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The safety and cost-effectiveness of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution bowel preparation in infants and children.

Golytely, a polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution (Braintree Laboratories, Braintree, MA), was evaluated in the preoperative bowel preparation of 21 infants and children. Weight, temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and electrolyte concentrations were documented before and after mechanical bowel preparation. All children were given 25 mL/kg/h of Golytely until rectal effluent was clear and free of particulate matter. All preparations were started and completed the afternoon prior to surgery. Weight, vital signs, and electrolyte concentrations did not change significantly. All preparations were felt to be fair or excellent. Follow-up for 1 month postoperatively revealed no infectious complications. Golytely is safe and effective in preparing the bowel prior to surgery in children. Using Golytely can eliminate the need for multiple-day hospitalizations for bowel preparation and thus decrease the cost of medical care.

Age Factors↗

Peritoneal kinetics and mesothelial markers in CCPD using icodextrin for daytime dwell for two years.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and biocompatibility of icodextrin (Ico), continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) patients were treated for 2 years with either Ico- or glucose (Glu)-containing dialysis fluid for their daytime dwell (14 - 15 hours). Prior to entry into the study, all patients used standard Glu solutions (Dianeal, Baxter BV, Utrecht,The Netherlands). DESIGN: Open, randomized, prospective two-center study. SETTING: University hospital and teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Both established patients and patients new to CCPD were included. A life expectancy of more than 2 years, a stable clinical condition, and written informed consent were necessary before entry. Patients aged under 18 years or with peritonitis in the previous month, and women of childbearing potential unless taking adequate contraceptive precautions, were excluded. Thirty-eight patients entered the study (19 Glu, 19 Ico). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Daytime dwell peritoneal effluents were collected every 3 months in combination with other study variables (clinical data, laboratory measurements, dialysis-related data, and urine collection). Peritoneal transport studies were carried out every 6 months. RESULTS: In Glu- and Ico-treated patients, peritoneal transport of low molecular weight solutes and protein clearances neither changed during follow-up nor differed between the two groups. Peritoneal membrane markers (CA125, interleukin-8, carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen, and aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen) measured in effluents did not differ between the groups and did not change over time. All these markers showed a dialysate/plasma ratio of more than 1, suggesting local production. Residual renal function remained stable during follow-up and adverse clinical effects were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal membrane transport kinetics and markers remained stable in both groups over a 2-year follow-up period. Membrane markers were higher in effluents than in serum, suggesting local production. No clinical side effects were demonstrated. Icodextrin was a well-tolerated effective treatment.

Adult↗

Improvement of preservation with cardioplegic solution by nitroglycerin-induced delayed preconditioning is mediated by calcitonin gene-related peptide.

Improvement of preservation with cardioplegic solution by nitroglycerin-induced delayed preconditioning was studied in the isolated rat heart. The isolated rat heart was arrested using St. Thomas Hospital solution, and then reperfused with normothermic Krebs-Henseleit solution for 40 min after a 4-h hypothermic ischemic period. Heart rate, coronary flow, left ventricular pressure and the maximum value of the first derivatives of left ventricular pressure (+/-dp/dt(max)) were recorded, and plasma concentrations of CGRP-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI) and nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in myocardial tissues, and creatine kinase in coronary effluent were measured. Delayed preconditioning was induced by i.v. injection of nitroglycerin 24 h before the experiment. Nitroglycerin (60 microg/kg or 120 microg/kg) caused an improvement of cardiac function, a decrease in the release of creatine kinase in coronary effluent and a decrease in the content of TNF-alpha in myocardial tissues. Nitroglycerin significantly increased plasma concentrations of CGRP and NO. After pretreatment with capsaicin, which depletes neurotransmitters in sensory nerves, or methylene blue, a selective guanylate cyclase inhibitor, the protection and the elevated release of CGRP induced by nitroglycerin were abolished. The present study suggests that improvement of preservation with cardioplegic solution by nitroglycerin-induced delayed preconditioning is due to stimulation of CGRP release in the rat heart, and that the protection of CGRP-mediated nitroglycerin is related to inhibition of TNF-alpha production.

