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Antecedentes: El fracaso renal agudo (FRA) es una complicación frecuente tras la cirugía cardíaca y la angiografía coronaria que ensombrece el pronóstico de estos pacientes. El diagnóstico se basa en el ascenso de la creatinina sérica, que es tardío. Es necesaria la identificación y validación de nuevos biomarcadores precoces que permitan intervenciones más tempranas y eficaces. Objetivos: Evaluar la sensibilidad y especificidad de interleuquina-18 (IL-18) en orina, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin en orina (uNGAL) y cistatina C en suero para la detección precoz del FRA en una población de pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo o fallo cardíaco y sometidos a cirugía cardíaca o cateterismo. Métodos: Se incluyeron en el estudio 135 pacientes ingresados en una unidad de cuidados intensivos por síndrome coronario agudo o fallo cardíaco por patología coronaria o valvular y a los que se realizaron una angiografía cardíaca o una cirugía cardíaca de revascularización o recambio valvular. Se determinaron los biomarcadores a las 12 horas de la intervención y se monitorizó la creatinina sérica durante los siguientes seis días para el diagnóstico del FRA. Resultados: Para NGAL se obtuvo un área bajo la curva ROC (AUC) de 0,983 y para cistatina C e IL-18 de 0,869 y 0,727, respectivamente. Para un punto de corte de NGAL en orina de 31,9 ng/ml la sensibilidad fue del 100% y la especificidad del 91%. Conclusiones: uNGAL es un marcador precoz de FRA en pacientes con síndrome coronario o fallo cardíaco agudo y sometidos a cirugía cardíaca y angiografía cardíaca, con una capacidad predictiva superior a cistatina o a IL-18 (AU)

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in cardiac surgery and coronary angiography, which worsens patients' prognosis. The diagnosis is based on the increase in serum creatinine, which is delayed. It is necessary to identify and validate new biomarkers that allow for early and effective interventions. Aims: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in urine (uNGAL), interleukin-18 (IL-18) in urine and cystatin C in serum for the early detection of AKI in patients with acute coronary syndrome or heart failure, and who underwent cardiac surgery or catheterization. Methods: The study included 135 patients admitted to the intensive care unit for acute coronary syndrome or heart failure due to coronary or valvular pathology and who underwent coronary angiography or cardiac bypass surgery or valvular replacement. The biomarkers were determined 12 hours after surgery and serum creatinine was monitored during the next six days for the diagnosis of AKI. Results: The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for NGAL was 0.983, and for cystatin C and IL-18 the AUCs were 0.869 and 0.727, respectively. At a cut-off of 31.9ng/ml for uNGAL the sensitivity was 100% and the specificity was 91%. Conclusions: uNGAL is an early marker of AKI in patients with acute coronary syndrome or heart failure and undergoing cardiac surgery and coronary angiography, with a higher predictive value than cystatin C or IL-18 (AU)

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BACKGROUND: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is elevated in patients with end-stage renal disease and could reflect left ventricular dysfunction. AIM: To evaluate the plasma levels of BNP in two groups of asymptomatic patients on different dialysis programs and to correlate their variations with echocardiographic parameters. METHODS: Group A consisted of 36 patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD), and group B included 38 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). ECG and echocardiography were performed, and concomitantly plasma BNP levels were determined before and after a regular 4-hour session in HD patients and before performing a dialysate exchange in patients on CAPD. RESULTS: BNP values in group A were found to be higher than in group B (419 ± 76 vs. 193 ± 56 pg/ml; p < 0.03). The cutoff point which discriminated both groups was 194 pg/ml (sensitivity: 64% and specificity: 76%; p = 0.001). Significant differences were found with respect to the following echocardiographic data (group A vs. group B): left atrial (LA) size (40 ± 13 vs. 34 ± 1 mm), LA volume (59 ± 16 vs. 41 ± 32 ml), transmitral flow E/A (1.17 ± 0.01 vs. 0.9 ± 0.06), the movement of the mitral valve annulus e/a (tissue Doppler imaging; 1.19 ± 0.15 vs. 1.05 ± 0.13) and left ventricular mass index (133 ± 10 vs. 108 ± 11). CONCLUSION: Patients on CAPD had lower levels of BNP, and echocardiographic findings indicated decreased volume overload. In asymptomatic patients, marked increases in BNP levels may reflect early stages of pathological processes that precede the development of apparent cardiac manifestations (left ventricular hypertrophy). Only echocardiographic parameters of cardiac dysfunction should be used as diagnostic criteria.

