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T A Depner

Publications and source records attributed to T A Depner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Association of acidosis and nutritional parameters in hemodialysis patients.

There is extensive literature supporting an important role for acidosis in inducing net protein breakdown, both in experimental animals and humans. However, the clinical importance of the moderate intermittent metabolic acidosis frequently observed in hemodialysis patients has not been determined. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline laboratory data in the first 1,000 patients recruited to the Hemodialysis Study, looking for correlations between predialysis serum total carbon dioxide levels and parameters related to dietary intake and nutritional status. We found the mean predialysis serum total carbon dioxide level was moderately low (21.6 +/- 3.4 mmol/L; mean +/- SD) despite the use of bicarbonate dialysate and an average single-pool Kt/V of 1.54. Predialysis serum total carbon dioxide level correlated negatively with normalized protein catabolic rate (P < 0.001), suggesting patients with lower serum total carbon dioxide levels have a greater protein intake. The degree of acidosis observed in our patients does not seem to have a deleterious effect on the nutritional status of these patients because correlation of serum total carbon dioxide level with nutritional parameters, such as serum creatinine and serum albumin levels, was either negative or not statistically significant. Further investigation of the effect of modifying serum bicarbonate concentration on nutritional markers is needed to test these hypotheses.

Acidosis

Acute-phase response predicts erythropoietin resistance in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients.

We defined erythropoietin (EPO) resistance by the ratio of the weekly EPO dose to hematocrit (Hct), yielding a continuously distributed variable (EPO/Hct). EPO resistance is usually attributed to iron or vitamin deficiency, hyperparathyroidism, aluminum toxicity, or inflammation. Activation of the acute-phase response, assessed by the level of the acute-phase C-reactive protein (CRP), correlates strongly with hypoalbuminemia and mortality in both hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. In this cross-sectional study of 92 HD and 36 PD patients, we examined the contribution of parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, iron indices, aluminum levels, nutritional parameters (normalized protein catabolic rate [PCRn]), dialysis adequacy (Kt/V), and CRP to EPO/Hct. Albumin level serves as a measure of both nutrition and inflammation and was used as another independent variable. Serum albumin level (deltaR2 = 0.129; P < 0.001) and age (deltaR2 = 0.040; P = 0.040) were the best predictors of EPO/Hct in HD patients, and serum albumin (deltaR2 = 0.205; P = 0.002) and ferritin levels (deltaR2 = 0.132; P = 0.015) in PD patients. When albumin was excluded from the analysis, the best predictors of EPO/Hct were CRP (deltaR2 = 0.105; P = 0.003) and ferritin levels (deltaR2 = 0.051; P = 0.023) in HD patients and CRP level (deltaR2 = 0.141; P = 0.024) in PD patients. When both albumin and CRP were excluded from analysis in HD patients, low transferrin levels predicted high EPO/Hct (deltaR2 = 0.070; P = 0.011). EPO/Hct was independent of PTH and aluminum levels, PCRn, and Kt/V. High EPO/Hct occurred in the context of high ferritin and low transferrin levels, the pattern expected in the acute-phase response, not in iron deficiency. In well-dialyzed patients who were iron replete, the acute-phase response was the most important predictor of EPO resistance.

Acute-Phase Reaction

Cardiac output and central blood volume during hemodialysis: methodology.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in patients whose lives depend on hemodialysis. We developed a method for measuring cardiac output (CO) and central blood volume (CBV) in hemodialyzed patients that may help to elucidate the mechanisms and consequences of cardiac disease in this population. This report describes the technique, focusing on the main sources of error and how they can be prevented. Three principal sources of error were identified: (1) access recirculation (existing or induced during injection); (2) the second pass of the indicator through the cardiopulmonary system, exacerbated by prolonging the duration of intravenous injection; and (3) the transit time of the indicator through the dialysis blood lines. After the algorithms were adjusted to prevent the above errors, the reproducibility of CO and CBV, expressed as the absolute percent deviation from the average of duplicates (3,488 values duplicated within 5 minutes), was 4.3 +/- 3.8% for CO and 4.1 +/- 3.8% for CBV. To determine the clinical value of routine CO and CBV measurements, morbid events (nausea, vomiting, and/or muscle cramps) were prospectively recorded in 73 randomly selected hemodialysis patients. CO and CBV were measured near the beginning and near the end of 98 dialysis sessions during which 28 morbid events were identified. In 10 of these sessions, where morbid events took place within 30 minutes of the measurements, CBV appeared to be a more sensitive indicator of morbid events than CO. We conclude that CO and CBV can be routinely and reliably measured during hemodialysis if precautions are taken to avoid specifically identified sources of error. Preliminary studies suggest that these measurements may have significant prognostic value.

