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Biomedical subjects

J T McCarthy

Publications and source records attributed to J T McCarthy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Evaluation of long-term survival after successful percutaneous coronary intervention among patients with chronic renal failure.

We studied the long-term outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention in dialysis patients and in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) (serum creatinine > or = 3.0 mg/dl). All-cause mortality at 1 year was 2.9% for the control group, 16.2% for the group with CRF, and 14.1% for dialysis patients. Cardiac mortality at 1 year was 1.9% for ther control group, 15.2% for the group with CRF, and 10.0% for dialysis patients.

Aged↗

Is calciphylaxis best treated surgically or medically?

BACKGROUND: Calciphylaxis is a rare, painful, life-threatening problem of cutaneous necrosis and refractory healing in patients with uremia and secondary hyperparathyroidism. The pathogenesis involves abnormalities in calcium and phosphorus metabolism and acute deposition of calcium in tissues. METHOD: The clinical course of 16 patients who were diagnosed with calciphylaxis at our institution from 1994 through 1998 was reviewed. RESULTS: Fourteen female patients and 2 male patients had chronic renal disease, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and characteristic skin necrosis (mean age, 56 years; range, 39-70 years). All patients underwent intensive medical therapy, including ongoing hemodialysis (n = 16 patients), parathyroidectomy (n = 7 patients), and debridement of cutaneous lesions (n = 8 patients). Mean serum values in surgical and nonsurgical patients were significantly different for phosphorus, calcium-phosphorus product, and parathormone levels. Median survival was 9.4 months; 15 patients (93%) have died. The median survival time for parathyroidectomy versus nonparathyroidectomy was 14.8 and 6.3 months (P =.22), for skin debridement versus nondebridement was 14.1 and 6.1 months (P =.08), and for diabetic versus nondiabetic patients was 6.5 and 13.9 months (P =.11). CONCLUSIONS: Calciphylaxis has a female preponderance, with a dismal prognosis. A multidisciplinary approach that uses frequent hemodialysis to normalize calcium and phosphorus levels and local debridement of skin lesions seems prudent. Parathyroidectomy cannot be recommended routinely in all patients, unless severe hyperparathyroidism mandates intervention.

Adult↗

Reduced synthesis of muscle proteins in chronic renal failure.

Muscle wasting and weakness occur frequently in patients with chronic renal failure. The mechanism(s) by which these abnormalities occur is unclear. We hypothesized that such findings were due to defective muscle protein synthesis. We measured synthetic rates of mixed muscle proteins, myosin heavy chain, and mitochondrial proteins in serial muscle biopsy samples during a continuous infusion of L[1-(13)C]leucine from 12 patients with chronic renal failure and 10 healthy control subjects under identical study conditions. Patients with chronic renal failure have significantly lower synthetic rates of mixed muscle proteins and myosin heavy chain (27 and 37% reductions, respectively, P < 0.05 and P < 0.02). Significant declines in the synthetic rates of muscle mitochondrial protein (27%) (P < 0.05), muscle cytochrome c-oxidase activity (42%) (P < 0.007), and citrate synthase (27%) (P < 0.007) were also observed in patients with chronic renal failure. The synthetic rates of muscle proteins and activity of mitochondrial enzymes were negatively correlated to the severity of renal failure. These results indicate that in chronic renal failure there is a decrease in the synthesis of muscle contractile and mitochondrial proteins and a decrease in muscle mitochondrial oxidative enzymes. Reduced synthetic rate of several muscle proteins is the likely biochemical basis of muscle loss and muscle weakness in people with chronic renal failure.

