Artificial liver is one of the effective methods to treat liver failure. Patients with liver failure are critically ill and have great individualized differences. Therefore, the specific program for the treatment of liver failure with artificial liver should be individualized. The commonly used non-biological artificial liver models include simple plasmapheresis, double filtration plasmapheresis, plasma filtration with dialysis, double plasma molecular adsorption system, molecular absorbent recirculating system, hemodiafiltration, continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration, hybrid, etc. The curative effect should be properly judged from patient's symptoms, laboratory test indicators, survival rate and other aspects after artificial liver therapy.
Hemodiafiltration ; Humans ; Judgment ; Liver Failure/therapy* ; Liver, Artificial ; Plasmapheresis

The life expectancy of end-stage renal disease patients undergoing regular hemodialysis (HD) remains significantly lower than in the general population. Reducing excess mortality by improving renal replacement options is an unmet medical need. Online post-dilution hemodiafiltration (HDF) has been promoted as the gold standard, offering improved clinical outcomes, based on numerous observational studies that suggest a reduced mortality risk and lower morbidity with HDF compared with standard HD. However, most randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have failed to demonstrate a significant beneficial effect of HDF on all-cause mortality. The effects on secondary outcomes were often negligible or absent. Unfortunately, these RCTs were characterized by a moderate to high risk of bias. In post-hoc analyses of the largest RCTs and meta-analysis of individual participant data from four RCTs, HDF patients receiving the highest convection volume consistently and dose-dependently saw superior outcomes. However, as these studies were not designed a priori to clarify this issue, and there are no indisputable mechanisms underlying reduced mortality risks, we cannot exclude the possibility that the health status of patients (with vascular access as a proxy) may affect outcomes more than the convective technique itself. There is currently insufficient evidence to support the contention that high-volume HDF confers relevant benefits to patients over standard HD. The conflicting data of published RCTs reduce confidence in the superiority of high-volume convective therapy. Hopefully, ongoing large RCTs (for example, CONVINCE) may supply an indisputable answer to the crucial question of high-volume HDF.
Bias (Epidemiology) ; Convection ; Hemodiafiltration ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Life Expectancy ; Mortality ; Renal Dialysis

In this report, we present a case of successful treatment of a bowel fistula in the open abdomen by perforator flaps and an aponeurosis plug. A 70-year-old man underwent total gastrectomy and developed anastomotic leakage and dehiscence of the abdominal wound a week later. He was dependent upon extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, continuous hemodiafiltration, and a respirator. Bowel fluids contaminated the open abdomen. Two months after the gastric operation, a plastic surgery team, in consultation with general surgeons, performed perforator flaps on both sides and constructed, as it were, a bridge of skin sealing the orifice of the fistula. The aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle was elevated with the flap to be used as a plug. The perforators of the flaps were identified on preoperative and intraoperative ultrasonography. This modality allowed us to locate the perforators precisely and to evaluate the perforators by assessing their diameters and performing a waveform analysis. The contamination decreased dramatically afterwards. The bare areas were gradually covered by skin grafts. The fistula was closed completely 18 days after the perforator flap. An ultrasoundguided perforator flap with an aponeurosis plug can be an option for patients suffering from an open abdomen with a bowel fistula.
Abdomen* ; Abdominal Wound Closure Techniques ; Aged ; Anastomotic Leak ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Fistula* ; Gastrectomy ; Hemodiafiltration ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula ; Perforator Flap* ; Skin ; Surgeons ; Surgery, Plastic ; Transplants ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Doppler ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Wounds and Injuries

