Objectives: In this retrospective study, we evaluated the impact of CD56, CD117, and CD28 expression on clinical characteristics and survival in newly diagnosed myeloma patients treated with bortezomib-based induction therapy. Methods: We analyzed 110 myeloma patients. Immunophenotype was determined using panels consisting of CD19/CD38/CD45/CD56/CD138 and CD20, CD28, and CD117 were used additionally. All samples were tested for recurrent chromosomal aberrations. Results: CD56, CD117, and CD28 expression rates were 71, 6, and 68%, respectively. The lack of CD56 expression was associated with light chain myeloma. The lack of CD117 expression was associated with elevated creatinine levels (p = 0.037). We discovered the correlation between CD 28 expression and female gender. The median progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with revised International Staging System stage 2 disease with CD56 expression or the lack of CD56 expression was 20.5 vs. 13.8 months (p = 0.03). In patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT), we found no difference in PFS and overall survival regarding the CD56 expression. We found no impact of CD117 and CD28 expression on PFS in patients regarding aHSCT. Conclusions: Induction treatment incorporating bortezomib diminishes the negative impact of the lack of CD117 expression and aberrancy of CD28 but does not overcome the negative impact of the lack of CD56 expression.

Introduction: CorMatrix is an acellular extracellular matrix that acts as a biological scaffold and remodels into site-specific tissue. We used it for the (re)construction of arteriovenous fistulas. Methods: In this prospective pilot case study, we used CorMatrix in six patients. We included patients who required vascular access reconstruction due to thrombosis of unsalvageable arteriovenous fistulas, patients with high-flow arteriovenous fistulas and patients with microvasculature in which autologous arteriovenous fistulas did not mature, requiring reconstruction with a graft. We sutured the CorMatrix plate into a tubular shape and then constructed arterial and venous anastomoses. Results: There were no periprocedural complications, CorMatrix-related infections, bleeding or limb swelling after the procedures. CorMatrix was first punctured after 8–10 weeks. In five patients, a percutaneous angioplasty due to CorMatrix stenosis was performed; in one patient, a stent was placed due to refractory stenosis. We observed eight thromboses during the observation period (four in one patient). Perianastomotic stenosis of CorMatrix and interdialytic hypotension were the causes of the thrombosis in five patients, cephalic arch stenosis in two patients and thromboembolism to the brachial artery and arteriovenous fistula in one patient. Thrombendarteriectomy was successful in 87.5% of patients, and one patient required arteriovenous fistula reconstruction. After a median observation period of 12.5 (range 4–23) months, all arteriovenous fistulas were patent, with a median brachial artery flow of 1450 (range 700–1700) mL/min. Conclusion: Arteriovenous fistula (re)construction with CorMatrix seems to be feasible and safe, with a relatively high incidence of neointimal hyperplasia, predominantly at venous anastomoses, but additional clinical studies are needed.

Ultrasound-guided endovascular treatment of arteriovenous fistula or graft is a feasible and safe method of reestablishing or maintaining a functional vascular access.
.

Chronic renal replacement therapy with hemodialysis and strict uremic, electrolyte, and volume control may be more beneficial for patients with advanced heart failure with preserved or reduced LVEF than ultrafiltration alone. We have observed better survival of terminal cardiorenal patients treated with hemodialysis than in the general NYHA IV population, with lower hospital readmission rate and less hospitalized days for heart failure.
.

MBL in Slovenia can be coincidentally found with a similar frequency to previously studied populations of other parts of Europe. We found, however, a higher incidence of atypical MBL among first-degree relatives.