Animals↗

Major extended hepatic resections in diseased livers using hypothermic protection: preliminary results from the first 12 patients treated with this new technique.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic vascular exclusion allows the performance of major hepatic resections with minimal intraoperative blood loss. We have previously shown that normothermic ischemia can be tolerated by a healthy liver for up to 90 minutes, and this period is increased to 4 hours if the liver is cooled to 4 degrees C using University of Wisconsin solution. STUDY DESIGN: This study assessed whether these techniques could be successfully applied for patients requiring resection of a diseased liver, which is more sensitive to ischemic damage. Between July 1990 and May 1994, 12 patients (6 men, 6 women; mean age, 57.8 years) in whom the planned hepatic resection was believed to require hepatic vascular exclusion for more than 1 hour were treated with perfusion with the University of Wisconsin solution. The surgical procedures were right hepatectomy (one patient), extended right hepatectomy (seven patients), and extended left hepatectomy (four patients). The underlying hepatic disease was cirrhosis or severe fibrosis with hepatocellular carcinoma (four patients), cholestasis (due to cholangiocarcinoma and biliary stricture, one patient each), and more than 30 percent steatosis after treatment of hepatic metastases with chemotherapy (six patients). The University of Wisconsin solution that had been cooled to 4 degrees C was perfused through a cannula placed in the portal vein or the hepatic arterial branch of the segment to be resected, but with flow directed toward the liver that should be retained and effluent fluid drained through a cavotomy. Before reperfusion, the liver was rinsed with Ringer's lactate solution, which was also 4 degrees C. RESULTS: The mean duration of hepatic ischemia was 121 minutes (range, 65 to 250 minutes), and venovenous bypass was used in three cases. The mean amount of blood transfused intraoperatively was 4.3 +/- 4 U; four cases required no transfusion. One patient died on postoperative day seven of portal vein thrombosis. The median hospital stay was 21 days (range, 12 to 56 days). Postoperative complications consisted of pneumonia (one patient), liver insufficiency (one patient, who recovered spontaneously), and subphrenic abscess (one patient). The postoperative tests of hepatic function were altered to the same degree as that seen after hepatic vascular exclusion of less than 1-hour duration in healthy livers. All patients who left the hospital were alive at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Cooling of the hepatic parenchyma allowed us to perform major hepatic resection in patients with diseased livers using hepatic vascular exclusion for longer than 1 hour without increased morbidity or mortality. However, because of particular difficulties due to the size or location of the lesions, the application of these new techniques should only be considered for the largest and most complex hepatic resections for which hepatic vascular exclusions longer than 1 hour are foreseen.

Adenosine↗

Cytokine removal during continuous renal replacement therapy: an ex vivo comparison of convection and diffusion.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is unknown whether cytokine adsorption to the membrane during continuous renal replacement therapy is affected by the technique. Such knowledge might affect the choice of technique in vivo. Accordingly, we conducted an ex vivo study to test whether continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) or continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD) affect cytokine adsorption differently. SETTING: Laboratory attached to the Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary hospital. DESIGN: Six healthy human volunteers donated blood, which was incubated with endotoxin. Control blood was left at room temperature, and treatment blood was recirculated for eight hours through closed circuits using polyacrylonitrile membranes (AN69). The effect of CVVH and CVVHD on cytokine removal from the circuits was compared. MEASUREMENTS: The concentrations of interleukins (IL)-1beta, 6, 8, 10 and TNF were measured in the control samples, pre-and post-filter and in the effluent at baseline and hourly thereafter. The clearances by adsorption, and filtration were calculated. RESULTS: Control cytokine concentrations remained the same or increased slightly. Adsorption was the major mechanism of removal for all cytokines with the exception of IL-1beta, but the effect was short-lived. Peak adsorption generally occurred at baseline before the start of CVVH and CVVHD, with clearances ranging from 43.7 ml/min (for IL-8) to 7.6 ml/min (for IL-10). The time-weighted average total clearances during CVVH were 23.3, 4.3, 3.8, -2.0, and 15 ml/min for IL-8, IL-1beta, TNF, IL-6, and IL-10 respectively. The corresponding clearances during CVVHD were 19.0, 10.7, 2.7, 2.4, and 0.3 ml/min. IL-10 clearances were greater during CVVH than CVVHD (p=0.03). Non adsorptive CVVH clearance of IL-1beta was greater than CVVHD clearance, but this advantage was outweighed by an increased tendency of the membrane to release IL-1beta into the circuit during HF. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of solute removal had only a minor effect on the magnitude of cytokine adsorption, and neither technique had the advantage for all the measured cytokines.

