Juan Carlos Ayus

IntroductionDaily hemodialysis (DHD) compared to conventional hemodialysis (CHD) leads to improvements in left ventricular hypertrophy and mineral metabolism at 1-year follow-up. However, there is no information from prospective studies on the long terms effects of DHD on these key cardiovascular risk factors. MethodsWe conducted a 4 year, prospective cohort study of 26 DHD and 51 matched CHD patients on the effect of DHD (six sessions/week x 3 h) versus CHD (three sessions/week x 4 h), 15 DHD, and 26 CHD patients completed 4-years follow-up. Measures of left ventricular mass index (LVMI), blood pressures, hemoglobin, and mineral metabolism markers were performed. ResultsSystolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower in the DHD group than the CHD group at 4-year follow-up, 128 mmHg (95% CI, 111-143) versus 148 mmHg (95% CI, 137-158) (p < 0.05) and 60 mmHg (95% CI, 56-63) versus 71 mmHg (95% CI, 64-76) (p < 0.05). DHD was associated with fewer patients taking any anti-hypertensive drug therapy than CHD, 50% versus 80% (p < 0.05). DHD was associated with improved attainment of mineral metabolism goals for phosphorus (adjusted HR 3.6, p = 0.002) and calcium x phosphorus product (adjusted HR 3.66, p = 0.001) at 4-years follow-up compared to CHD. At 4 years, there was a nonsignificant trend toward lower LVMI in the DHD than in the CHD group: 116 g/m(2) (95% CI, 97-136) versus 138 g/m(2) (95% CI, 115-172) (p = 0.23). Similarly, improvements in hemoglobin also persisted at 4 years follow-up. ConclusionDHD is associated with long-term (4 year) improvements in key cardiovascular risk factors: blood pressure, mineral metabolism, and anemia with trends toward improved LVMI.

Juan C Ayus, Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, Ekamol Tantisattamo, Connie M Rhee, Armando Luis Negri; Is hyponatremia a novel marker of inflammation in patients with COVI

Three-percent sodium chloride (3% NaCl) is a hyperosmolar agent used to treat hyponatremic encephalopathy or other cases of increased intracranial pressure. A barrier to the use of 3% NaCl is the perceived risk of local infusion reactions when administered through a peripheral vein. We sought to evaluate reports of local infusion reactions associated with 3% NaCl over a 10-year period throughout a large healthcare system. A query was conducted through the Risk Master database to determine if there were any local infusion reactions associated with peripheral 3% NaCl administration throughout the entire UPMC health system, which consists of 40 hospitals with 8400 licensed beds, over a 10-year time period from 14 May 2010 to 14 May 2020. Search terms included infiltrations, extravasations, phlebitis, IV site issues, and IV solutions. There were 23,714 non-chemotherapeutic and non-contrast-associated intravenous events, of which 4678 (19.7%) were at UPMC Children’s Hospital. A total of 2306 patients received 3% NaCl, of whom 836 (35.8%) were at UPMC Children’s Hospital. There were no reported local infusion reactions with 3% NaCl. There were no reported local infusion reaction events associated with 3% NaCl in a large healthcare system over a 10-year period. This suggests that 3% NaCl can be safely administered through a peripheral IV or central venous catheter.

Three percent sodium chloride (3% NaCl) is the treatment of choice for symptomatic hyponatremia. A barrier to the use of 3% NaCl is the perceived risk of both local infusion reactions and neurologic complications from overcorrection. We examine whether children’s hospital pharmacies have policies or practice guidelines for the administration of 3% NaCl and whether these pharmacies have restrictions on the administration of 3% NaCl in terms of rate, route, volume and setting. An Internet survey was distributed to the pharmacy directors of 43 children’s hospitals participating in the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA) network. The response rate was 65% (28/43). Ninety-three percent (26/28) of pharmacy directors reported a restriction for the administration of 3% NaCl, with 57% restricting its use through a peripheral vein or in a non-intensive care unit setting, 68% restricting the rate of administration and 54% restricting the volume of administration. Seventy-one percent (20/28) reported having written policy or practice guidelines. Only 32% of hospital pharmacies allowed 3% NaCl to be administered through a peripheral IV in a non-intensive care unit setting. The majority of children’s hospital pharmacies have restrictions on the administration of 3% NaCl. These restrictions could prevent the timely administration of 3% NaCl in children with symptomatic hyponatremia.

Background: Systemic inflammation has been associated with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease and mortality. Hyponatremia can result from inflammation due to non-osmotic stimuli for vasopressin production.Methods: We prospectively studied 799 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 7 and November 7, 2020, at Hospital Posadas in Buenos Aires, Argentina in order to evaluate the association between hyponatremia, inflammation, and its impact on clinical outcomes. Admission biochemistries, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), ferritin, patient demographics, and outcome data were recorded. Outcomes (within 30 days after symptoms) evaluated included ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, dialysis-requiring acute kidney injury (AKI), and in-hospital mortality. Length of hospital stay (in days) were evaluated using comprehensive data from the EHR.Results: Hyponatremia (median Na = 133 mmol/L) was present on admission in 366 (45.8%). Hyponatremic patients had higher hsCRP (median 10.3 [IR 4.8–18.4] mg/dl vs. 6.6 [IR 1.6–14.0] mg/dl, p < 0.01) and ferritin levels (median 649 [IQR 492–1,168] ng/dl vs. 393 [IQR 156–1,440] ng/dl, p = 0.02) than normonatremic patients. Hyponatremia was associated with higher odds of an abnormal hsCRP (unadjusted OR 5.03, 95%CI: 2.52–10.03), and remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders (adjusted OR 4.70 [95%CI: 2.33–9.49], p < 0.01). Hyponatremic patients had increased mortality on unadjusted (HR 3.05, 95%CI: 2.14–4.34) and adjusted (HR 2.76, 95%CI:1.88–4.06) in Cox proportional hazard models. Crude 30-day survival was lower for patients with hyponatremia at admission (mean [SD] survival 22.1 [0.70] days) compared with patients who were normonatremic (mean [SD] survival 27.2 [0.40] days, p < 0.01).Conclusion: Mild hyponatremia on admission is common, is associated with systemic inflammation and is an independent risk factor for hospital mortality.Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04493268.