Blood Volume

Imprecision of the hemodialysis dose when measured directly from urea removal. Hemodialysis Study Group.

BACKGROUND: The postdialysis blood urea nitrogen (BUN; Ct) is a pivotal parameter for assessing hemodialysis adequacy by conventional blood-side methods, but Ct is relatively unstable because of hemodialysis-induced disequilibrium. The uncertainty associated with this method is potentially reduced or eliminated by measuring urea removed on the dialysate side, a more direct approach that can determine adequacy from the fraction of urea removed and by substituting an estimate of the equilibrated postdialysis BUN (Ceq) for Ct. For a patient with a known urea volume (V), Ceq, the equilibrated Kt/V (eKt/V), and the solute removal index (SRI) can be calculated from the predialysis BUN (C0), total urea nitrogen removed (A), and V from simple mass balance calculations (dialysate/volume method). However, a theoretical error analysis showed that relatively small errors in A, C0, or V are magnified when SRI or eKt/V is calculated using this method, especially at higher eKt/V values (for example, if eKt/V = 1.4 per dialysis, a 7% dialysate collection error causes a 20% error in eKt/V). METHODS: During three to four baseline dialyses in each of 39 patients enrolled in the pilot phase of the HEMO Study, "A" was measured using an instrument that sampled dialysate frequently (Biostat), and V was calculated from A, C0, and Ceq (median CV for V = 5.6%). The mean V was then applied to the dialysate/volume method to estimate eKt/V and SRI during two to five subsequent dialyses per patient (comparison dialyses). The accuracy and precision of these estimates were assessed by comparing them with eKt/V and SRI derived from a direct measurement of Ceq drawn 30 minutes after dialysis (reference method), from mathematical curve-fitting of sequential dialysate urea concentrations (dialysate curve-fit method), and from another blood-side method that estimates eKt/V from single pool Kt/V and the fractional rate of solute removal (rate method): eKt/V = spKt/V - 0.6.K/V + 0.03. RESULTS: During 128 comparison dialyses, median absolute errors for calculated eKt/V compared with the reference method were 0.169, 0.061, and 0.071 for the dialysate/volume method, the rate method, and the dialysate curve-fitting method, respectively. The corresponding correlation coefficients were 0.47, 0.88, and 0.81. For SRI, median absolute errors were 0.044, 0.018, and 0.027, and the correlation coefficients were 0.54, 0.85, and 0.74 for the three methods. CONCLUSIONS: The precision of eKt/V and SRI measurements was significantly lower for the dialysate/volume method compared with the blood-side methods. Inclusion of the dialysate curve analysis provided by the Biostat restored precision to the dialysate method to a level comparable to that of the blood-side methods. New techniques employing dialysate urea analysis should include a concentration profile to avoid these inherent methodological errors and assure the accuracy of eKt/V and SRI.

Female

Relationship between apparent (single-pool) and true (double-pool) urea distribution volume.

BACKGROUND: The volume of urea distribution (V) is usually derived from single-pool variable volume urea kinetics. A theoretical analysis has shown that modeled single-pool V (Vsp) is overestimated when the urea reduction ratio (URR) is greater than 65 to 70% and is underestimated when the URR is less than 65%. The "true" volume derived from double-pool kinetics (Vdp) does not exhibit this effect. An equation has been derived to adjust Vsp to the expected Vdp. METHODS: To validate these theoretical predictions, we examined data from the Hemodialysis (HEMO) Study to assess the performance of Vdp as estimated from Vsp using the previously published prediction equation. For increased precision, both Vsp and Vdp were factored by anthropometric volume (Va). Patients were first dialyzed with a target equilibrated dialysis dose (eKt/V) of 1.45 during a baseline period and were then randomly assigned to eKt/V targets of either 1. 05 (a URR of approximately 67%) or 1.45 (a URR of approximately 75%). A blood sample was obtained one hour after starting dialysis during one dialysis in each patient. RESULTS: Vsp/Va was (mean +/- SD) 1.014 +/- 0.127 in 795 patients during the baseline period when the URR was approximately 1.45. During the first modeled dialysis after randomization, the Vsp/Va fell to 0.961 +/- 0.138 in the group with an eKt/V target of 1.05, but did not change significantly under the high eKt/V goal. The correction of Vsp to Vdp using the prediction equation resulted in a Vdp/Va ratio of 0.96 to 0.98 in all three circumstances without significant differences. When a blood sample was drawn one hour after starting dialysis, the apparent Vsp/Va ratio at one hour was much lower at 0.708 +/- 0.139. However, the mean Vdp/Va ratio, computed using the correction equation, was 0.968 +/- 0.322, which was similar to the Vdp/Va ratio calculated from the postdialysis blood urea nitrogen. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the previously derived formula for adjusted Vsp is valid experimentally. The Vsp/Vdp correction should be useful for prescribing hemodialysis with either a very low Kt/V (for example, daily and early incremental dialysis) or a very high Kt/V.