Adsorption↗

A comparative analysis of the loss of amiodarone from small and large volume PVC and non-PVC infusion systems.

The time-course of the adsorption of amiodarone hydrochloride onto flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) infusion bags and administration sets has been studied under ambient conditions similar to the intensive and coronary care units at the Repatriation General Hospital--Daw Park. When admixtures containing 900-1000 mg amiodarone hydrochloride in 500 ml PVC infusion bags containing glucose 5% were assayed, a minimal (2.7%) loss of amiodarone was detected at 24 hours compared with glass infusion bottles. There was no loss apparent when 100 ml PVC infusion bags were used compared with 100 ml glass bottles. When PVC administration sets were attached to 500 ml glass infusion bottles, maximal adsorption losses of up to 4.9% were observed in the effluent within one hour of the commencement of the simulated infusion. In Australia, the current recommendations by the distributor of amiodarone, Reckitt & Colman Pharmaceuticals, advise that the administration of amiodarone should be via glass infusion bottles or rigid PVC plastic containers without plasticisers together with non-PVC administration lines. These results do not support this recommendation.

Adsorption↗

Evaluation of vitrectomy machines as a source of false-positive culture contamination in endophthalmitis.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine whether a venturi-aspiration vitrectomy machine could contaminate a vitrectomy culture. METHODS: Ninety vitrectomies were simulated in a hospital operating room and were cultured with standard techniques. An additional 90 control specimens were cultured in the exact same manner, but the vitrectomy machine was not used. Instead, the control specimens were placed directly into a sterile vitrectomy cassette. Contamination rates in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Contamination occurred in four of 90 vitrectomy-simulation cultures and in three of 90 control cultures. This difference in contamination rate was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Although the result of a culture of the vitrectomy effluent can be false-positive, the source of contamination is not likely to be the vitrectomy machine.

Bacteria↗

Residual renal function affects lipid profile in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether lipoprotein abnormalities associated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) are influenced by residual renal function (RRF). DESIGN: Open, nonrandomized prospective and comparative study. SETTING: Single university teaching hospital dialysis unit and outpatient clinic. PATIENTS: Twenty adult patients on standard CAPD (1-38 months) were divided into two groups: group A (RRF < or = 0.8 mL/min, n = 10) and group B (RRF > or = 1.1 mL/ min, n = 10), Patients in the two groups were matched for age, time on dialysis, body weight, body mass index, serum urea and albumin levels, peritoneal and urinary albumin losses, and peritoneal transport characteristics such as overnight 8-hour peritoneal creatinine and beta 2-microglobulin clearances and overnight B-hour effluent glucose concentrations. RESULTS: The degree of uremia in patients with preserved RRF (group B) was obviously lower than in patients with negligible RRF (group A), that is, patients in group B had significantly lower serum creatinine and beta 2-microglobulin levels and significantly higher weekly KT/V than group A patients. Despite the prevalence of allele 4 of apolipoprotein E genotype in group A patients, their levels of serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], apolipoprotein B(ApoB), and apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) were significantly lower than those of patients with preserved RRF (group B). The two groups did not differ significantly in the serum levels of triglyceride or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Serum concentrations of Lp(a) and ApoA1, as well as ratios of ApoA1 to ApoB, were correlated significantly with RRF (r = 0.63, r = 0.51, and r = 0.61, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that RRF affects the lipid profile of CAPD patients, especially serum levels of cholesterol-rich lipoproteins.

Adult↗

Early catheter removal following transurethral prostatectomy: overnight catheterization.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine the safety and feasibility of catheter removal on the first morning after transurethral prostatectomy. METHODS: Fifty-four patients who underwent transurethral prostatectomy were included in a prospective study. The decision to remove the catheters on the first morning after surgery was based on the color of the catheter effluent, absence of clots, normal vital signs and adequate urine output. Patients who voided successfully were discharged on the same day as catheter removal. RESULTS: Catheters were removed in 43 (79.6%) patients on postoperative day 1. Of these patients 40 (93%) voided successfully, however 3 of them required recatheterization due to bleeding or urinary retention. The criteria for catheter removal were not met in 11 patients and their catheters were removed on postoperative day 2 in 2 and on postoperative day 3 in 9. The mean length of hospital stay after surgery was 1.74 days for the entire group and 1.41 days for those in whom the catheter was removed on postoperative day 1. CONCLUSION: Overnight catheterization after transurethral prostatectomy seems to be a feasible approach without leading to significant morbidity in selected patients.

