Measuring of the heparin leakage into the circulation from central venous catheters—an in vivo study - Ivica Markota, Darko Markota, and Monika Tomic

Link to abstract.  Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation - 24:5:1550-1553 - May 2009  
We present a model that enables the measurement of the catheter leakage in vivo. We applied the model on three kinds of catheters and concluded that both early and late leakages are significantly higher in nontunnelled catheters compared to Hemoflow and Ash Split tunnelled catheters. Our results show that the so-called early leakage measured in vivo is significantly lower compared to the results from in vitro studies. Further research is necessary to determine the amount of leakage volume for different kinds of catheters and to determine the exact leakage dynamics of lock solutions in vivo.

Phosphate: despite advances in research, the benefits to patients remain limited - Marc E De Broe

Link to full text article.  Kidney International - 75:9:880-881 - May 2009  
Finally, what can the practicing physician do with all these new 'promising' concepts? Not that much as we can read in the conclusion of Hutchison's review. Indeed, three generations of phosphate binders have not been able to answer the question of the benefits of reducing serum phosphate in ESRF patients, let alone patients with CKD 4 and 5. High-quality comparative randomized controlled trials are badly needed, making the plethora of 'biochemical target' studies obsolete.

Forty Years of Vascular Access - Lynda K. Ball

Link to full text article. (pdf format requires Adobe Acrobat reader)  Nephrology Nursing Journal - 36:2:119 - March/April 2009  
With long-term dialysis a reality, various new types of vascular access were developed. As the American Nephrology Nurses’ Association celebrates its 40th anniversary, this article looks back to see just how far vascular access has come and what might be in store for the future.

Percutaneous treatment of thrombosed prosthetic brachial-basilic access by the transradial approach - Ung Bae Jeon, Chang Won Kim, Sung Woon Chung

Link to full text article.  Journal of Vascular Surgery - 49:4:1057-1059 - April 2009  
In conclusion, thrombosed prosthetic brachial-basilic access was safely and effectively managed by the transradial approach. In addition, thrombosed or dysfunctional arteriovenous fistulas with a straight type configuration at the upper arm level can also be treated using this technique.

Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter Outcomes in Elderly Patients - Andrew R. Forauer, Nancy J. McNulty, Thomas M. Kaneko

Link to full text article.  Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology - 20:4:467-471 - April 2009  
Tunneled catheter outcomes in patients aged 75 years and older undergoing hemodialysis do not vary significantly compared with those in a younger cohort.

Mechanical complications of long-term Tesio catheters - A. Ndzengue, N. Kessaris, T. Dosani, N. Mustafa, V. Papalois, N.S. Hakim

Link to abstract.  Journal of Vascular Access - 10:1:50-54 - January-March 2009