Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Leads in CKD and ESRD Patients: Review and Recommendations for Practice

Lead management in patients undergoing percutaneous tricuspid valve replacement or repair: a 'heart team' approach

Clinically significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has historically been managed with either medical therapy or surgical interventions. More recently, percutaneous trans-catheter tricuspid valve (TV) replacement and tricuspid trans-catheter edge-to-edge repair have emerged as alternative treatment modalities. Patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have an increased incidence of TR. Severe TR in this population can occur for multiple reasons but most often results from the interactions between the CIED lead and the TV apparatus. Management decisions in patients with CIED leads and clinically significant TR, who are undergoing evaluation for a percutaneous TV intervention, need careful consideration as a trans-venous lead extraction (TLE) may both worsen and improve TR severity. Furthermore, given the potential risks of 'jailing' a CIED lead at the time of a percutaneous TV intervention (lead fracture and risk of subsequent infections), consideration should be given to performing a TLE prior to a percutaneous TV intervention. The purpose of this 'state-of-the-art' review is to provide an overview of the causes of TR in patients with CIEDs, discuss the available therapeutic options for patients with TR and CIED leads, and advocate for including a lead management specialist as a member of the 'heart team' when making treatment decisions in patients TR and CIED leads.

Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator: A Contemporary Overview

The difference between subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (S-ICDs) and transvenous ICDs (TV-ICDs) concerns a whole extra thoracic implantation, including a defibrillator coil and pulse generator, without endovascular components. The improved safety profile has allowed the S-ICD to be rapidly taken up, especially among younger patients. Reports of its role in different cardiac diseases at high risk of SCD such as hypertrophic and arrhythmic cardiomyopathies, as well as channelopathies, is increasing. S-ICDs show comparable efficacy, reliability, and safety outcomes compared to TV-ICD. However, some technical issues (i.e., the inability to perform anti-bradycardia pacing) strongly limit the employment of S-ICDs. Therefore, it still remains only an alternative to the traditional ICD thus far. This review aims to provide a contemporary overview of the role of S-ICDs compared to TV-ICDs in clinical practice, including technical aspects regarding device manufacture and implantation techniques. Newer outlooks and future perspectives of S-ICDs are also brought up to date.

How does a CIED presence influence chances and safety of haemodialysis access? Conclusions from over 3000 thoracic venografies

Patients requiring temporal or permanent catheter or arterio-venous fistula (AVF) for haemodialysis may be in challenging situation, if they are cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) carriers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The authors analysed preoperative venogrphies of 3100 patients referred for transvenous lead extraction for a possible chance of safe haemodialysis catheter (HC) implantation or proper AVF function.

RESULTS

A chance of safe catheter implantation parallel to existing leads reaches 68.8% ipsilaterally to CIED. Contraindications for implantation have been found in less than 2% of cases contralaterally. Ipsilaterally proper AVF function chance has been found in 50.3% of the cases and almost 98% contralaterally. A bilateral chest electrodes location require the special attention. Abandoned lead, lead burden, bilateral leads, additional lead implantation or abandonment, and implant duration may have a significant influence on HC insertion or proper function of arteriovenous fistula.

CONCLUSION

(1) Obstruction of prominent thoracic veins is a frequent finding in CIED carriers and may impede or disable implantation haemodialysis accesses. (2) Implantation of temporary or permanent HC may be questionable ipsilaterally to the CIED in 31.2% and contralaterally in 2.0% of patients. Proper function of AVF is uncertain in 49.7% ipsilaterally and 2.1% contralaterally to CIED. (3) Pacing history and leads dwell time influence chances of success haemodialysis access even on the free-from CIED chest side. (4) Proper venous flow evaluation seems to be valuable in CIED carriers before an attempt of haemodialysis access formation, even contralaterally.

The role of stents in hemodialysis vascular access

Vascular access is the Achilles' heel of dialysis therapy among patient with end stage kidney disease. The development of neointimal hyperplasia and subsequent stenosis is common in vascular access and is associated with significant morbidity. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty using balloon inflation was the standard therapy of these lesions. However, the balloon-based approaches were associated with poor vascular access patency rate necessitating new inventions. It is within this context that different types of stents were developed in order to improve the overall dialysis vascular access functionality. In this article, we review the available literature regarding the use of stents in treating dialysis vascular access stenotic lesions. Further, we review the major clinical trials of stent use in different anatomic locations and in different clinical scenarios.