Humans

Effects of hemodialyzer reuse on clearances of urea and beta2-microglobulin. The Hemodialysis (HEMO) Study Group.

Although dialyzer reuse in chronic hemodialysis patients is commonly practiced in the United States, performance of reused dialyzers has not been extensively and critically evaluated. The present study analyzes data extracted from a multicenter clinical trial (the HEMO Study) and examines the effect of reuse on urea and beta2-microglobulin (beta2M) clearance by low-flux and high-flux dialyzers reprocessed with various germicides. The dialyzers evaluated contained either modified cellulosic or polysulfone membranes, whereas the germicides examined included peroxyacetic acid/acetic acid/hydrogen peroxide combination (Renalin), bleach in conjunction with formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde or Renalin, and heated citric acid. Clearance of beta2M decreased, remained unchanged, or increased substantially with reuse, depending on both the membrane material and the reprocessing technique. In contrast, urea clearance decreased only slightly (approximately 1 to 2% per 10 reuses), albeit statistically significantly with reuse, regardless of the porosity of the membrane and reprocessing method. Inasmuch as patient survival in the chronic hemodialysis population is influenced by clearances of small solutes and middle molecules, precise knowledge of the membrane material and reprocessing technique is important for the prescription of hemodialysis in centers practicing reuse.

Acetic Acid

In vivo measurement of hemodialyzer fiber bundle volume: theory and validation.

BACKGROUND: Fiber bundle volume (FBV), the space within the blood compartment of hollow fiber dialyzers, may decrease during treatment due to clotting. The clots may be flushed out of the dialyzer prior to measurements of FBV by dialyzer reprocessing equipment and a significant drop in FBV during the session may go unrecognized. METHODS: FBV was measured (1) from the transit time of a saline bolus passing through the dialyzer as recorded by ultrasound dilution sensors placed on the arterial and venous blood lines; (2) from the change in blood concentration induced by a step change in the rate of ultrafiltration as recorded by the venous sensor. RESULTS: In vitro FBV ranged from 47 to 121 ml. Paired absolute differences between the ultrasound and volumetric measurements (flushing saline out of the dialyzer into a graduated cylinder) were 0.16 +/- 4.23% (N = 42) and 2.10 +/- 7.26% (N = 13) for the bolus and ultrafiltration methods, respectively. In vivo reproducibility of the bolus and ultrafiltration methods were 2.65 +/- 2.11% (N = 122) and 3.79 +/- 3.93% (N = 32), respectively. During 31 treatments the FBV by dilution showed an average decrease of 4.17 +/- 8.60%, and in 6 cases FBV fell more than 10%, while measurements of the same FBV by reuse equipment showed an increase of 0.99 +/- 5.82%, P < 0.01. CONCLUSIONS: FBV measured by the dilution methods was accurate and reproducible. Preliminary results suggest that in vivo FBV may differ significantly from results reported by reprocessing machines.

Humans

Determinants of albumin concentration in hemodialysis patients.

Hypoalbuminemia predicts mortality in hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease and is assumed to result from malnutrition. To investigate a possible alternative cause, we evaluated the relationships between serum albumin (Salb) and serum levels of two positive acute-phase proteins: C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA). We also examined the relationship between Salb and dialysis dose delivered (Kt/V) and normalized protein catabolic rate (PCRn) measured during 3 consecutive months in a group of 115 patients. Serum albumin was measured monthly for 5 months. SAA levels were not increased in the majority of patients, despite its low molecular weight (8 kd), and predialysis concentrations were independent of residual renal function, compatible with a nonrenal site of metabolism. Both CRP and SAA levels correlated negatively with Salb both by linear regression and by multiple regression analysis (P < 0.001). CRP correlated with fibrinogen (P < 0.005). Salb also correlated positively with PCRn (P = 0.001), but not with Kt/V. The Kt/V did not correlate with PCRn. While CRP and SAA correlated with one another, neither variable correlated with PCRn. When either SAA or CRP was high, Salb was low regardless of PCRn. Thus, there are two separate independent factors predicting Salb--markers of inflammation and protein intake--but high concentrations of acute-phase proteins have a greater impact on Salb than does low PCRn. Activity of the acute-phase response is an important predictor of low Salb in hemodialysis patients independently of nutritional factors.