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A las consultas externas de nefrología acude un importante número de pacientes nefrectomizados, quienes son remitidos tras la cirugía o bien cuando presentan un deterioro de la función renal o alguna otra patología asociada. Existen diferentes estudios sobre pacientes nefrectomizados en los que se valoran la función renal y su evolución (tanto en sanos como en pacientes con factores de comorbilidad), con unos resultados muy variables. Presentamos un estudio observacional y retrospectivo sobre 92 pacientes, monorrenos quirúrgicos, atendidos en las consultas de nefrología de nuestro centro, con una edad promedio de 67 años (rango, 22-89 años) y con un promedio de seguimiento posterior a la cirugía de 21 años. La población fue dividida en dos grupos según el filtrado glomerular (FG): los pacientes del grupo 1 presentaban un FG inferior a 60 ml/minantes de la cirugía y los del grupo 2 presentaban un FG superiora 60 ml/min. En el grupo 1, en el momento de la nefrectomía,24 pacientes tenían un FG promedio de 48 ml/min, el 63%hipertensión arterial (HTA) y el 8% presentaban proteinuria. El21% de los pacientes del grupo 1 tardó 20 años de promedio(10-30 años) en entrar en estadios 4 y 5, y 5 casos evolucionaron hasta necesitar terapia renal sustitutiva. El grupo 2 estaba formado por 68 pacientes con un FG promedio de 76,5 ml/min, un 34% con HTA y un 10% con proteinuria. El 80% del grupo2 alcanzó el estadio 3 en un promedio de 17,47 años después de la intervención quirúrgica (1-48 años). El 19,1%presentaron, a lo largo de su evolución, un FG superior a60 ml/min, tras una media de 22 años de evolución. Nuestros resultados indican que los pacientes monorrenos quirúrgicos presentan una progresión de la enfermedad renal muy lenta, y se observa una tendencia a la progresión de la insuficiencia renal al presentar proteinuria (AU)

Data recorded from external visit in hospitals, reflects high number of nephrectomized patients. Most of these patients were remitted after any surgery or deteriorizated renal function or any other associated pathology. Several studies of nephrectomized patients are reported in literature concerning both healthy patients and comorbility factors, and renal function and its evolution are evaluated. However, obtained results present a wide variability, which needs to be assessed. In this study we present a retrospective observational study of 92 one-kidney surgical patients, visited in Nephrology surgery of University Clinic Hospital. Patients presented an average age of 67 years old (range 22-89 years old), and a postsurgery monitoring of 21 years. Population was divided in two groups according with their glomerular filtration (FG). Before surgery, group 1 presented FG <60 ml/min and group 2 >60 ml/min, respectively. Group 1 patients (a total of 24 patients) presented an FG average of 48 ml/min, 8% had proteinuria and 63% presented high blood pressure. 21% of them needed an average of 20 years (10-30 years) to reach E4 and E5 steps and in general, most of them progressed to insufficient renal chronic disease. Five cases achieved renal therapy replacement. Group 2 patients, composed of a total of 68 patients, had an FG average of 76.5 ml/min, and 10% of patients presented proteinuria and 34% HTA; however, 80% of group 2 patients achieve E3 step with average age of 17 years, and a post-surgery of 47 years (1-48 years). A total of 19.1 % presented an FG higher 60 ml/min with an average development of 22 years along their evolution. According to the results obtained it is suggested that monorrenal surgical patients present a low progression of renal disease and it is also observed a progressive tendency to the chronic renal failure due to emerging ofproteinuria (AU)