Prevention and Management of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infections: State-of-the-Art and Future Directions

Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection is an increasingly common complication of device therapy. CIED infection confers significant patient morbidity and health care expenditure, hence it is essential that clinicians recognise the contemporary strategies for predicting, reducing and treating these events. Recent technological advances-in particular, the development of antimicrobial envelopes, leadless devices and validated risk scores-present decision-makers with novel strategies for managing this expanding patient population. This review summarises the key issues facing CIED patients and their physicians, and explores the supporting evidence for the latest therapeutic developments in this field.

Transvenous or subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator: a review to aid decision-making

The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a proven treatment for preventing sudden cardiac death. Transvenous leads are associated with significant mortality and morbidity, and the subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) addresses this. However, it is not without limitations, in particular the absence of anti-tachycardia pacing. The decision of which device is most suitable for an individual patient is often complex. Here, we review the relative merits and weaknesses of both the transvenous and S-ICD. We summarise the available evidence for each device in particular patient cohorts, namely: ischaemic and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy, idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, Brugada syndrome, long QT syndrome, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Iatrogenic Infective Endocarditis in Hemodialysis Patients: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Foreign bodies such as implanted cardiac devices are susceptible to infections and may be involved in infective endocarditis. Exposure to pathogens, by frequent use of intravascular accesses for hemodialysis (i.e., catheters or fistulas), combined with high rates of degenerative heart valve diseases in hemodialysis patients, both favor the development of infective endocarditis in this population. The mitral and aortic valves are predominantly implicated in endocardial infections. The involvement of both mitral and tricuspid valves is rare in the general population but can occur in hemodialysis patients with implanted cardiac devices. Infective endocarditis is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates among hemodialysis patients, mostly because of the complications of septic emboli. Prevention, prophylaxis, and early diagnosis of endocarditis can be lifesaving in this fragile population. We report a case of right and left heart methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis with cerebral septic emboli in an elderly hemodialysis patient carrier of an arteriovenous fistula and an ipsilateral nonleadless pacemaker.

Effects of Electrical Stimulation of Acupoints on Xerostomia for Patients Who Undergo Hemodialysis

Xerostomia plays a major role in higher interdialytic weight gain (IDWG), which causes cardiovascular complications in patients who undergo hemodialysis. However, few studies have determined a method to manage xerostomia. This study determines the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on hemodialysis patients with xerostomia and the percentage of IDWG. The study was a single-blind and quasi-experimental study. There are 75 participants: 37 in the TEAS group and 38 in the contrast group. The TEAS group used 250 µs and 50 Hz and the contrast group used 50 µs and 2 Hz three times a week for 3 weeks to stimulate ST 6 and TE17 acupoints. The salivary flow rates, dry mouth, and %IDWG were determined before, during and one week after the program. Compared with the contrast group, the TEAS group showed a significantly improved salivary flow rate (mL/min) (F (2, 123) = 15.28, p < 0.0001), and patients recovered their normal salivary flow rate. However, the results show that both groups showed significant improvement in dry mouth after treatment. The TEAS group demonstrated no effect in terms of %IDWG, as expected. The results show that a TEAS program is an effective means of symptom management for xerostomia patients who undergo hemodialysis. A TEAS program can be used to manage symptoms for xerostomia patients who undergo hemodialysis.

Central Venoplasty in Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of the central venous angioplasty in patients with central venous occlusion and cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) without lead extraction.

Materials and Methods A retrospective study was used to evaluate the effectiveness of 37 central venous angioplasty procedure for 15 patients with CIED without lead extraction.

Results Technical success was achieved in 97% (n = 36/37) and clinical success was achieved in 89% (33/37) of the procedures. One procedure failed recanalization of chronic total occlusion of the left subclavian vein, and the patient required fistula embolization due to severe arm swelling. Another procedure failed initially to recanalize long-segment occlusion involving the right subclavian vein/brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava in a patient with a history of Hickman line and left-sided CIED. This was successfully recanalized and angioplastied on a subsequent session. No lead fracture or dislodgment was documented in any procedure. No procedure-related complication was documented within 2 weeks after the angioplasty. Six-month primary patency was achieved in 62% (23/37) of the procedures. Ten patients (66%) required an average of 1.4 reinterventions (range: 1–4 interventions) during the follow-up time with mean time to reintervention of 318 days (5–1,380 days). Two patients required early reinterventions within 10 days due to catheter dysfunction.