Adolescent

Comparison of methods to predict equilibrated Kt/V in the HEMO Pilot Study.

The ongoing HEMO Study, a National Institutes of Health (NIH) sponsored multicenter trial to test the effects of dialysis dosage and membrane flux on morbidity and mortality, was preceded by a Pilot Study (called the MMHD Pilot Study) designed to test the reliability of methods for quantifying hemodialysis. Dialysis dose was defined by the fractional urea clearance per dialysis determined by the predialysis BUN and the equilibrated postdialysis BUN after urea rebound is completed (eKt/V). In the Pilot Study the blood side standard for eKt/V was calculated from the predialysis, postdialysis, and 30-minute postdialysis BUN. Four techniques of approximating eKt/V that eliminated the requirement for the 30-minute postdialysis sample were also evaluated. The first adjusted the single compartment Kt/V using a linear equation with slope based on the relative rate of solute removal (K/V) to predict eKt/V (rate method). The second and third techniques used equations or mathematical curve fitting algorithms to fit data that included one or more samples drawn during dialysis (intradialysis methods). The fourth technique (dialysate-side) predicted eKt/V from an analysis of the time-dependent profile of dialysate urea nitrogen concentrations (BioStat method; Baxter Healthcare, Inc., Round Lake, IL, USA). The Pilot Study demonstrated the feasibility of conventional and high dose targets of about 1.0 and 1.4 for eKt/V. Based on the blood side standard method, the mean +/- SD eKt/V for patients randomized to these targets was 1.14 +/- 0.11 and 1.52 +/- 0.15 (N = 19 and 16 patients, respectively). Single-pool Kt/Vs were about 0.2 Kt/V units higher. Results were similar when eKt/V was based on dialysate side measurements: 1.10 +/- 0.11 and 1.50 +/- 0.11. The approximations of eKt/V by the three blood side methods that eliminated the delayed 30-minute post-dialysis sample correlated well with eKt/V from the standard blood side method: r = 0.78 and 0.76 for the single-sample (Smye) and multiple-sample intradialysis methods (N = 295 and 229 sessions, respectively) and 0.85 for the rate method (N = 295). The median absolute difference between eKt/V computed using the standard blood side method and eKt/V from the four other methods ranged from 0.064 to 0.097, with the smallest difference (and hence best accuracy) for the rate method. The results suggest that, in a dialysis patient population selected for ability to achieve an equilibrated Kt/V of about 1.45 in less than a 4.5 hour period, use of the pre and postdialysis samples and a kinetically derived rate equation gives reasonably good prediction of equilibrated Kt/V. Addition of one or more intradialytic samples does not appear to increase accuracy of predicting the equilibrated Kt/V in the majority of patients. A method based on dialysate urea analysis and curve-fitting yields results for equilibrated Kt/V that are similar to those obtained using exclusively blood-based techniques of kinetic modeling.

Blood Urea Nitrogen

Optimizing the treatment of the dialysis patient: a painful lesson.

Our current understanding of how dialysis should be measured and optimized evolved from several painful lessons. The pain was felt by patients who were passive recipients of treatments that were often limited by the toxic effects of acetate, attempts to shorten treatment time, and adverse effects of the membranes. Pain was also felt by caregivers who were burdened by the complications of inadequate dialysis that required their efforts and vigilance. Early efforts to quantify dialysis by controlling the serum urea concentration were replaced by methods to control the dialyzer urea clearance expressed per dialysis and factored for the patient's size (Kt/V). This understanding resulted largely from data collected during US National Cooperative Dialysis Study in the late 1970s, but it took several years for the lesson to become a standard of practice. We continue to struggle with our understanding of uremic toxins and how best to remove them. The future promises to resolve the age-old question of toxicity and to give us a better perspective on the effects of protein catabolism, residual renal clearance, and both dialysis duration and frequency. Other factors yet to be explored may ultimately impact on the requirement for dialysis and allow better tailoring of treatment to individual needs.

Blood Urea Nitrogen

Implementing a continuous renal replacement therapies program.