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Data recorded from external visit in hospitals, reflects high number of nephrectomized patients. Most of these patients were remitted after any surgery or deteriorizated renal function or any other associated pathology. Several studies of nephrectomized patients are reported in literature concerning both healthy patients and comorbidity factors, and renal function and its evolution are evaluated. However, obtained results present a wide variability, which needs to be assessed. In this study we present a retrospective observational study of 92 one-kidney surgical patients, visited in Nephrology surgery of University Clinic Hospital. Patients presented an average age of 67 years old (range 22-89 years old), and a post-surgery monitoring of 21 years. Population was divided in two groups according with their glomerular filtration (FG). Before surgery, group 1 presented FG < 60 ml/min and group 2 > 60 ml/min, respectively. Group 1 patients (a total of 24 patients) presented an FG average of 48 ml/min, 8% had proteinuria and 63% presented high blood pressure. 21% of them needed an average of 20 years (10-30 years) to reach E4 and E5 steps and in general, most of them progressed to insufficient renal chronic disease. Five cases achieved renal therapy replacement. Group 2 patients, composed of a total of 68 patients, had an FG average of 76.5 ml/min, and 10% of patients presented proteinuria and 34% HTA; however, 80% of group 2 patients achieve E3 step with average age of 17 years, and a post-surgery of 47 years (1-48 years). A total of 19.1 % presented an FG higher 60 ml/min with an average development of 22 years along their evolution. According to the results obtained it is suggested that monorrenal surgical patients present a low progression of renal disease and it is also observed a progressive tendency to the chronic renal failure due to emerging of proteinuria.

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Adverse reactions to drugs occur in up to 6% of hospitalized patients and are an important cause of increment in morbimortality. The widely-prescribed antibiotics beta-lactams and sulfamides are the most frequently associated to adverse reactions and hypersensitivity. Vancomycin is a glycopeptidic antibiotic used to treat infections caused by Staph. coagulasa positive (S. aureus) and Staph. coagulasa negative. Nowadays its extensive use is a consequence of bacterial resistance to classical antibiotics such as beta-lactams. In Nephrology Units, vancomycin is the antibiotic of first choice to treat staphylococcal infections related to central venous catheters for hemodialysis, as well as for the treatment of peritonitis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Toxicity due to vancomycin includes the "red man syndrome", ototoxicity and hematological toxicity. The most common sign of haematological toxicity is mild neutropenia; less frecuent are leukocytosis, eosinophilia, agranulocytosis and thrombocytopenia.

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INTRODUCTION: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the main expression of uremic cardiomyopathy. Alteration of the diastolic function is frequently associated with LVH, indicating future cardiovascular events. Recent studies suggest that the Tissue Doppler (TID) of the mitral annulus obtains parameters of diastolic function that are not influenced by other factors, unlike what occurs with the pulsed Doppler (PD), and that the relationship between the velocity of the proto-diastolic waves of both techniques (E/E') would be the most important datum to diagnose a diastolic malfunction. The objective of this study is to verify LVH prevalence in a population of End Stage Renal Disease patients (ESRD) in peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and to study diastolic function, comparing the results of both techniques (PD/TID), as well as the possible causes that determine the appearance of diastolic malfunction in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a cross-section study with 42 patients in peritoneal dialysis. All patients had an ejection fraction of over 50% and had no clinical signs of heart failure, valvular heart disease or arrhytmia. A basic biochemistry, residual renal function, C-reactive protein and an ultrasonic study with M-mode doppler, pulsed doppler and tissue doppler of the mitral annulus, were performed in all patients. RESULTS: 26.2% of the patients had a concentric LVH, 14.3% an asymmetric LVH and 23.8% a concentric growth. The PD showed an E/A ratio under 0.75 in 20 cases (which would indicate an alteration of ventricular relaxation), an E/A between 0.75 and 1.5 in 22 (normal or pseudonormal pattern) and none with an E/A over 1.5. On the other hand, the TID showed: 24 patients with an E/A < 0.75, 16 between 0.75 and 1.5, and 2 with an E/A > 1.5. The E/E' proportion was normal in 13 cases(< 8), intermediate in 12 (8-10), and greater than 10 in 17, expressing a clear diastolic malfunction. Twelve of the 17 with diastolic malfunction had a pseudo-normal pattern with the PD. A relationship was observed between the E/A and age and hs-CRP. A relationship was also found between RRF, ejection fraction and diastolic pressure (p = 0.03, r = 0.32 and p = 0.006, r = 0.29), while, in the multivariant study, the presence of LVH was the only variable with enough significance to influence the diastolic malfunction (odds ratio of 7.6). CONCLUSIONS: Patients in CAPD have a high incidence of diastolic malfunction. LVH, present in a high percentage of patients, is one of the factors that favours its appearance. The non-invasive TID technique and the E/E' ratio have shown to be more sensitive than the PD in diagnosing a diastolic malfunction.