Aged↗

Severe peritoneal mononucleosis associated with icodextrin use in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Icodextrin is a glucose polymer obtained from starch hydrolysis. It is used as an osmotic agent at 7.5% for peritoneal dialysis (PD). Its use in PD has been associated with several side effects separate from the one reported here, the most frequent being sterile peritonitis. Recently, three mechanisms have been proposed to explain the occurrence of sterile peritonitis: allergy to dextrin, production of anti-dextran antibodies, and impurities introduced during manufacture. Here, we report a peritoneal mononucleosis outbreak that is highly suggestive of being a consequence of the last-mentioned mechanism. During the period December 2001 to May 2002, a group of 8 Spanish hospitals whose individual PD programs regularly share information and activity reported 29 cases of sterile peritonitis associated with icodextrin use in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients [mean age: 60.7 +/- 14.47 years; 8 women (27.59%), 21 men (72.41%); mean time on PD: 25.21 +/- 35.31 months; mean time on icodextrin: 15.17 +/- 11.03 months]. Of the 29 patients, 51.8% showed no symptoms. The remainder presented with mild abdominal discomfort and anorexia. Only 2 patients showed general malaise, severe nausea, fever, and abdominal pain. The initial white cell count in peritoneal effluent was 512 +/- 386 cells/mL (45.0% +/- 28% neutrophils, 44.92% +/- 32.6% mono-nuclear cells, 7.75% +/- 12% eosinophils). In 5 of the patients, we performed an immunophenotype (CD14) study, demonstrating the monocyte nature of 60%-80% (mean: 70.6%) of the cells. Microbiology cultures were always negative. A rechallenge with the same batches of PD fluid was tried. In 100% of the patients, the clinical and cellular patterns relapsed. No short-term changes in peritoneal function have been observed. The manufacturer informed us that the icodextrin was contaminated with a peptidoglycan. In this sterile peritonitis outbreak with a simultaneous, similar clinical presentation in a group of patients treated with icodextrin solution (presumably contaminated with peptidoglycan), clinical outcome was, for the most part, mild-to-moderate. Symptoms disappeared immediately after icodextrin withdrawal and relapsed after rechallenge with the relevant fluid batches. Monocyte cell counts predominated during the episode. Although we cannot rule out an allergic cause, the massive peritoneal mononuclear cell recruitment suggests a particular mechanism. This is a new mechanism for peritoneal cell recruitment in PD.

Adult↗

An outbreak of Serratia marcescens traced to a contaminated bronchoscope.

An outbreak of colonization and infection with Serratia marcescens in a surgical Intensive Care Unit is described. A case-control study pointed to a bronchoscope as the source of the epidemic strain, and cultures of washing effluent of the incriminated bronchoscope yielded S. marcescens. Discontinuation of the use of the instrument and the implementation of recommendations for future use of bronchoscopes ended the outbreak.

Adolescent↗

Human recombinant extracellular-superoxide dismutase type C improves cardioplegic protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury in isolated rat heart.

The cardioprotective effects of human recombinant extracellular-superoxide dismutase type C (hr-EC-SOD C) were compared with those of bovine Cu,Zn-SOD in isolated working rat heart subjected to 35-min global normothermic ischemia followed by 55-min reperfusion. hr-EC-SOD C or bovine Cu,Zn-SOD (3 x 10(4) and 6 x 10(4) IU/L, respectively) was added to St. Thomas' Hospital (STH) cardioplegic solution infused 5 min before and 10 min after the ischemic period. Control hearts were treated with STH cardioplegic solution without SOD. By the end of reperfusion, hr-EC-SOD C-treated hearts recovered left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), aortic flow (AF) and cardiac output (CO) to 95 +/- 4, 60 +/- 4, 69 +/- 6% of preischemic value, respectively, as compared with 86 +/- 3, 44 +/- 5, and 52 +/- 6% in the control (p < 0.05). Cardioplegia with hr-EC-SOD C significantly reduced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release into myocardial effluent during reperfusion (p < 0.05) and increased ATP, AMP, and total creatine (Cr) tissue contents in reperfused hearts (by 21 +/- 3, 42 +/- 4, and 34 +/- 3%, respectively, as compared with control hearts, p < 0.05). The effects of bovine SOD on functional and biochemical indexes were similar but not statistically significant as compared with control. Treatment with hr-EC-SOD C, but not with bovine SOD, resulted in reduction in hydroxyl radical formation assessed by 5-5-dimethy-1-pyrroline-N-oxide spin trap (DMPO) in coronary effluent at early reperfusion with electron spin resonance (ESR) technique. The results suggest that enhanced myocardial protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury afforded by hr-EC-SOD C is related to scavenging of oxygen-derived free radicals.