Conclusion Findings of this study support the existing evidence on the safety and effectiveness of balloon angioplasty without lead extraction.

Lead-related superior vena cava syndrome: Management and outcomes

BACKGROUND

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome includes the clinical sequalae of facial and bilateral upper extremity edema, dizziness, and occasional syncope. Historically, most cases have been associated with malignancy and treatment is palliative. However, cardiac device leads have been identified as important nonmalignant causes of this syndrome. There are little data on the effectiveness of venoplasty and lead extraction in the management of these patients.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to report the findings associated with the use of balloon angioplasty and lead extraction in the management of 17 patients with lead induced SVC syndrome.

METHODS

Data collected from January 2003 to July 2019 identified 17 cases of SVC syndrome at our tertiary center. Their outcomes were compared to a control group of patients without SVC syndrome. A P value of <.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Of the 17 patients, 13 (76%) underwent transvenous lead extraction and venoplasty. Three patients (18%) were treated with venoplasty alone, and 1 patient (6%) underwent surgical SVC reconstruction. In 10 patients (59%), transvenous reimplantation was necessary. Symptom resolution was achieved in all 17 patients and confirmed at both 6 and 12 months' follow-up. There was no significant difference in the rate of complications associated with transvenous lead extraction for SVC syndrome vs control.

CONCLUSION

In patients with SVC syndrome, venoplasty and lead extraction are safe and effective for resolution of symptoms and maintaining SVC patency.

KDOQI Clinical Practice Guideline for Vascular Access: 2019 Update

The National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) has provided evidence-based guidelines for hemodialysis vascular access since 1996. Since the last update in 2006, there has been a great accumulation of new evidence and sophistication in the guidelines process. The 2019 update to the KDOQI Clinical Practice Guideline for Vascular Access is a comprehensive document intended to assist multidisciplinary practitioners care for chronic kidney disease patients and their vascular access. New topics include the end-stage kidney disease "Life-Plan" and related concepts, guidance on vascular access choice, new targets for arteriovenous access (fistulas and grafts) and central venous catheters, management of specific complications, and renewed approaches to some older topics. Appraisal of the quality of the evidence was independently conducted by using a Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, and interpretation and application followed the GRADE Evidence to Decision frameworks. As applicable, each guideline statement is accompanied by rationale/background information, a detailed justification, monitoring and evaluation guidance, implementation considerations, special discussions, and recommendations for future research.

[Thoracic Central Venous Occlusive Disease and Haemodialysis Access]

Benign central venous thoracic occlusion is a frequent issue in haemodialysis patients. Symptomatic stenosis affects quality of life and can cause dysfunction of arteriovenous access or make it impossible to implant a haemodialysis catheter. Common risk factors for the development of the occlusions are central venous catheters and cardiac rhythm devices. The gold standard for diagnosis is venous angiography. Treatment of asymptomatic lesions can lead to clinical deterioration and should be avoided. The primary method of treatment for symptomatic patients is endovascular therapy. Repeat balloon angioplasty is a standard therapy. In case of elastic recoiling or early recurrence, placement of bare metal stent or stent graft could be considered. Surgical options should be preserved only for refractory cases. Further randomised trials are needed to prove the efficacy of new devices, such as dedicated venous stents and drug coated balloons.

Kidney transplantation and cardiomyopathy: Concepts and controversies in clinical decision-making

Increasing comorbidities and an aging population have led to a tremendous increase in the burden of both kidney and cardiac dysfunction. Concomitant cardiomyopathy exposes the patients with kidney disease to further physiological, hemodynamic, and pathologic alterations. Kidney transplantation imposes lesser anesthetic and surgical complexities compared to another solid organ transplant. The surgical decision-making remains an unsettled issue in these conditions. The surgical choices, techniques, and sequences in kidney transplant and cardiac surgery depend on the pathophysiological perturbations and perioperative outcomes. The absence of randomized controlled trials eludes us from suggesting definite management protocol in patients with end-stage kidney disease with cardiomyopathy. Nevertheless, in this review, we extracted data from published literature to understand the pathophysiologic interactions between end-stage renal diseases with cardiomyopathy and also proposed the management algorithm in this challenging scenario. The proposed management algorithm would ensure consensus across all stakeholders involved in decision-making. Our simplistic evidence-based approach would augur future randomized trials and would further ensure refinement in our management approach after the emergence of more definitive evidence.