Initiating and maintaining a continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) program presented more challenges than first anticipated; however, problems remained within the health care team's ability to solve. Here a multidisciplinary group reflects on what was done, should have been done, and remains to be done to offer effective CRRT at this university medical center. All participating members have come to realize that communication and collaboration are necessary to accomplish implementation of a complex program such as CRRT.

Academic Medical Centers

Quantifying hemodialysis.

The interpretation of traditional serum urea and creatinine concentrations as indices of the severity of uremia requires major modifications in hemodialyzed patients. Although high urea concentrations usually signify worsening uremia and inadequate dialysis, low concentrations do not guarantee a good outcome. Urea production as modified by diet and other factors must also be included in a complete description of dialysis quantity and adequacy. The expression 'Kt/V' is a measure of hemodialysis that includes both urea removal and urea generation and is easy to measure from predialysis and postdialysis serum urea concentrations. Kt/V can be most precisely measured with the aid of mathematical models of urea kinetics during and between hemodialyses. Although a reliable measure of the dialysis dose received by most patients, the single-compartment model overestimates serum urea concentrations during hemodialysis and fails to predict the rebound immediately following dialysis. The classic two-compartment model that includes a factor for resistance to diffusion between the compartments, more accurately predicts the BUN profile but fails to account for blood flow-related disequilibrium including cardiopulmonary recirculation. Since solute disequilibrium reduces the effectiveness of hemodialysis, models that incorporate equilibrated urea concentrations both before and after hemodialysis are potentially more accurate tools for quantifying dialysis. Dialysate methods have the potential to accurately measure both solute removal which is the ultimate goal of dialysis, and patient clearance which is considered a better measure of the dialysis effect than dialyzer clearance. Application of these newer techniques requires major changes in sampling methods and changes in analytical equipment that will delay implementation. Meanwhile, analysis of blood-side urea concentrations using the single-compartment, variable volume model provides a reasonable estimate of Kt/V but must be interpreted with due consideration of its well-recognized pitfalls.

Humans

Multicenter clinical validation of an on-line monitor of dialysis adequacy.

Quantitation of hemodialysis by measuring changes in blood solute concentration requires careful timing when taking the postdialysis blood sample to avoid errors from postdialysis rebound and from recirculation of blood through the access device. It also requires complex mathematical interpretation to account for solute disequilibrium in the patient. To circumvent these problems, hemodialysis can be quantified and its adequacy assessed by direct measurement of the urea removed in the dialysate. Because total dialysate collection is impractical, an automated method was developed for measuring dialysate urea-nitrogen concentrations at frequent intervals during treatment. A multicenter clinical trial of the dialysate monitoring device, the Biostat 1000 (Baxter Healthcare Corporation, McGaw Park, IL) was conducted to validate the measurements of urea removed, the delivered dialysis dose (Kt/V), and net protein catabolism (PCR). The results were compared with a total dialysate collection in each patient. During 29 dialyses in 29 patients from three centers, the paired analysis of urea removed, as estimated by the dialysate monitor compared with the total dialysate collection, showed no significant difference (14.7 +/- 4.7 g versus 14.8 +/- 5.1 g). Similarly, measurements of Kt/V and PCR showed no significant difference (1.30 +/- 0.18 versus 1.28 +/- 0.19, respectively, for Kt/V and 42.3 +/- 15.7 g/day versus 52.2 +/- 17.4 g/day for PCR). When blood-side measurements during the same dialyses were analyzed with a single-compartment, variable-volume model of urea kinetics, Kt/V was consistently overestimated (1.49 +/- 0.29/dialysis, P < 0.001), most likely because of failure to consider urea disequilibrium. Because urea disequilibrium is difficult to quantitate during each treatment, dialysate measurements have obvious advantages. The dialysate monitor eliminated errors from dialysate bacterial contamination, simplified dialysate measurements, and proved to be a reliable method for quantifying and assuring dialysis adequacy.

Cross-Sectional Studies

Equations for normalized protein catabolic rate based on two-point modeling of hemodialysis urea kinetics.