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Introducción: La hipertrofia ventricular izquierda (HVI) es la expresión principal de la miocardiopatía urémica. La disfunción diastólica se asocia frecuentemente con dicha hipertrofia prediciendo futuros eventos cardiovasculares. Estudios recientes sugieren que el doppler tisular (DTI) del anillo mitral obtiene parámetros de función diastólica que no se influyen por otros factores, como ocurre con el doppler pulsado (DP) y que la relación entre la velocidad de la onda protodiastólica entre ambas técnicas (E/E´) podría ser un dato de gran importancia para el diagnóstico de disfunción diastólica. El objetivo de este estudio es verificar la prevalencia de HVI en una población de pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) estadio 5 en tratamiento con diálisis peritoneal y estudiar la función diastólica comparando los resultados de ambas técnicas (DP/DTI), así como las posibles causas que determinan la aparición de disfunción diastólica en estos pacientes. Pacientes y métodos: Se realiza un estudio transversal en 42 pacientes en diálisis peritoneal. Todos los pacientes tenían una fracción de eyección superior al 50% y no presentaban signos clínicos de insuficiencia cardíaca, enfermedad valvular o arritmia. En todos los casos se realizó un estudio bioquímico básico, medición de la función renal residual (aclaramiento promedio de urea y creatinina), PCR ultrasensible (PCR) y un estudio con doppler en modo M, doppler pulsado y doppler tisular del anillo mitral. Resultados: El 26,2% de los pacientes presentaban una hipertrofia concéntrica, el 14,3% hipertrofia excéntrica y el 23,8% remodelado concéntrico. El DP mostró un cociente E/A menor de 0,75 en 20 casos (alteración de la relajación ventricular), en 22 casos un E/A entre 0,75 y 1,5 (patrón normal o pseudonormal) y en ningún caso el E/A era mayor de 1,5. Por otra parte, el DTI mostró en 24 pacientes un cociente E/A menor de 0,75, en 16 entre 0,75 y 1,5 y en 2 un cociente mayor de 1,5. El cociente E/E´ fue normal en 13 casos, intermedio en 12 y mayor de 10 en 17, expresando una clara disfunción diastólica. Se descubrió una relación significativa entre la función renal residual (FRR), la fracción de eyección y la presión arterial diastólica, mientras que en el estudio multivariante la HVI fue la única variable independiente significativa en relación a la disfunción diastólica (odds ratio 7,6). Conclusiones: En nuestra población de pacientes en diálisis peritoneal se observó una alta incidencia de disfunción diastólica. La HVI, presente en un alto porcentaje de pacientes, es uno de los factores que favorecen su aparición. La técnica no invasiva DTI y el cociente E/E´ se han mostrado más sensibles que el DP en el diagnóstico de la disfunción diastólica

Introduction: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the main expression of uremic cardiomyopathy. Alteration of the diastolic function is frequently associated with LVH, indicating future cardiovascular events. Recent studies suggest that the Tissue Doppler (TID) of the mitral annulus obtains parameters of diastolic function that are not influenced by other factors, unlike what occurs with the pulsed Doppler (PD), and that the relationship between the velocity of the proto-diastolic waves of both techniques (E/E’) would be the most important datum to diagnose a diastolic malfunction. The objective of this study is to verify LVH prevalence in a population of End Stage Renal Disease patients (ESRD) in peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and to study diastolic function, comparing the results of both techniques (PD/TID), as well as the possible causes that determine the appearance of diastolic malfunction in these patients. Patients and methods: We carried out a cross-section study with 42 patients in peritoneal dialysis. All patients had an ejection fraction of over 50% and had no clinical signs of heart failure, valvular heart disease or arrhytmia. A basic biochemistry, residual renal function, C-reactive protein and an ultrasonic study with Mmode doppler, pulsed doppler and tissue doppler of the mitral annulus, were performed in all patients. Results: 26.2% of the patients had a concentric LVH, 14.3% an asymmetric LVH and 23.8% a concentric growth. The PD showed an E/A ratio under 0.75 in 20 cases (which would indicate an alteration of ventricular relaxation), an E/A between 0.75 and 1.5 in 22 (normal or pseudonormal pattern) and none with an E/A over 1.5. On the other hand, the TID showed: 24 patients with an E/A 1.5. The E/E’ proportion was normal in 13 cases (< 8), intermediate in 12 (8-10), and greater than 10 in 17, expressing a clear diastolic malfunction. Twelve of the 17 with diastolic malfunction had a pseudo-normal pattern with the PD. A relationship was observed between the E/A and age and hs-CRP. A relationship was also found between RRF, ejection fraction and diastolic pressure (p = 0.03, r = 0.32 and p = 0.006, r = 0.29), while, in the multivariant study, the presence of LVH was the only variable with enough significance to influence the diastolic malfunction (odds ratio of 7.6). Conclusions: Patients in CAPD have a high incidence of diastolic malfunction. LVH, present in a high percentage of patients, is one of the factors that favours its appearance. The non-invasive TID technique and the E/E’ ratio have shown to be more sensitive than the PD in diagnosing a diastolic malfunction

