Browsing by Author "Ravani, Pietro"
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Item Open Access Blood Volume Monitoring Guided Ultrafiltration Biofeedback on the Reduction of Intradialytic Hypotensive Episodes in Hemodialysis(2016) Leung, Kelvin Cheuk-Wai; MacRae, Jennifer; Quinn, Robert; Ravani, Pietro; Duff, HenryThe majority of patients with end stage renal disease rely on hemodialysis (HD) to maintain fluid balance. Unfortunately, rapid fluid removal [ultrafiltration (UF)] often results in symptomatic, intradialytic hypotension (IDH). Our objective was to perform a randomized controlled crossover trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a blood volume monitoring guided UF biofeedback in the reduction of symptomatic IDH. Over the study period, symptomatic patients first had their dialysis prescription and dry weight optimized over a four-week period before being randomized to an eight-week biofeedback intervention or standard control HD. There was a two-week washout period before patients crossed over for a second eight-week study period. There were no differences in the rate of symptomatic IDH, volume status (as measured by electrical bioimpedance), or biomarkers of cardiac stress between the two groups.Item Open Access Global variations in funding and use of hemodialysis accesses: an international report using the ISN Global Kidney Health Atlas(2024-05-08) Ghimire, Anukul; Shah, Samveg; Chauhan, Utkarsh; Ibrahim, Kwaifa S.; Jindal, Kailash; Kazancioglu, Rumeyza; Luyckx, Valerie A.; MacRae, Jennifer M.; Olanrewaju, Timothy O.; Quinn, Robert R.; Ravani, Pietro; Shah, Nikhil; Thompson, Stephanie; Tungsanga, Somkanya; Vachharanjani, Tushar; Arruebo, Silvia; Caskey, Fergus J.; Damster, Sandrine; Donner, Jo-Ann; Jha, Vivekanand; Levin, Adeera; Malik, Charu; Nangaku, Masaomi; Saad, Syed; Tonelli, Marcello; Ye, Feng; Okpechi, Ikechi G.; Bello, Aminu K.; Johnson, David W.Abstract Background There is a lack of contemporary data describing global variations in vascular access for hemodialysis (HD). We used the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) to highlight differences in funding and availability of hemodialysis accesses used for initiating HD across world regions. Methods Survey questions were directed at understanding the funding modules for obtaining vascular access and types of accesses used to initiate dialysis. An electronic survey was sent to national and regional key stakeholders affiliated with the ISN between June and September 2022. Countries that participated in the survey were categorized based on World Bank Income Classification (low-, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income) and by their regional affiliation with the ISN. Results Data on types of vascular access were available from 160 countries. Respondents from 35 countries (22% of surveyed countries) reported that > 50% of patients started HD with an arteriovenous fistula or graft (AVF or AVG). These rates were higher in Western Europe (n = 14; 64%), North & East Asia (n = 4; 67%), and among high-income countries (n = 24; 38%). The rates of > 50% of patients starting HD with a tunneled dialysis catheter were highest in North America & Caribbean region (n = 7; 58%) and lowest in South Asia and Newly Independent States and Russia (n = 0 in both regions). Respondents from 50% (n = 9) of low-income countries reported that > 75% of patients started HD using a temporary catheter, with the highest rates in Africa (n = 30; 75%) and Latin America (n = 14; 67%). Funding for the creation of vascular access was often through public funding and free at the point of delivery in high-income countries (n = 42; 67% for AVF/AVG, n = 44; 70% for central venous catheters). In low-income countries, private and out of pocket funding was reported as being more common (n = 8; 40% for AVF/AVG, n = 5; 25% for central venous catheters). Conclusions High income countries exhibit variation in the use of AVF/AVG and tunneled catheters. In low-income countries, there is a higher use of temporary dialysis catheters and private funding models for access creation.Item Open Access Health related quality of life during dialysis modality transitions: a qualitative study(2023-09-22) Dumaine, Chance S.; Fox, Danielle E.; Ravani, Pietro; Santana, Maria J.; MacRae, Jennifer M.Abstract Background Modality transitions represent a period of significant change that can impact health related quality of life (HRQoL). We explored the HRQoL of adults transitioning to new or different dialysis modalities. Methods We recruited eligible adults (≥ 18) transitioning to dialysis from pre-dialysis or undertaking a dialysis modality change between July and September 2017. Nineteen participants (9 incident and 10 prevalent dialysis patients) completed the KDQOL-36 survey at time of transition and three months later. Fifteen participants undertook a semi-structured interview at three months. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Results Four themes and five sub-themes were identified: adapting to new circumstances (tackling change, accepting change), adjusting together, trading off, and challenges of chronicity (the impact of dialysis, living with a complex disease, planning with uncertainty). From the first day of dialysis treatment to the third month on a new dialysis therapy, all five HRQoL domains from the KDQOL-36 (symptoms, effects, burden, overall PCS, and overall MCS) improved in our sample (i.e., those who remained on the modality). Conclusions Dialysis transitions negatively impact the HRQoL of people with kidney disease in various ways. Future work should focus on how to best support people during this time.Item Open Access How Do Transitions Within End-Stage Renal Disease Impact Health-Related Quality of Life?