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Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) may be a feasible and safe alternative to haemodialysis not only in the chronic but also in the acute setting. It was previously widely accepted as a modality for acute kidney injury (AKI) treatment, but its practice declined in favor of other types of extracorporeal therapies. Summary: The interest in PD to manage AKI patients has been increased and PD is now frequently used in developing countries because of its lower cost and minimal infrastructural requirements. Studies from these countries have shown that, with careful thought and planning, critically ill patients can be successfully treated using PD. Some of the classic limitations of PD use in AKI, such as infectious and mechanical complications and poor metabolic control, have been decreased with the use of cyclers, flexible catheters, and a high volume of dialysate. The recent publication of the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis guidelines for PD in AKI has tried to address these issues and provide an evidence-based standard by which to initiate therapy. Key Message: In this review, advances in technical aspects and the advantages and limitations of PD were discussed; it clearly showed that PD is a simple, safe, and efficient way to correct metabolic, electrolyte, acid - base, and volume disturbances generated by AKI and it can be used as a renal replacement therapy modality to treat AKI, both in and out of the intensive care unit setting.

Background: The etiopathogenesis of uremic pruritus (UP) is multifactorial aspect, and it is thus necessary to elucidate its associated factors to develop efficient therapeutics approaches. This study aimed to verify the prevalence of UP and its associated factors. Methods and Findings:Prospective and cross-sectional study with patients undergoing hemodialysis at a university public hospital. The data were obtained between April 2014 and April 2015. The statistical analysis was carried out using multivariate regression models, and statistical significance was set at p<0.05. A total of 164 patients were included, and pruritus was reported in 64 (39%). In the multivariate analysis, a higher creatinine level was risk factor for pruritus (β=1.09, 95% CI 1.00-1.19; p=0.048), as was a lower level of hemoglobin (β=0.85, 95% CI 0.73-0.99; p=0.043). Dyslipidemia (β=1.52, 95% CI 0.12-2.91; p=0.03), obesity (β=2.40, 95% CI 1.03-3.78; p=0.001), higher levels of C-reactive protein (β=0.26, 95% CI 0.19-0.34; p<0.001) and black race (β=1.49, 95% CI -2.57 and 0.42; p<0.006) were associated with a greater intensity of pruritus. The use of a high-flux dialyzer was associated with a lower intensity of pruritus (β=-1.69, 95% CI -3.05-0.34; p=0.01). Conclusion:Uremic pruritus has a high prevalence in hemodialysis patients, and the data suggest that the higher the creatinine and the lower the hemoglobin levels are, the greater the risk of developing pruritus is. Dyslipidemia, obesity, and higher levels of C-reactive protein were associated with a greater intensity of pruritus, whereas the use of a high-flux dialyzer was associated with lower pruritus intensity.

Purpose This trial aimed to compare mortality and recovery of renal function in acute kidney injury (AKI) patients treated with different durations of prolonged hemodialysis (PHD) sessions (6 h versus 10 h). Methodology We included patients with sepsis-associated AKI, >18 years, who are in use of a norepinephrine (lower than 0.7 ucg/kg/min). Results One hundred and ninety-four patients were treated with 531 sessions of PHD (G1=104 and G2=90 patients). The two groups were similar in age and SOFA. There was no significant difference in hypotension, hypokalemia, and anticoagulation during PHD sessions. The two groups showed differences in filter clotting, hypophosphatemia, and treatment discontinuation (12.3 versus 23.1%, p=0.002; 15.5 versus 25.8%, p=0.005; and 7.9 versus 15.6%, p=0.008, respectively). There was no difference in fluid balance (FB) before and after PHD sessions. Death and complete recovery of renal function were similar (81.3 versus 82.2%, p=0.87 and 21 versus 31.2%, p=0.7, respectively). At logistic regression, the positive FB before and after dialysis was identified as risk factor for death, while volume overload after three PHD sessions and predialysis creatinine were negatively associated with recovery of renal function in 28 days. Conclusion There was no difference in the mortality and recovery of renal function of AKI patients submitted to different durations of PHD and sessions lasting 10 h presented higher filter clotting, hypophosphatemia, and treatment discontinuation. ISRCTN Registry number is ISRCTN33774458.