Adult↗

Infective endocarditis in patients receiving long-term hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the predominant characteristics of patients receiving long-term dialysis who develop infective endocarditis (IE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of all chronic hemodialysis patients who had IE at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, between 1983 and 1997. RESULTS: Twenty episodes of IE occurred in 17 patients. One patient had 3 episodes of IE, and 1 patient had 2 episodes of IE; each episode was caused by a different organism. The mean +/- SD age of our patients was 63 +/- 11 years; there were 13 males; 6 patients had diabetes mellitus; and the mean +/- SD duration of hemodialysis prior to IE was 24.2 +/- 20.5 months. This analysis included 10 episodes of IE (occurring in 9 patients) within the Mayo Clinic Dialysis System during which time 223,358 hemodialysis treatments were delivered, giving a rate of 10 IE episode per 223,336 hemodialysis treatments. Among all 20 IE episodes, there were 14 synthetic arteriovenous grafts, 4 permanent venous dialysis catheters, 2 temporary venous dialysis catheters, and 2 native arteriovenous fistulas (2 accesses in 2 patients), and access had been in place for a mean +/- SD of 15.9 +/- 18.6 months. The portal of infection was the hemodialysis access in 13 episodes of IE. The causative organisms for IE were Staphylococcus aureus in 8 cases, Enterococcus sp in 4 cases, viridans streptococcus in 3 cases, Staphylococcus epidermidis in 2 cases, and 1 case each of Streptococcus bovis, group G beta-hemolytic streptococcus, and Aspergillus sp. The mitral valve was involved in 9 cases, the aortic valve was involved in 5 cases, and the tricuspid and pulmonic valves were involved in 1 case each. Patient survival (after the first episode of IE) was 71% at 30 days; 53% at 60 days; and 35% at 1 year. Echocardiography was performed in 19 episodes of IE. The transthoracic echocardiogram was 62.5% sensitive and 40% specific for the presence of definite or probable vegetations. Univariate analysis for factors affecting 60-day survival show that presence of right-sided IE, vegetation size greater than 2.0 cm3, diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, and initial leukocyte count greater than 12.5 x 10(9)/L were poor prognostic factors. Aortic valve involvement carried a better prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Infective endocarditis in hemodialysis patients is relatively infrequent but has a high mortality. Patients with synthetic intravascular dialysis angioaccess (synthetic grafts and venous catheters) are more likely to develop IE than patients with native arteriovenous fistulas. Transesophageal echocardiography is a preferred echocardiographic study for suspected cases of IE. Prolonged antibiotic therapy is needed for all patients, and close monitoring is needed for patients with right-sided IE, large vegetations, diabetes mellitus, and an elevated leukocyte count.

Adult↗

Patient survival and renal recovery in acute renal failure: randomized comparison of cellulose acetate and polysulfone membrane dialyzers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate survival and renal recovery after dialysis in patients with acute renal failure with use of synthetic membranes compared with substituted cellulose membranes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied survival and recovery of renal function of 66 patients with acute renal failure who required intermittent hemodialysis. Patients were randomized to exclusive treatment with either cellulose acetate (CA) or polysulfone (PS) hemodialysis membranes. Additionally, markers of biocompatibility (complement, leukocyte counts, cytokine concentration) were measured at initiation and 1 hour after initiation of dialysis among 10 patients equally distributed between the CA and PS groups. RESULTS: The cohorts were indistinguishable with respect to age, sex, presence of diabetes mellitus, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores, percentage in the intensive care unit (ICU), and adequacy of dialysis. Survival (76% CA, 73% PS; P=.78) and recovery of renal function at 30 days (58% CA, 39% PS; P=.14) were not statistically different in the 2 groups. Among 26 CA patients and 27 PS patients treated in the ICU, survival was not statistically different (73% CA, 67% PS; P=.61); however, the proportion of patients recovering renal function suggested a benefit favoring CA membranes (65% CA, 37% PS; P=.04). Additionally, markers of biocompatibility were not significantly different between groups among the 10 patients equally distributed between the CA and PS groups. CONCLUSIONS: Overall clinical outcomes among patients with acute renal failure treated with CA hemodialysis membranes and those treated with PS membranes were not significantly different. The observed advantage favoring renal recovery among this ICU population treated with CA hemodialysis membranes warrants further investigation.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

A practical approach to the management of patients with chronic renal failure.

The number of patients with significant chronic renal failure is expanding rapidly in the United States. All physicians and medical-care providers will have an increasingly important role in the detection and management of renal failure in patients who are not undergoing dialysis. Patients with diabetes or hypertension should be carefully monitored for the development of renal insufficiency by using screening tools such as blood pressure measurement, determination of serum creatinine, urinalysis, and determination of 24-hour urinary microalbuminuria. In order to slow the progression of renal disease, attenuate uremic complications, and prepare patients with renal failure for renal replacement therapy, all medical-care providers should "take care of the BEANS." Blood pressure should be maintained in a target range lower than 130/85 mm Hg, and in many patients, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors may be beneficial. Erythropoietin should be used to maintain the hemoglobin level at 10 to 12 g/dL. Access for long-term dialysis should be created when the serum creatinine value increases above 4.0 mg/dL or the glomerular filtration rate declines below 20 mL/min. Nutritional status must be closely monitored in order to avoid protein malnutrition and to initiate dialysis before the patient's nutritional status has deteriorated. Nutritional care also involves correction of acidosis, prevention and treatment of hyperphosphatemia, and administration of vitamin supplements to provide folic acid. Specialty referral to nephrology should occur when the creatinine level increases above 3.0 mg/dL or when the involvement of a nephrologist would be beneficial for ongoing management of the patient.

Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical↗

Renal and urologic complications of inflammatory bowel disease.

Renal and urologic complications are not uncommon in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and can be directly or indirectly related to the underlying disease process or its treatment. Many of these patients have asymptomatic disease, or the urinary symptoms are nonspecific or overshadowed by bowel symptoms. By the time a urinary complication is considered, significant disease progression or renal damage may have occurred. These risks necessitate a high degree of diligence and periodic urologic evaluation as part of the long-term management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Amyloidosis↗

Improved biochemical variables, nutrient intake, and hormonal factors in slow nocturnal hemodialysis: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether slow nocturnal hemodialysis (SNHD) can be safely performed in patients with end-stage renal disease to improve the biochemical and clinical outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted an 8-week pilot study in nondiabetic adult patients, who underwent dialysis 6 nights per week for 8 hours each night. A dialysate flow rate of 300 mL/min and a blood flow rate of 250 mL/min, through an internal jugular dual-lumen venous catheter, were used. The equipment used was a COBE Centry System 3 dialysis machine and Fresenius F-80 (1.8 m2) or Baxter CT 190 (1.9 m2) dialyzers. Five patients were enrolled in the study. RESULTS: Two patients did not complete the study because of catheter-related infections--one at day 7 and one after 4 weeks of SNHD. All patients had improved blood pressure control, and no intradialytic adverse events occurred. Dietary intake improved, urea and creatinine levels significantly decreased, and weekly delivery of dialysate increased on SNHD. Potassium, chloride, beta 2-microglobulin, phosphorus, calcium, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol all improved on SNHD. Serum testosterone increased in the three men on SNHD, but parathyroid hormone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone remained unchanged. Erythropoietin levels increased on SNHD, despite no change in exogenous erythropoietin doses in three patients and discontinuation of administration of erythropoietin in one. The following biochemical factors did not change significantly: serum sodium, bicarbonate, vitamin B12, folate, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and albumin. CONCLUSION: Higher doses of hemodialysis benefit nutrition, improve biochemical variables, and may improve many hormonal systems.

Adult↗

Melanoma.

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Humans↗

Money-irritation.

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Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice↗

Improved preservation of residual renal function in chronic hemodialysis patients using polysulfone dialyzers.