(2018-08-31) Dumaine, Chance Skylar; MacRae, Jennifer; Ravani, Pietro; Santana, Maria Jose; Samuel, Susan M.Dialysis is used to sustain life for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). While dialysis prolongs length of life, numerous studies have shown that dialysis patients have significantly reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The degree of impairment seems to be partially related to dialysis modality [in-centre hemodialysis (IHD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), or home hemodialysis (HHD)], as patients on PD/HHD often have higher HRQoL scores than IHD patients. Patients may change dialysis modalities a number of times during their life. Each change is accompanied by a “transition period” (period of time in which patients adapt to life on their new modality). These transition periods are often marked by high rates of anxiety, depression, morbidity, and mortality, and are periods when HRQoL may change rapidly. However, few studies have examined the magnitude of change in HRQoL during transition periods or what the drivers of change are. Such studies are necessary to ensure that patients are provided with the necessary supports during their modality transition to prevent declines in HRQoL. In this pilot project, we tested the methodology of combining kidney disease-specific HRQoL questionnaires (Kidney Disease Quality of Life surveys) with semi-structured interviews in patients undergoing dialysis modality transitions. Patients completed KDQOL surveys prior to and 3 months after initiating a new dialysis modality and participated in semi-structured interviews to describe changes in HRQoL that occurred during the transition period. Regardless of dialysis modality being initiated, mean HRQoL scores as measured by the five domains of the KDQOL-36 improved over the initial 3 months of the transition period. Scores in additional domains of the KDQOL-Short Form were more variable, with improvements in some domains but reductions in others. Patient interviews highlighted many factors that negatively impacted HRQoL which may be amenable to intervention. Overall, combining the KDQOL tools with semi-structured patient interviews proved to be an effective method of studying changes in HRQoL that occur during modality transitions. Future studies may consider implementation of this model on a larger scale in order to better understand transition periods and to test interventions to prevent declines in HRQoL.Item Open Access Overview of the Alberta Kidney Disease Network(BioMed Central, 2009-10-19) Hemmelgarn, Brenda; Clement, Fiona; Manns, Braden J.; Klarenbach, Scott; James, Matthew T.; Ravani, Pietro; Pannu, Neesh; Ahmed, Sofia B; MacRae, Jennifer; Scott-Douglas, Nairne; Jindal, Kailash; Quinn, Robert; Culleton, Bruce F.; Wiebe, Natasha; Krause, Richard; Thorlacius, Laurel; Tonelli, MarcelloItem Open Access Selection of Peritoneal Dialysis Among Older Eligible Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease(2016) Wong, Ben; Holroyd-Leduc, Jayna M.; Quinn, Rob; Ravani, Pietro; Venturato, LorraineThis study seeks to explore potential patient and care provider barriers that may explain why older patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are less likely to choose peritoneal dialysis (PD). A mixed methods approach was used: survival analysis was performed on administrative data of patients deemed eligible for both PD and hemodialysis (HD); semi-structured interviews were also conducted with older patients. We found PD and HD are associated with similar survival in incident dialysis patients regardless of patient’s age, and the effect of modality on survival did not vary with follow-up time. Selection of a particular dialysis modality is highly personal and is driven by patient preference for the convenience and maintenance of a normal life provided by PD versus the heightened sense of security afforded by in-centre HD. Addressing these issues when counselling about dialysis choice may help increase PD uptake among older ESRD patients.Item Open Access The biobank for the molecular classification of kidney disease: research translation and precision medicine in nephrology(2017-07-26) Muruve, Daniel A; Mann, Michelle C; Chapman, Kevin; Wong, Josee F; Ravani, Pietro; Page, Stacey A; Benediktsson, HallgrimurAbstract Background Advances in technology and the ability to interrogate disease pathogenesis using systems biology approaches are exploding. As exemplified by the substantial progress in the personalized diagnosis and treatment of cancer, the application of systems biology to enable precision medicine in other disciplines such as Nephrology is well underway. Infrastructure that permits the integration of clinical data, patient biospecimens and advanced technologies is required for institutions to contribute to, and benefit from research in molecular disease classification and to devise specific and patient-oriented treatments. Methods and results We describe the establishment of the Biobank for the Molecular Classification of Kidney Disease (BMCKD) at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The BMCKD consists of a fully equipped wet laboratory, an information technology infrastructure, and a formal operational, ethical and legal framework for banking human biospecimens and storing clinical data. The BMCKD first consolidated a large retrospective cohort of kidney biopsy specimens to create a population-based renal pathology database and tissue inventory of glomerular and other kidney diseases. The BMCKD will continue to prospectively bank all kidney biopsies performed in Southern Alberta. The BMCKD is equipped to perform molecular, clinical and epidemiologic studies in renal pathology. The BMCKD also developed formal biobanking procedures for human specimens such as blood, urine and nucleic acids collected for basic and clinical research studies or for advanced diagnostic technologies in clinical care. The BMCKD is guided by standard operating procedures, an ethics framework and legal agreements with stakeholders that include researchers, data custodians and patients. The design and structure of the BMCKD permits its inclusion in a wide variety of research and clinical activities. Conclusion The BMCKD is a core multidisciplinary facility that will bridge basic and clinical research and integrate precision medicine into renal pathology and nephrology.Item Open Access Validation of a case definition to define chronic dialysis using outpatient administrative data(BioMed Central, 2011-03-01) Clement, Fiona M.; James, Matthew T; Chin, Rick; Klarenbach, Scott W.; Manns, Braden J.; Quinn, Robert R.; Ravani, Pietro; Tonelli, Marcello; Hemmelgarn, Brenda R.; Alberta Kidney Disease Network