Animals↗

Graft protein C entrapment is associated with reduced phagocyte activation during reperfusion in human liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential anti-inflammatory role of protein C pathway in ischemia-reperfusion injury during liver transplantation. DESIGN: Prospective, observational clinical study. SETTING: Tertiary teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty adult patients undergoing liver transplantation for acute liver failure or chronic liver disease. INTERVENTIONS: To assess changes occurring across the transplanted liver, samples of blood entering and leaving the graft were obtained simultaneously from portal and hepatic veins. Plasma protein C and activated protein C levels, neutrophil and monocyte CD11b and L-selectin expression, and leukocyte differential counts were measured. Postoperative liver function and outcome of transplantation were recorded. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: During reperfusion, protein C became entrapped within the graft (portal vein 49% [20-96%]; graft caval effluent 25% [12-76%], p < .001), without concomitant activated protein C outflow from the graft. Simultaneously, marked neutrophil and monocyte activation occurred within the graft. Enhanced hepatic protein C entrapment was associated with reduced neutrophil and monocyte activation (R = .377, p = .011; R = .389, p = .008, respectively) during reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Protein C entrapment occurs immediately during reperfusion in the graft without concomitant activated protein C release, suggesting a shortage of activated protein C in the reperfused graft. The ongoing inflammatory response during reperfusion may lead to protein C and activated protein C utilization within the graft. Indeed, hepatic protein C entrapment is associated with reduced hepatic phagocyte activation, suggesting a regulatory role for protein C pathway in hepatic reperfusion in human liver transplantation.

Adult↗

Recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-1 induces an anabolic response in malnourished CAPD patients.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is an anabolic hormone that mediates most of the growth effects of growth hormone. This study tested the hypothesis that recombinant human IGF-1 (rhIGF-1) will induce an anabolic response in malnourished patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). METHODS: Six CAPD patients with protein-energy malnutrition underwent nitrogen balance studies in a clinical research center for 35 days each. Throughout the study, patients were maintained on their same CAPD regimen prior to hospitalization, and were fed a constant protein and energy intake that was similar to their diet prior to hospitalization. The first 15 hospital days were a baseline period; during the subsequent 20-day period, patients were given subcutaneous injections of rhIGF-1 (100 microg/kg/12 h), except for one patient who received 50 microg/kg/12 h for the first five days, followed by 100 microg/kg/12 h for the following 15 days. RESULTS: During the treatment with rhIGF-1, serum IGF-1 increased by about 100% (P = 0.03), and nitrogen balance became strongly positive (+2.0 g/day, P = 0.015 vs. baseline). This anabolic effect was observed within hours after commencing the rhIGF-1 treatment and was largely caused by a 20% decrease in peritoneal dialysate effluent nitrogen. There was a proportionate reduction in urine nitrogen and serum urea nitrogen. This decrease in nitrogen output was sustained during the entire 20 day of treatment with rhIGF-1. Serum phosphorus decreased significantly during the first several days of rhIGF-1 treatment, whereas serum calcium increased significantly during the rhIGF-1 treatment. Serum potassium and albumin did not change during the rhIGF-1 injections. There was no change in body weight and body composition, as assessed by anthropometry during the baseline or treatment phases of the study. Some patients exhibited minor possible adverse events that included a reduction in blood pressure and transient tachycardia. CONCLUSION: Injections of rhIGF-1 induce a strong and sustained anabolic effect, as indicated by a positive nitrogen balance in CAPD patients with protein-energy malnutrition. rhIGF-1 administration may be an effective method for treating malnutrition in maintenance dialysis patients.

Adult↗

Dilutional diarrhoea: under-diagnosed and over-investigated.