Our objective was to determine whether patients with chronic renal failure requiring maintenance hemodialysis retain intrinsic renal function longer when using reprocessed polysulfone (PS) membrane hemodialyzers or single-use cellulose acetate (CA) membrane hemodialyzers. Fifty consecutive patients with residual renal function (urea clearance > 2.0 mL/min) using PS dialyzers were compared with a retrospective, disease- and time-matched population of patients using CA dialyzers. Endogenous urea clearance was measured every 3 months in all patients with remaining residual function. Other data collected included age, sex, cause of chronic renal failure, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or calcium channel blockers, and hemodynamic stability during hemodialysis. All patients were observed for at least 6 months while using a single type of dialyzer. Study end points included loss of residual renal function (urea clearance < 1.0 mL/min), death, transplant, transfer to peritoneal dialysis, or change of dialyzer. The PS and CA groups of patients were well matched for sex, age, initial renal clearance, predialysis blood pressure, and hemodynamic stability during hemodialysis. The PS patients had a higher delivered Kt/V (1.34 +/- 0.30 [mean +/- SD]) than the CA patients (1.06 +/- 0.20). The PS group had a higher average urea clearance than the CA group after 4 to 9 months of dialysis (2.8 +/- 2.6 mL/min v 1.7 +/- 1.6 mL/min, respectively), after 10 to 15 months of chronic dialysis (2.0 +/- 2.4 mL/min v 1.1 +/- 1.5 mL/min, respectively), and after 16 to 21 months of dialysis (1.3 +/- 1.9 mL/min v 0.5 +/- 1.1 mL/min, respectively; all P < 0.03, t-test). After 22 to 24 months of dialysis, the difference between the two groups was not significant. When comparing patients with identical causes of chronic renal failure, there were no differences between the PS and CA groups for those with diabetes mellitus, tubulointerstitial disease, or polycystic disease. Patients with parenchymal renal disease (glomerulonephritis or nephrosclerosis) had markedly better retention of intrinsic renal function with PS than with CA dialyzers (all P < 0.01). Kaplan-Meier analysis for retention of intrinsic renal function showed that PS patients with parenchymal renal disease had a mean of 23 months before loss of intrinsic renal function, whereas for CA patients the mean was 11 months before loss of intrinsic renal function (P = 0.0005). Cellulose acetate patients lost renal function at an average rate of 0.27 +/- 0.22 mL/min/mo, whereas for PS patients the rate was 0.14 +/- 0.56 mL/min/mo (P = 0.06, rank sum). CA patients with parenchymal renal disease lost renal function at a rate of 0.29 +/- 0.22 mL/min/mo, whereas for PS patients the rate was 0.0 +/- 0.8 mL/min/mo (P = 0.004, rank sum). Age, sex, and the use of either angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or calcium channel blockers did not have an effect on the loss of intrinsic renal function. Patients with nondiabetic parenchymal renal disease receiving chronic hemodialysis with hydrogen peroxide/peroxyacetic acid-reprocessed PS dialyzers and a higher Kt/V lose residual renal function at a slower rate than disease-matched patients using single-use CA dialyzers. Our findings provide further evidence that the choice of dialyzer membrane may have an effect on intrinsic renal function.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Reversible membranous nephropathy associated with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency of membranous nephropathy associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and identify associated clinical characteristics. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: A large group practice that staffs 2 large teaching hospitals. PATIENTS: All patients diagnosed as having stage I or early stage II membranous nephropathy by renal biopsy between January 1975 and May 1995. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Nephrotic syndrome was said to be associated with NSAID use if patients developed nephrotic syndrome while taking an NSAID and if other causes of membranous nephropathy were excluded and a rapid remission of the nephrotic syndrome followed withdrawal of the drug. RESULTS: Of 125 patients identified with early membranous nephropathy, 29 were taking NSAIDs at the time symptoms of nephrotic syndrome developed. Thirteen of these patients met the criteria for NSAID-associated membranous nephropathy. None of these patients had any evidence of renal insufficiency or significant proteinuria after follow-up periods ranging from 5 months to 13 years. In addition to diclofenac and fenoprofen, which have previously been implicated, ibuprofen, nabumetone, naproxen, and tolmetin were found to be associated. CONCLUSIONS: Nephrotic syndrome due to membranous nephropathy should be recognized as an idiosyncratic drug reaction to many NSAIDS. Because withdrawal of the drug may result in prompt and complete recovery of normal renal function, a history of NSAID intake should be sought in patients with membranous nephropathy.

Adult↗

The uremic gangrene syndrome: improved healing in spontaneously forming wounds following subtotal parathyroidectomy.

Patients with end-stage renal disease often demonstrate retarded healing of surgical wounds, but the basis for spontaneous wound formation in these patients is less well understood. We report our experience with four patients with a unique clinical entity previously described as the uremic gangrene syndrome (also known as calciphylaxis) that involves spontaneously forming and insidiously progressive wounds of the skin and soft tissue in uremic patients with hyperparathyroidism. The importance of recognizing this phenomenon relates to the potential benefit to wound-healing efforts resulting from subtotal parathyroidectomy and adjustment of serum calcium and phosphate levels when severe hyperparathyroidism is present. Disrupted parathyroid homeostasis as a mechanism for soft-tissue ischemia and subsequent infarction is supported by wound biopsies demonstrating microarterial calcification. As experts in factors resulting in refractory wounds, plastic surgeons need be aware of this peculiar vulnerability for spontaneously forming wounds in uremic patients. Clinical and laboratory findings, success with wound treatment in four patients, and currently popular pathophysiologic mechanisms are discussed.

Adult↗

Renal replacement therapy in acute renal failure.

The choices regarding renal replacement therapy in acute renal failure have become more complex. The underlying prognosis of the patient should be considered when making the choice of a dialysis treatment. The attending nephrologist must also have a working knowledge of the potential advantages of various dialyzers and continuous renal replacement therapies to maximize the potential for recovery of patients with acute renal failure.

Acute Kidney Injury↗