The link between vascular calcification (VC) and increased mortality is now well established. Over time, as clinical importance of this phenomenon has begun to be fully considered, scientists have highlighted more and more physiopathological mechanisms and signaling pathways that underlie VC. Several conditions such as diabetes, dyslipidemia and renal diseases are undoubtedly identified as predisposing factors. But even if the process is better understood, many questions still remain unanswered. This review briefly develops the various theories that attempt to explain mineralization genesis. Nonetheless, the main purpose of the article is to provide a profile of the various existing biomarkers of VC. Indeed, in the past years, a lot of inhibitors and promoters, which form a dense and interconnected network, were identified. Given importance to assess and control mineralization process, a focusing on accumulated knowledge of each marker seemed to be necessary. Therefore, we tried to define their respective role in the physiopathology and how they can contribute to calcification risk assessment. Among these, Klotho/fibroblast growth factor-23, fetuin-A, Matrix Gla protein, Bone morphogenetic protein-2, osteoprotegerin, osteopontin, osteonectin, osteocalcin, pyrophosphate and sclerostin are specifically discussed.

Unsatisfactory control of blood pressure (BP) leading to an increased rate of cardiovascular events is the main cause of mortality in haemodialysis. BP control has deteriorated since haemodialysis session times have been reduced. Inadequate BP control most often is due to a failure to achieve and maintain dry weight. Dry weight and normotension have been gradually omitted in the goals of dialysis, satisfactory dialysis being reduced to an 'adequate' urea Kt/V. Ideal dry body weight needs a reappraisal. What is dry weight? How should it be clinically assessed, established and maintained in patients? The problems encountered in estimating dry weight can be solved at the bedside in most cases. The additional laboratory, echography and impedancemetry methods are research tools that hopefully can be made simpler and lower in cost so they can be used everyday at the bedside. In the mean time, with the exception of ambulatory blood pressure measurement, one must rely on careful and repeated clinical observation to determine and maintain dry weight.

Infection, mainly related to vascular access, is one of the main causes of morbidity and a preventable cause of death in hemodialysis patients. From January 1994 to April 1998 we conducted a prospective study to assess the incidence and risk factors of catheter-related bacteremia. One hundred and twenty-nine tunneled dual-lumen hemodialysis catheters were inserted percutaneously into the internal jugular vein in 89 patients. Bacteremia (n = 56) occurred at least once with 37 (29%) of the catheters (an incidence of 1.1/1,000 catheter-days); local infection (n = 45, 1/1,000 catheter-days) was associated with bacteremia in 18 cases. Death in 1 case was directly related to Staphylococcus aureus (SA) septic shock, and septicemia contributed to deaths in 2 additional cases. Catheters were removed in 48% of the bacteremic episodes. Treatment comprised intravenous double antimicrobial therapy for 15–20 days. Bacteriological data of bacteremia showed 55% involvement of SA. Nasal carriage of SA was observed in 35% of the patients with catheters. Bacteremic catheters were more frequently observed in patients with diabetes mellitus (p = 0.03), peripheral atherosclerosis (p = 0.001), a previous history of bacteremia (p = 0.05), nasal carriage of SA (p = 0.0001), longer catheter survival time (p = 0.001), higher total intravenous iron dose (p = 0.001), more frequent urokinase catheter infusion (p < 0.01), and local infection (p < 0.001) compared with non-bacteremic catheters. Monovariate survival analysis showed that significant initial risk factors for bacteremia were nasal carriage of SA (p = 0.00001), previous bacteremia (p = 0.0001), peripheral atherosclerosis (p = 0.005), and diabetes (p = 0.04). This study confirms the relatively high incidence of bacteremia with tunneled double-lumen silicone catheters and its potential complications. Possible preventive actions are discussed according to the risk factors.

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Intradialytic hypertension (IDH) is defined by blood pressure (BP) values during and at the end of the dialysis session exceeding BP values at dialysis onset. It occurs in around 10% of hemodialysis (HD) patients. It is associated with HD patients’ hospitalization and increased risk of death. Many hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. Recent studies and reports highlight the important role of fluid overload, hemodynamic changes, and increased endothelin level. The importance of other hypotheses such as the renin-angiotensin system activation, sympathetic overactivity and ionic variations seems secondary but it deserves to be confirmed. Fluid removal remains the key point for treating IDH. Several important unanswered questions remain and the need for further research is highlighted.

These results suggest that, during chronic hemodialysis, conservation of seKL >280 ng/L is associated with a better 2-year cardiovascular protection. Thus, a preserved klotho function supports cardiovascular protection and may represent a prognostic tool and therapeutic target for cardiovascular disease.

Long slow hemodialysis (3×8 hours/week) has been used in Tassin for 30 years without significant change in the method. It provides excellent results in terms of morbidity and mortality. The better survival than usually reported on shorter dialysis is mainly due to lower cardiovascular mortality. The nutritional state of the patient is good, as well as the correction of anemia with low doses of EPO. But the main feature concerns blood pressure; hypertension is very well controlled without need for antihypertensive medications. The gentle ultrafiltration provided by a long session time associated with a low salt diet and a moderate interdialytic weight gain allows for normalization of the extracellular fluid space in most patients (dry weight) without important intradialytic morbidity. This low salt diet has paradoxically been forgotten in recent years while shortened dialysis time renders it more necessary than ever.

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