney donation doubled within the past 10 years. We investigated the change in characteristics of LKD between 2007 and 2017 and the adequacy of follow-up., Methods: Data were obtained from the national registry for LKD. We compared characteristics of LKD between two study periods: 2007-11 and 2012-17, and stratified donors by age and relation to recipient. We aggregated four characteristics associated with higher ESRD risk [young age, first-degree relation to recipient, obesity, low glomerular filtration rate (GFR) for age] in a single risk indicator ranging from 0 to 4., Results: We included 3483 donors. The proportion of unrelated donors >56 years of age increased significantly. The proportion of related donors <56 years of age decreased significantly. The body mass index and proportion of obese donors did not change significantly. The proportion of donors with low estimated GFR for age decreased significantly from 5% to 2.2% (P < 0.001). The proportion of donors with adequate follow-up after donation increased from 19.6% to 42.5% (P < 0.001). No donor had a risk indicator equal to 4, and the proportion of donors with a risk indicator equal to 0 increased significantly from 19.2% to 24.9% (P < 0.001)., Conclusions: An increase in living kidney donation in France does not seem to be associated with the selection of donors at higher risk of ESRD and the proportion of donors with adequate annual follow-up significantly increased., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved.)

Background: Moderate hyperhydration is often achieved in the early post-kidney transplantation period. Whether this strategy could lead to the development of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) has never been assessed so far. We aimed to study the incidence of IAH after kidney transplantation and its association with graft function recovery., Methods: We conducted a prospective monocentric study among patients undergoing kidney transplantation at the University Hospital of Reims between May 2017 and April 2019. Intravesical pressure (IVP) was monitored every 8 h from Day 0 to 3., Results: A total of 107 patients were enrolled. Among 55 patients included in the analysis, 74.5% developed IAH. Body mass index >25 kg/m2 was associated with IAH development {odds ratio [OR] 10.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0-52.9]; P = 0.005}. A previous history of peritoneal dialysis was protective [OR 0.06 (95% CI 0.01-0.3); P = 0.001]. IAH Grades III and IV occurred in 30.9% of patients and correlated with higher Day 3 creatininaemia (419.6 ± 258.5 versus 232.5 ± 189.4 μmol/L; P = 0.02), higher delayed graft function incidence (41.2 versus 7.9%; P = 0.04), lower Kirchner index measured using scintigraphy (0.47 ± 0.09 versus 0.64 ± 0.09; P = 0.0005) and decreased Day 30 estimated glomerular filtration rate (35.8 ± 18.8 versus 52.5 ± 21.3, P = 0.05). IAH patients had higher fluid balance (P = 0.02). Evolution of IVP correlated with weight gain (P < 0.01) and central venous pressure (P < 0.001)., Conclusions: IAH is frequent after kidney transplantation and IAH Grades III and IV are independently associated with impaired graft function. These results question current haemodynamic objectives and raise for the first time interest in intra-abdominal pressure monitoring in these patients., Clinical Trial Notation: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03478176., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved.)

Background: Pathological features of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) include enlarged kidney volume, higher frequency of digestive diverticulitis and abdominal wall hernias. Therefore, many nephrologists have concerns about the use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in ADPKD patients. We aimed to analyse survival and technique failure in ADPKD patients treated with PD., Methods: We conducted two retrospective studies on patients starting dialysis between 2000 and 2010. We used two French registries: the French Renal Epidemiology and Information Network (REIN) and the French language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry (RDPLF). Using the REIN registry, we compared the clinical features and outcomes of ADPKD patients on PD (n = 638) with those of ADPKD patients on haemodialysis (HD) (n = 4653); with the RDPLF registry, those same parameters were determined for ADPKD patients on PD (n = 797) and compared with those of non-ADPKD patients on PD (n = 12 059)., Results: A total of 5291 ADPKD patients and 12 059 non-ADPKD patients were included. Analysis of the REIN registry found that ADPKD patients treated with PD represented 10.91% of the ADPKD population. During the study period, PD was used for 11.2% of the non-ADPKD population. Compared with ADPKD patients on HD, ADPKD patients on PD had higher serum albumin levels (38.8 ± 5.3 versus 36.8 ± 5.7 g/dL, P < 0.0001) and were less frequently diabetic (5.31 versus 7.71%, P < 0.03). The use of PD in ADPKD patients was positively associated with the occurrence of a kidney transplantation but not with death [hazard ratio 1.15 (95% confidence interval 0.84-1.58)]. Analysis of the RDPLF registry found that compared with non-ADPKD patients on PD, ADPKD patients on PD were younger and had fewer comorbidities and better survival. ADPKD status was not associated with an increased risk of technique failure or an increased risk of peritonitis., Conclusions: According to our results, PD is proposed to a selected population of ADPKD patients, PD does not have a negative impact on ADPKD patients' overall survival and PD technique failure is not influenced by ADPKD status. Therefore PD is a reasonable option for ADPKD patients.