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During the last years there has been an important advance in the knowledge of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In order to adapt our clinical practice to these new data, a protocol of management of CKD between Nephrology and Primary Health Care has been developed. The protocol includes several items like cardiac and renal protection strategies, diagnosis and treatment of complications, use of drugs and clear derivation criteria. Implementation of the protocol has been only partial and has implied, for the Renal Unit, an increase in the number of patients,specially the oldest ones, but a clear improve in the quality of the information too,and a first positive step in the right way to face the challenge of CKD. In view of analysed data we propose some modifications for the protocol.

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En los últimos años se ha producido un importante avance en el conocimiento de la enfermedad renal crónica (ERC). Con el objetivo de adaptar la práctica clínica a los nuevos conocimientos se ha puesto en marcha en el Departamento 5 de la Agencia Valenciana de Salud un protocolo conjunto de manejo de la ERC entre Atención Primaria y Nefrología. El protocolo desarrolla una serie de puntos entre los que se incluyen medidas de cardio y renoprotección, detección y manejo de complicaciones, uso de fármacos y criterios claros de derivación. La implantación de este protocolo hasta el momento ha sido parcial y ha supuesto, para el Servicio de Nefrología, un aumento del número de consultas y un aumento de la remisión de pacientes mayores de 80 años, pero también una mejora clara en la información con la que llegan los pacientes y un primer paso, consideramos que claramente positivo, en la dirección correcta para afrontar el reto de la ERC. A la luz de los datos analizados se proponen también algunas modificaciones del protocolo

During the last years there has been an important advance in the knowledge of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In order to adapt our clinical practice to these new data, a protocol of management of CKD between Nephrology and Primary Health Care has been developed. The protocol includes several items like cardiac and renal protection strategies, diagnosis and treatment of complications, use of drugs and clear derivation criteria. Implementation of the protocol has been only partial and has implied, for the Renal Unit, an increase in the number of patients, specially the oldest ones, but a clear improve in the quality of the information too, and a first positive step in the right way to face the challenge of CKD. In view of analysed data we propose some modifications for the protocol

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We describe a patient with Felty's syndrome and chronic renal failure due to secondary amyloidosis in a periodic haemodialysis programme, who was successfully treated for neutropenia with sequential administration of colony-stimulating factors: granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

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Describimos el caso de un paciente diagnosticado de síndrome de Felty en programa de hemodiálisis periódica por amiloidosis secundaria (AA), que presenta episodios repetidos de neutropenia, para la que recibe tratamiento de forma consecutiva con diferentes factores estimuladores de colonias: granulocitos (G-CSF) y granulocitos macrófagos (GM-CSF). En ambos casos se objetiva una buena respuesta con una recuperación rápida de la cifra de granulocitos y ausencia de complicaciones. (AU)