To investigate the role of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) in high glucose dialysate-induced peritoneal fibrosis.Thirty six male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (6 in each):normal control group, sham operation group, peritoneal dialysis group (PD group), PD+phloretin group (PD+T group), PD+phlorizin group (PD+Z group), PD+phloretin+phlorizin group (PD+T+Z group). Rat model of uraemia was established using 5/6 nephrotomy, and 2.5% dextrose peritoneal dialysis solution was used in peritoneal dialysis. Peritoneal equilibration test was performed 24 h after dialysis to evaluate transport function of peritoneum in rats; HE staining was used to observe the morphology of peritoneal tissue; and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of GLUT1, SGLT1, TGF-β1 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in peritoneum. Human peritoneal microvascular endothelial cells (HPECs) were divided into 5 groups:normal control group, peritoneal dialysis group (PD group), PD+phloretin group (PD+T group), PD+phlorezin group (PD+Z group), and PD+phloretin+phlorezin group (PD+T+Z group). Real time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect mRNA and protein expressions of GLUT1, SGLT1, TGF-β1, CTGF in peritoneal membrane and HPECs., compared with sham operation group, rats in PD group had thickened peritoneum, higher ultrafiltration volume, and the mRNA and protein expressions of GLUT1, SGLT1, CTGF, TGF-β1 were significantly increased (all<0.05); compared with PD group, thickened peritoneum was attenuated, and the mRNA and protein expressions of GLUT1, SGLT1, CTGF, TGF-β1 were significantly decreased in PD+T, PD+Z and PD+T+Z groups (all<0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the expressions of GLUT1, SGLT1 in peritoneum were positively correlated with the expressions of TGF-β1 and CTGF (all<0.05)., the mRNA and protein expressions of GLUT1, SGLT1, TGF-β1, CTGF were significantly increased in HPECs of peritoneal dialysis group (all<0.05), and those in PD+T, PD+Z, and PD+T+Z groups were decreased (all<0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the expressions of GLUT1, SGLT1 in HPECs were positively correlated with the expressions of TGF-β1 and CTGF (all<0.05).High glucose peritoneal dialysis fluid may promote peritoneal fibrosis by upregulating the expressions of GLUT1 and SGLT1.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; analysis ; drug effects ; Dialysis Solutions ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Glucose ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Glucose Transporter Type 1 ; analysis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Hemodiafiltration ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; adverse effects ; methods ; Peritoneal Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Peritoneum ; chemistry ; drug effects ; pathology ; Phloretin ; Phlorhizin ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium-Glucose Transporter 1 ; analysis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; analysis ; drug effects ; Uremia ; chemically induced

A 65-year-old man was transferred from the Department of Vascular Surgery to Nephrology because of cardiac arrest during hemodialysis. He underwent incision and drainage for treatment of a buttock abscess. Nafamostat mesilate was used as an anticoagulant for hemodialysis to address bleeding from the incision and drainage site. Sudden cardiac arrest occurred after 15 minutes of dialysis. The patient was treated in the intensive care unit for 5 days. Continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration was started without any anticoagulant in the intensive care unit. Conventional hemodialysis was reinitiated, and nafamostat mesilate was used again because of a small amount of continued bleeding. Ten minutes after hemodialysis, the patient complained of anaphylactic signs and symptoms such as dyspnea, hypotension, and facial swelling. Epinephrine, dexamethasone, and pheniramin were injected under the suspicion of anaphylactic shock, and the patient recovered. Total immunoglobulin E titer was high, and skin prick test revealed weak positivity for nafamostat mesilate. We first report a case of anaphylactic shock caused by nafamostat mesilate in Korea.
Abscess ; Aged ; Anaphylaxis ; Buttocks ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; Dexamethasone ; Dialysis ; Drainage ; Dyspnea ; Epinephrine ; Heart Arrest* ; Hemodiafiltration ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea ; Mesylates* ; Nephrology ; Renal Dialysis ; Skin

Conventional hemodialysis, which is based on the diffusive transport of solutes, is the most widely used renal replacement therapy. It effectively removes small solutes such as urea and corrects fluid, electrolyte and acid-base imbalance. However, solute diffusion coefficients decreased rapidly as molecular size increased. Because of this, middle and large molecules are not removed effectively and clinical problem such as dialysis amyloidosis might occur. Online hemodiafiltration which is combined by diffusive and convective therapies can overcome such problems by removing effectively middle and large solutes. Online hemodiafiltration is safe, very effective, economically affordable, improving session tolerance and may improve the mortality superior to high flux hemodialysis. However, there might be some potential limitations for setting up online hemodiafiltaration. In this article, we review the uremic toxins associated with dialysis, definition of hemodiafiltration, indication and prescription of hemodiafiltration and the limitations of setting up hemodiafiltration.
Acid-Base Imbalance ; Amyloidosis ; Dialysis ; Diffusion ; Hemodiafiltration* ; Mortality ; Prescriptions ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Urea ; Water

To evaluate the safety and efficiency of citrate anticoagulant-based continuous blood purification in patients at high risk of bleeding. 
 Methods: One hundred and fifty-two patients at high risk of bleeding were divided into local citrate group (group A, n=68) and heparin group (group B, n=84). Clotting function, change of pH, ionized sodium, bicarbonate ion, ionized calcium, activated clotting time (ACT) and complications were monitored before and during treatment. 
 Results: Compared to the group A, the incidence of clotting in filter and chamber, the degree of bleeding or fresh bleeding were significantly reduced in the group B (P<0.05). ACT of post-filter at 4, 8 and 12 h during the treatment in the group A was significantly extended compared with that without treatment (P<0.05), while there was no significant change in group B (P>0.05). The pH value, the levels of ionized sodium, bicarbonate ion and ionized calcium during the treatment were maintained in normal range in both group A and group B.
 Conclusion: Local citrate-based continuous blood purification can achieve effective anticoagulation and decrease the incidence of bleeding. It is an ideal choice for patients at high risk of bleeding.
Anticoagulants ; pharmacology ; Bicarbonates ; blood ; Blood Coagulation ; drug effects ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Calcium ; blood ; Citrates ; Citric Acid ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hemodiafiltration ; adverse effects ; methods ; Hemofiltration ; Hemorrhage ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Heparin ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Reference Values ; Renal Dialysis ; Sodium ; blood ; Treatment Outcome