Lack of clear identification of patients at high risk of acute rejection hampers the ability to individualize immunosuppressive therapy. Here we studied whether thymic function may predict acute rejection in antithymocyte globulin (ATG)-treated renal transplant recipients in 482 patients prospectively studied during the first year post-transplant of which 86 patients experienced acute rejection. Only CD45RA(+)CD31(+)CD4(+) T cell (recent thymic emigrant [RTE]) frequency (RTE%) was marginally associated with acute rejection in the whole population. This T-cell subset accounts for 26% of CD4(+) T cells. Pretransplant RTE% was significantly associated with acute rejection in ATG-treated patients (hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.08) for each increased percent in RTE/CD4(+) T cells), but not in anti-CD25 monoclonal (αCD25 mAb)-treated patients. Acute rejection was significantly more frequent in ATG-treated patients with high pretransplant RTE% (31.2% vs. 16.4%) or absolute number of RTE/mm(3) (31.7 vs. 16.1). This difference was not found in αCD25 monclonal antibody-treated patients. Highest values of both RTE% (>31%, hazard ratio, 2.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-5.74) and RTE/mm(3) (>200/mm(3), hazard ratio, 3.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.59-8.70) were predictive of acute rejection in ATG-treated patients but not in patients having received αCD25 monoclonal antibody). Results were confirmed in a retrospective cohort using T-cell receptor excision circle levels as a marker of thymic function. Thus, pretransplant thymic function predicts acute rejection in ATG-treated patients., (Copyright © 2016 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Described for the first time in 1986, Parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection in kidney transplant recipients remains little-known and probably underestimated. The aims of this study were to establish B19V infection frequency during the first year after kidney transplant and to determine predisposing factors and manifestations of the infection in renal transplant recipients. Sixty consecutive adult patients, transplanted less than a year before, were included in this study. B19V and other opportunistic viral infections were detected retrospectively in plasma samples collected every 15 days during the first 3 months and every month from 3 months to 1 year following the kidney transplant. Demographic characteristics, immunosuppressive treatment and biological findings were recorded on each sampling date. Six patients (10%) presented B19V viremia, while eight CMV (13.3%), seven EBV (11.7%), five HHV-6 (8.3%), five BKV (8.3%), and two adenovirus (3.3%) infections were detected. The mean value of B19V viral load was 149 UI/ml. B19V infections were either reactivation or reinfection due to genotype two in five cases, while one case of primary infection with genotype 1 was observed. Neither risk factors nor biological consequences of B19V infection have been identified. These results rank B19V third among opportunistic viral infections occurring during the first year after a kidney transplant. With regard to this high incidence, and even if the risk factors and biological consequences of the infection should be assessed in larger studies, the question of systematic screening and follow-up of B19V infection in kidney transplant recipients is relevant., (Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objectives: Graft thrombosis is a major complication of transplantation. However, there are no recommendation on immediate postoperative thromboprophylaxis after kidney transplantation. We recorded clinical practices in France., Material and Methods: In 29 transplantation centres, four case studies were submitted to the medical kidney transplantation referent (compatible graft from cadaveric donor, without perioperative complication). N(o) 1: Man, 27-years-old, IgA glomerulonephritis, without history of hypercoagulability or cardiovascular risk factor. Hemodialysis since 12months. N(o) 2: Man, 53-years-old, with history of deep venous thrombosis after cholecystectomy 15years before. Membranous nephropathy. Hemodialysis since 10months. N(o) 3: Man, 58-years-old, with history of myocardial infarction. On aspirin therapy. Nephroangiosclerosis and diabetic nephropathy. Peritoneal dialysis since 6months. N(o) 4: Woman, 63-years-old. Atrial fibrillation on vitamin K antagonists therapy. Lupus nephritis without antiphospholipid syndrome. Hemodialysis since 12months., Results: N(o) 1: No anticoagulation therapy (62%), calcium heparin at prophylactic doses (34.5%). N(o) 2: No anticoagulation therapy (38%), calcium heparin at prophylactic doses (44.8%). N(o) 3: 62% interrupted aspirin of whom 22% without any immediate anticoagulation and 55% replaced aspirin with calcium heparin at prophylactic doses. Thirty-eight percent carried on with aspirin of whom 63.6% without other prophylaxis and 27.3% in association with calcium heparin at prophylactic doses. N(o) 4: Unfractionned heparin at curative dose (62%), unfractionned heparin at prophylactic doses (17.2%), calcium heparin at prophylactic doses (13.8%)., Conclusion: Postoperative anticoagulation after renal transplantation is established as a local dogma rather than evidence-based medicine. Guideline recommendations and standardized protocols for the use of anticoagulation after kidney transplantation should be developed.

The provision of care for patients with end-stage chronic renal failure is an important medical and economic challenge for the Health Insurance. Previous studies have shown a lower cost for home dialysis. More recently, studies have confirmed identical short-term survival rates between haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Notwithstanding, home dialysis techniques utilization remains weak in France. This work aims at: determining the average annual cost of dialysis, per patient and per technique of dialysis, and assessing the global annual cost of dialysis in France, from the Health Insurance perspective. Methodologically, this article provides a static estimation of the cost of dialysis. Costs related to co-morbidities of end-stage chronic renal failure have not been considered. Standard patient care schemes have been outlined by a multidisciplinary expert committee, for each dialysis technique, and have been valorised using publicly available data and tariffs recorded in 2005. Our result show that home dialysis techniques are the less costly, with an average annual cost per patient of 49.9, 49.7 and 50.0 k euro respectively for home haemodialysis, automated peritoneal dialysis, and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Autodialysis, autonomous in-center haemodialysis and in-center haemodialysis respectively cost 59.5, 62.3 and 81.5 k euro per patient and per annum. The total 2005 cost of dialysis for the Health Insurance is estimated at 2.1 billion euro. Therefore, the development of alternative techniques to in-center haemodialysis, such as home dialysis or autonomous in-center haemodialysis, autodialysis being already well developed, could generate savings for the Health Insurance. From the patient's perspective, it could also allow the enlightened choice of the best customized technique, less guided by local offer than by medical or social criteria, as well as by the patient's own opinion.