The normalized protein catabolic rate (PCRn) can be calculated from predialysis and postdialysis BUN measurements in patients receiving intermittent dialysis. This measure of net protein catabolism, adjusted for body size, is a useful clinical measure of nutrition that correlates with patient outcome and, in patients who are in nitrogen balance, is a reasonable estimate of dietary protein intake. Whereas simplified formulae that estimate the per-treatment dose of hemodialysis, expressed as Kt/Vurea (Kt/V), are in common use, simplified methods for determining PCRn have only recently appeared. In the study presented here, equations were derived for calculating PCRn from the predialysis BUN and Kt/V. The equations were of the general form: PCRn = C0/(a + bKt/V + c/(Kt/NLL)) + 0.168, where Co is the predialysis BUN in mg/dL. Three sets of coefficients were developed for patients dialyzed thrice weekly: one for patients dialyzed after the long interval at the beginning of the week, one for patients dialyzed at midweek, and the third for patients dialyzed at the end of the week. Two similar sets of coefficients were developed for patients dialyzed twice weekly. For patients with remaining function in the native kidney remnant, equations were developed and refined for upgrading PCRn by adjusting C0 upward. The equations were validated by comparing the calculated PCRn with PCRn determined by a formal iterative model of urea kinetics in a series of 119 dialyses in 51 patients dialyzed thrice weekly (r = 0.9952; mean absolute error, 1.97 +/- 1.39%) and in a series of 71 dialyses in 25 patients dialyzed twice weekly (r = 0.9956; mean absolute error, 2.17 +/- 1.56%). These simple yet accurate equations should be useful in epidemiologic studies or in clinical laboratories where limited data are available for each patient or when iterative computer techniques cannot be applied.

Algorithms

Mechanisms of hypoalbuminemia in hemodialysis patients.

Hypoalbuminemia is the most powerful predictor of mortality in end-stage renal disease. Since protein-calorie malnutrition can decrease albumin synthesis it is assumed that hypoalbuminemia results principally from malnutrition in these patients, but albumin synthesis may also be decreased as part of the acute-phase response, and hypoalbuminemia can also result from redistribution of albumin pools or from albumin losses. We measured albumin synthesis, fractional catabolic rate, and distribution from the turnover of [125I] human albumin in six hemodialysis patients with plasma albumin less than 35 mg/ml and in six patients with plasma albumin greater than 40 mg/ml. Patients with liver disease, HIV, or other infection were excluded. Both groups were maintained with high-flux polysulfone dialyzers for more than three months. Kt/Vurea and PCR were measured during each dialysis (N = 12 to 18/patient). A four-day calorie and protein intake was determined by dietary history and long-term nutritional status was determined anthropometrically. Measured variables included serum urea, creatinine, transferrin, and the positive acute-phase proteins alpha 2- macroglobulin, C-reactive protein, ferritin, and IGF-1. Albumin synthesis was significantly reduced in the low albumin group. There were no differences in dietary intake, body composition, PCR, BUN, creatinine, or Kt/Vurea. Plasma albumin concentration correlated negatively with ferritin, C-reactive protein and alpha 2-macroglobulin. Albumin synthesis rate correlated negatively with both alpha 2-macroglobulin and Kt/Vurea. Both plasma albumin concentration and synthesis rate correlated positively with IGF-1, and both were independent of PCR and all other nutrition-related variables.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute-Phase Proteins

A nomogram approach to hemodialysis urea modeling.

Two sets of nomograms were developed for modeling hemodialysis urea kinetics. The first set is designed to arrive at an initial dialysis prescription. One nomogram estimates the mass transfer area coefficient (KoA) based on urea clearances of a dialyzer, based on urea clearances provided in the manufacturer's product literature. A second nomogram uses the dialyzer KoA value to estimate the expected in vivo urea clearance (K) based on the nominal blood flow rate. The computations include corrections for blood flow-related errors in urea clearance, blood water content, and cardiopulmonary recirculation. Mean urea clearance measured in a series of patients was 226 +/- 22 mL/min and did not differ significantly from mean clearance estimated using this nomogram (232 +/- 8 mL/min). Another pair of nomograms, based on an anthropometric formula, can be used to estimate urea distribution volume (V) from patient sex, height, and weight. The first set of nomograms is designed to estimate an initial dialysis prescription because the nomograms propose an estimated K and an estimated V. Once the target Kt/V is chosen, the appropriate initial treatment time (t) is computed algebraically. The second set of nomograms was developed to verify delivery of the dialysis prescription and to estimate the normalized protein catabolic rate (PCRn). Kt/V is estimated from the postdialysis to predialysis blood urea nitrogen ratio and the ratio of ultrafiltrate volume to postdialysis weight (UF/W). The PCRn is estimated from the predialysis blood urea nitrogen and Kt/V. In a series of 115 patients, Kt/V and PCRn determined from the nomograms correlated highly with corresponding values determined from formal urea modeling (r = 0.99).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Female