The Korean Society of Nephrology (KSN) launched a nationwide official survey program about dialysis therapy in 1985. Nowadays, the accumulated data for 30 years by this "Insan Prof. Min Memorial end-stage renal disease (ESRD) Registry" program have been providing the essential information for dialysis clinical practice, academic nephrology research, and health management policy. We reviewed 30 years of data to identify important changes and implications for the future improvement of dialysis therapy in Korea. Hemodialysis patients, especially diabetics and elderly patients have increased in number very rapidly during recent years in Korea. The Korean prevalence rate of ESRD patients was about 70% of the United States and about 50% of Japan according to the international comparisons in the annual data report of United States Renal Data System. The blood pressure control, anemia control, and dialysis adequacy have continuously improved year by year. The importance of calcium and phosphorus control has also been increasing because of the increase in long-term dialysis patients. In addition, chronic dialysis complications should be closely monitored and dialysis modifications, such as hemodiafiltration therapy, might be considered. Because of the increase of private clinics and nursing hospitals in dialysis practice, the role of dialysis specialists and continuing education are thought to be essential. For strict cost-effective dialysis control of increasing elderly, diabetic, and long-term dialysis patients, the KSN ESRD patient registration should be run by the KSN and health ministry in cooperation, in which the dialysis fee reimbursement should be accompanied.
Aged ; Anemia ; Blood Pressure ; Calcium ; Dialysis ; Education, Continuing ; Fees and Charges ; Hemodiafiltration ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Japan ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Korea ; Nephrology ; Nursing ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Phosphorus ; Prevalence ; Renal Dialysis ; Specialization ; United States

Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker of the dihydropyridine group, is commonly used in management of hypertension, angina, and myocardial infarction. Amlodipine overdose, characterized by severe hypotension, arrythmias, and pulmonary edema, has seldom been reported in Korean literature. We report on a fatal case of amlodipine intoxication with complications including rhabdomyolysis and oliguric acute kidney injury. A 70-year-old woman with a medical history of hypertension was presented at the author's hospital 6 hours after ingestion of 50 amlodipine (norvasc) tablets (total dosage 250 mg) in an attempted suicide. Her laboratory tests showed a serum creatinine level of 2.5 mg/dL, with elevated serum creatine phosphokinase and myoglobin. The patient was initially treated with fluids, alkali, calcium gluconate, glucagon, and vasopressors without a hemodynamic effect. High-dose insulin therapy was also started with a bolus injection of regular insulin (RI), followed by continuous infusion of RI and 50% dextrose with water. Despite intensive treatment including insulin therapy, inotropics, mechanical ventilation, and continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration, the patient died of refractory shock and cardiac arrest with no signs of renal recovery 116 hours after her hospital admission.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Aged ; Alkalies ; Amlodipine* ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Calcium Channels ; Calcium Gluconate ; Creatine Kinase ; Creatinine ; Eating ; Female ; Glucagon ; Glucose ; Heart Arrest ; Hemodiafiltration ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypotension ; Insulin ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myoglobin ; Pulmonary Edema ; Respiration, Artificial ; Rhabdomyolysis* ; Shock ; Suicide, Attempted ; Tablets ; Water

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a complex medical disorder characterized by abnormalities in electrolyte, acid-base, and volume status. Metabolic acidosis in mild and moderate DKA is corrected with insulin therapy. Bicarbonate therapy may be indicated in cases of severe metabolic acidosis, however the use of bicarbonate in severe DKA is controversial due to a lack of prospective randomized studies. Renal replacement therapy can be used for correction of systemic acidemia. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is used in patients who are too hemodynamically unstable to tolerate conventional hemodialysis, but has also been used in treatment of patients with severe DKA. CRRT has never been used previously in DKA patients with refractory metabolic acidosis in Korea. Here, we describe the successful treatment of a DKA patient with refractory metabolic acidosis with CRRT.
Acidosis* ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis* ; Hemodiafiltration* ; Humans ; Insulin ; Korea ; Prospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Replacement Therapy