We report two cases of factitious diarrhoea caused by stool dilution. In the first report stools from a patient with chronic diarrhoea were found to have been diluted with urine, and the diarrhoea further compounded by surreptitious laxative misuse. In the second report, after prolonged investigation of high output ileostomy, the patient's ileal effluent was found to have been diluted with water. We conclude that factitious diarrhoea, in particular dilutional diarrhoea, is over-investigated and underdiagnosed. Stool weights, complete input/output measurement, analysis of stool osmolality and electrolytes, and laxative screening are essential in the investigation of chronic watery diarrhoea.

Cathartics↗

Minimizing the drainage period for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine features of drainage flow and to determine whether the drainage period could be safely reduced in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. DESIGN: Open nonrandomized prospective study in CAPD patients. SETTING: The kidney center in a tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS: Fourteen CAPD patients with good catheter function. INTERVENTIONS: Drainage flow pattern was studied using a 2-L dialysate. The drainage period was reduced from 28 minutes (mean) to 10 minutes throughout a short-term, 2-month study period and a long-term, 6-month study period for 10 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ultrafiltration volume, body weight, and peritoneal clearance. RESULTS: A kinetics analysis of the drainage period and volume indicated a positive linear correlation with two different slopes: one for rapid drainage for the first 5-7 minutes and one for subsequent slow drainage. The effluent exceeded 80% in the former period. Ultrafiltration volume and body weight showed no change due to the reduction. Improved peritoneal clearance of small molecular substances could not be confirmed despite a 5% increase in the effective dialysis period. Nearly all patients were satisfied with the reduction and desired its continuation. CONCLUSIONS: Ten minutes is a sufficient drainage period for most CAPD patients with a 2-L dialysate volume. This may possibly allow an increase in daily activities and an effective peritoneal membrane dialysate contact period.

Adult↗

Disposable humidifiers in a recovery room--a microbiological evaluation.

Humidification, unlike nebulization, does not produce water droplets in the process of producing desiccated gases, and therefore is considered low risk in terms of potential infection sources. However, direct inoculation of bacteria into these units has been shown to produce contaminated effluents. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine if the airborne route of contamination was a potential source of bacterial inoculum for these units and to determine the maximum number of days units remained free of bacterial contamination. Disposable humidifiers were placed in both high and low volume patient areas of the recovery room. Units were used on multiple patients with only the cannula replaced between patients. Our results showed that these units do have the potential for becoming inoculated through the airborne route, but did not produce contaminated effluents greater than background air. Units remained sterile during the entire time in use in both high and low volume areas. In conclusion, our data suggests that each institution should evaluate the usage of disposable humidifiers based on patient parameters and environment rather than manufacturer's guidelines.

Air Microbiology↗

Tidal peritoneal dialysis: preliminary experience.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of home tidal peritoneal dialysis (TPD) and to assess whether eight hours of TPD can achieve uremia control and urea removal equal to that of continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD). DESIGN: An open enrollment pilot study. SETTING: The Home Dialysis Training Center of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, a tertiary care teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Nine patients experienced with CCPD and living 80 km to 280 km from the dialysis center began TPD, because they wished to decrease their dialysis time. INTERVENTIONS: Following baseline measurements, each patient was taught to perform TPD. TPD consisted of an initial fill volume of 40 mL/kg, a residual volume approximately 20 mL/kg, and tidal exchanges of 10 to 20 mL/kg to achieve the desired hourly flow rate. Clinic assessments took place every four to six weeks, and prescriptions were subsequently altered to attain urea removal equal to that of CCPD. MEASUREMENTS: Patient interviews were used to determine TPD acceptance. Prior to each clinic visit, dialysate effluent volume and dialysis duration were recorded, and a sterile sample of the effluent was obtained for urea, creatinine, and total nitrogen measurement. RESULTS: Urea and creatinine clearances increased with dialysate flow. Dialysate nonurea nitrogen was 3.0 +/- 0.2 mmol/kg/D and changed minimally with increasing dialysate volumes. Eight hours of TPD (initial fill: 40 mL/kg; residual volume: 20 mL/kg; tidal inflow: 20 mL/kg) with hourly tidal flow exceeding 40 mL/kg/hr and no daytime volume achieved urea removal equal to that of the patient's prior CCPD prescription. CONCLUSION: TPD can provide dialysis equal to that of CCPD within a shorter amount of time (eight vs ten hours), but uses a greater volume of dialysate (16.0 L for TPD vs 9.5 L for CCPD).

Adolescent↗