Parathyroidectomy and patient survival in CKD patients

Surgery for Renal Hyperparathyroidism in the Era of Cinacalcet: A Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

There are only few data on the influence of cinacalcet on the outcome of parathyroidectomy in patients with renal hyperparathyroidism. Indication and timing of surgery have changed since its introduction, especially with regard to kidney transplantation. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism in our institution.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between 2008 and 2015, 196 consecutive operations in 191 patients were analyzed. About 80 operations (41%) were performed in patients receiving cinacalcet compared with 116 operations (59%) in patients without cinacalcet. Clinical data, preoperative medication, pre- and postoperative laboratory values, type and details of surgery including complications, as well as cardiovascular complications and kidney transplantation with graft function were recorded.

RESULTS

Demographical data were similar in patients with or without cinacalcet treatment. A total of 54% of patients received a kidney graft before or after parathyroidectomy. Pre- and postoperative parathormone levels were similar in both groups (preoperatively 755 vs 742 ng/L, postoperatively 50 vs 46 ng/L, p > 0.10), whereas patients with cinacalcet showed significantly lower calcium levels preoperatively (2.28 vs 2.41 mmol/L, p = 0.0002). There was no difference in recurrence or persistence of hyperparathyroidism, duration of surgery, hospital stay, or complication rate. Creatinine levels in patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism were similar after 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Cinacalcet did not influence outcome of patients with parathyroidectomy for renal hyperparathyroidism and can be safely offered to patients not responding to medical treatment.

CKD-MBD management: what is the role of parathyroidectomy? Results from a nationwide survey in Italy

We herein report on a nationwide survey conducted in Italy to investigate the use of parathyroidectomy (PTX). In spite of the availability of newer and more effective drugs to control chronic kidney disease mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) biochemical abnormalities, PTX still remains a resource for nephrologists to use. However, observational analyses suggest that in recent years there has been a constant decline in the number of patients undergoing PTX. The reasons are not clear, though the increasing age and number of comorbidities of dialysis patients may partly explain this trend. Poor adherence to guidelines and/or geographical as well as logistic factors may also contribute to the lower use of PTX. The working group on CKD-MBD of the Italian Society of Nephrology launched a nationwide survey to investigate clinical practice patterns for PTX in Italy and identify modifiable factors that may limit accessibility to surgery.

Value of Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone Assay during Parathyroidectomy in Dialysis and Renal Transplant Patients with Secondary and Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism

BACKGROUND

In dialysis and renal transplant patients with secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism (HPT), the value of intraoperative parathyroid hormone (ioPTH) during parathyroidectomy (PTX) and its association with long-term PTH levels are unknown. The present study aims at evaluating the relationship of ioPTH with long-term PTH levels post-PTX in dialysis and renal transplant patients in a single-center study.

METHODS

The ioPTH was measured in 57 dialysis patients (33 females and 24 males) and 18 renal transplant recipients (12 males and 6 females) who underwent PTX from 2005 to 2015 for refractory HPT. Near-total PTX was performed in 56 patients and total PTX with autotransplantation in 20 patients. The PTH monitoring included 3 samples: pre-intubation, 10- and 20-min (pre-ioPTH, 10-ioPTH, and 20-ioPTH) post parathyroid gland excision. Patients were followed up for up to 5 years.

RESULTS

In the dialysis group, the median (25th-75th percentile) pre-, 10-, and 20-ioPTH levels were 1,447 pg/mL (938-2,176), 143 pg/mL (78-244) and 112 pg/mL (59-153) respectively. In the renal transplant group, pre-, 10-, and 20-ioPTH levels were 273 pg/mL (180-403), 42 pg/mL (25-72), and 34 pg/mL (23-45) respectively. All patients in the transplant group had a functional kidney transplant at the time of PTX with a median serum creatinine of 1.3 mg/dL (1.2-1.7) and estimated glomerular filtration rate of 55 mL/min (40-60). The median time between renal transplant and PTX surgeries was 22 months (7-81). The last median follow-up PTH level was 66 pg/mL (15-201) in the dialysis group and 54 pg/mL (17-72) in the transplant group (p = 0.438). The mean time for last PTH post-PTX was 2.3 ± 2.0 years. In both groups, there was no significant difference between 20-ioPTH and any-time post-PTX PTH levels (p = 0.6 and p = 0.9). Nineteen patients (25%) were readmitted within 90 days because of hypocalcemia. One patient in the dialysis group was readmitted for post-PTX hematoma evacuation. No patient required repeat PTX because of recurrent HPT that was refractory to medical therapy. Only one dialysis patient required repeat PTX because the first procedure failed.

CONCLUSIONS

The 20-ioPTH is a good indicator of long-term PTH levels in dialysis and renal transplant patients. Hypocalcemia is a common complication, particularly in dialysis patients, and it is the main reason for readmission after PTX. Hypoparathyroidism is a potential concern after PTX in dialysis patients.

[Management of secondary hyperparathyroidism-current impact of parathyroidectomy]

Parathyroidectomy still presents an adequate and efficient therapeutic option for the management of refractory secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT). Dependent on the selected surgical technique it allows the highest rate of "laboratory cure" of sHPT. The question remains as to whether these improvements translate into clinical long-term benefits regarding the sHPT-associated vascular calcification and the increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality as well as overall mortality. Recent large observational studies point in this direction but definite evidence through prospective randomized controlled trials is still lacking.