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El estudio se ha realizado con treinta y tres ciclistas de categoría juvenil de la Federación Catalana de Ciclismo. Se evalúa la efectividad de dos técnicas de entrenamiento psicológico -la biorretroalimentación de la frecuencia cardíaca y la sincronización de la frecuencia respiratoria con el ritmo de pedaleo-, sobre la mejora de la eficiencia cardíaca de ciclistas, durante pruebas ergométricas de esfuerzo máximo. El grupo de ciclistas se ha dividido en un control y tres experimentales: grupo BIO entrenado en la técnica de biorretroalimentación de la frecuencia cardíaca, grupo RES entrenado en la sincronización de la frecuencia respiratoria y el ritmo de pedaleo, y grupo BIR entrenado en ambas técnicas. Todos los ciclistas han completado tres fases: fase pre-test, fase de entrenamiento y fase post-test. Los resultados indican que los sujetos entrenados en las diferentes técnicas psicológicas mejoran su eficiencia cardíaca, ya que muestran valores inferiores de frecuencia cardíaca en la fase posttest, donde aplicaron las técnicas aprendidas, respecto a la fase pre-test (AU)

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BACKGROUND: On-line haemodiafiltration (HDF) is a technique which combines diffusion with elevated convection and uses pyrogen-free dialysate as a replacement fluid. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference between conventional HDF (1-3 l/h) and on-line HDF (6-12 l/h). METHODS: The study included 37 patients, 25 males and 12 females. The mean age was 56.5 +/- 13 years and duration of dialysis was 62.7 +/- 49 months. Three patients dropped out for transplantation, three patients died and three failed to complete the study period. Initially all patients were on conventional HDF with high-flux membranes over the preceding 34 +/- 32 months. Treatment was performed with blood flow (QB) 402 +/- 41 ml/min, dialysis time (Td) 187 min, dialysate flow (QD) 654 +/- 126 ml/min and replacement fluid (Qi) 4.0 +/- 2 l/session. Patients were changed to on-line HDF with the same filtre and dialysis time, QD 679 +/- 38 ml/min (NS), QB 434 +/- 68 ml/min (P < 0.05) and post-dilutional replacement fluid 22.5 +/- 4.3 l/session (P < 0.001). We compared conventional HDF with on-line HDF over a period of 1 year. Dialysis adequacy was monitored according to standard clinical and biochemical criteria. Kinetic analysis of urea and beta2-micro-globulin (beta2m) was performed monthly. RESULTS: Tolerance was excellent and no pyrogenic reactions were observed. Pre-dialysis sodium increased 2 mEq/l during on-line HDF. Plasma potassium, pre- and post-dialysis bicarbonate, uric acid, phosphate, calcium, iPTH, albumin, total proteins, cholesterol and triglycerides remained stable. The mean plasma beta2m reduction ratio increased from 56.1 +/- 8.7% in conventional HDF to 71.1 +/- 9.1% in on-line HDF (P < 0.001). The pre-dialysis plasma beta2m decreased from 27.4 +/- 8.1 to 24.2 +/- 6.5 mg/l (P < 0.01). Mean Kt/V (Daugirdas 2nd generation) was 1.35 +/- 0.21 in conventional HDF compared with 1.56 +/- 0.29 in on-line HDF (P < 0.01), Kt/Vr (Kt/V taking into consideration post-dialysis urea rebound) 1.12 +/- 0.17 vs 1.26 +/- 0.20 (P < 0.01), BUN time average concentration (TAC) 44.4 +/- 9 vs 40.6 +/- 10 mg/dl (P < 0.05) and protein catabolic rate (PCR) 1.13 +/- 0.22 vs 1.13 +/- 0.24 g/kg (NS). There was a significant increase in haemoglobin (10.66 +/- 1.1 vs 11.4 +/- 1.5) and haematocrit (32.2 +/- 2.9 vs 34.0 +/- 4.4%), P < 0.05, during the on-line HDF period, which allowed a decrease in the erythropoietin doses (3861 +/- 2446 vs 3232 +/- 2492 UI/week), (P < 0.05). Better blood pressure control (MAP 103.8 +/- 15 vs 97.8 +/- 11 mmHg, P < 0.01) and a lower percentage of patients requiring antihypertensive drugs were also observed. CONCLUSION: The change from conventional HDF to on-line HDF results in increased convective removal and fluid replacement (18 l/session). During on-line HDF treatment, dialysis dose was increased for both small and large molecules with a decrease in uraemic toxicity level (TAC). On-line HDF provided a better correction of anaemia with lower dosages of erythropoietin. Finally, blood pressure was easily controlled.

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