According to a recent study, patients with kidney failure were known to benefit from high-dose hemodiafiltration as compared with standard hemodialysis. This study’s results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

This study was a multinational, pragmatic, randomized, controlled trial that included 1360 patients with kidney failure who had received high-flux hemodialysis for a period of at least 3 months. Out of these, 683 were assigned to high dose hemodiafiltration and 677 continued on high flux hemodialysis[SB1] . All the patients were deemed to be candidates for a convection volume of at least 23 liters per session [SB2] . The primary outcome measured was death due to any cause. The time for median follow-up was 30 months.

It was observed that the mean convection volume in the hemodiafiltration group was found to be 25.3 liters/session. While death due to any cause was 118 patients in the hemodiafiltration group, it was seen in 148 patients in the hemodialysis group.

Hence, it may be concluded that in patients with kidney failure resulting in kidney-replacement therapy, high-dose hemodiafiltration was found to lower risk of death due to any cause than conventional high-flux hemodialysis and therefore, may be a better option for use.

A recent study found that Roxadustat was found to be effective in treating renal anemia associated with initial peritoneal dialysis (PD). The results of this study were published in the journal, Renal Failure.

A retrospective analysis was conducted to explore the efficacy and safety of Roxadustat for treatment of renal anemia in patients new to PD and to assess its impact on residual renal function (RRF). The study included 60 patients, of them, 28 were treated with Roxadustat (Roxadustat group) and 32 with recombinant human erythropoietin (control group). The two groups' clinical characteristics, haemoglobin (Hb), C-reactive protein, blood lipids, iron metabolism, dialysis adequacy, and RRF were evaluated, and adverse events were recorded for 40 weeks.

At the end of treatment, the mean Hb change in Roxadustat group was higher than control group. Patients in Roxadustat group also had higher levels of total iron binding, 24 h urine volume, total weekly creatinine clearance, and lower systolic pressure, ferritin, C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, LDL, compared to the control group. The mean RRF change was found to be lower in Roxadustat group than control group.

Thus, it was concluded in this retrospective analysis that Roxadustat effectively improved renal anaemia and delayed RRF decline in patients newly diagnosed with PD.

A latest study suggests the use of anterior quadratus lumborum block (QLB) at the L2 level in patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, as it can reduce the perioperative dosage of sufentanil and the degree of postoperative pain. This study was published in the journal, Pain Research and Management. 

This single-center, randomized controlled trial included 63 patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of 1-2 and was scheduled for elective laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. The patients were allocated to receive QLB (group Q, n = 32) or no block (group C, n = 31). All patients received total intravenous anesthesia, the same multimodal analgesic regimen, and rescue analgesia when needed. The primary outcome was perioperative cumulative sufentanil consumption.

In group Q, sufentanil consumption during the perioperative period, and sufentanil dosage during surgery and 0-6 h, 6-12 h, and 12-24 h after surgery were lower, compared to group C. However, 24-48 h after surgery these outcomes were similar between both groups.

Therefore, anterior QLB at the L2 level can reduce the perioperative dosage of sufentanil and the degree of postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.