Pulsatile tinnitus as a presenting symptom of central venous stenosis secondary to an ipsilateral upper arm arteriovenous PTFE graft

A 51-year-old man presented with a swollen left arm and unilateral pulsatile tinnitus 2 weeks after a left upper arm polytetrafluoroethylene graft was created for haemodialysis access. A fistulogram of the left upper arm showed a central venous stenosis and significant retrograde flow up the left internal jugular vein. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was attempted unsuccessfully and fistula ligation was subsequently performed. This led to immediate resolution of the tinnitus. The venous stenosis was likely secondary to a cardiac resynchronisation therapy defibrillator, which had been removed 1 year previously. Central venous stenosis is a common but often asymptomatic complication of a cardiac device, with the exception of patients with upper extremity arteriovenous fistulas, who frequently develop symptomatic venous hypertension. This generally presents with ipsilateral arm swelling and/or high venous pressures during dialysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pulsatile tinnitus arising in this context.

Hybrid venous recanalization and cardiac implantable electronic device lead revision procedures: A single-center retrospective analysis of 38 patients

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to describe the safety and efficacy of hybrid recanalization procedures in a series of patients with obstructed central veins requiring cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) revision.

METHODS

Between 2008 and 2016, 38 consecutive patients (24 M; age 60.5 ± 16.2 years; range 25-87 years) with central venous obstruction underwent 42 recanalization interventions performed in conjunction with CIED revision or extraction. Fifty percent of patients (19/38) presented with veno-occlusive symptoms, and 13% (5/38) of patients had CIED leads with an ipsilateral upper extremity dialysis conduit.

RESULTS

Ninety-one percent (38/42) of all procedures resulted in successful recanalization and CIED revision. Twenty-four percent (9/38) of all patients required secondary procedures due to recurrent stenosis, and 78% (7/9) of those requiring secondary procedures had indwelling dialysis conduits and/or clinical symptoms related to venous occlusion before the initial procedure. There were complications in 2 patients related to recanalization, and in 3 related to CIED revision.

CONCLUSIONS

Recanalization of central venous stenosis/occlusion in patients with CIED can be technically challenging but is successful in most patients. Symptomatic patients and those with dialysis conduits often require more aggressive revascularization interventions and may be at increased risk of complication or need for secondary interventions.

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators in Patients with ESRD: Complications, Management, and Literature Review

Background:

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among dialysis pa-tients, accounting for about 40% of all their mortalities. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is culpable for 37.5% of all deaths among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) should be considered in dialysis patients for the primary or secondary preven-tion of SCD. Recent studies on the implementation of ICD/cardiac resynchronization therapy do not exclude patients with ESRD; however, individualized decisions should be made in this group of pa-tients. A thorough evaluation of the benefits of ICD implementation in patients with ESRD requires several large-scale mortality studies to compare and follow up patients with ESRD with and without ICDs. In the present study, we sought to determine and clarify the complications associated with ICD implementation and management thereof in patients suffering from ESRD.

Methods:

To assess the complications allied to the implementation of ICDs and their management in patients with ESRD, we reviewed available related articles in the literature.

Results and Conclusions:

ICD implementation in dialysis patients has several complications, which has limited its usage. Based on our literature review, the complications of ICD implementation can be categorized as follows: (1) Related to implantation procedures, hematoma, and pneumothorax; (2) Re-lated to the device/lead such as lead fracture and lead dislodgment; (3) Infection; and (4) Central vein thrombosis. Hence, the management of the complications of ICDs in this specific group of patients is of vital importance.

Simultaneous leadless pacemaker and subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation-When vascular options have run out

An end-stage renal failure patient who was planned for a left brachioaxillary arteriovenous graft required an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for secondary prevention of ventricular tachycardia and a pacemaker for complete heart block but was found to have a right subclavian venous occlusion. Due to the lack of vascular access, we performed a successful subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) and leadless pacemaker implantation. There was no interaction between the devices at the time of implantation, during defibrillation testing and following an appropriate defibrillation therapy.

Impact of transvenous cardiac implantable electronic devices in chronic hemodialysis patients: a single-center, observational comparative study

Background

We investigated the impact of a transvenous cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) placement on outcomes and arteriovenous vascular access (VA) patency among chronic hemodialysis patients.

Methods

This is a single-center, observational comparative study between chronic hemodialysis patients with ipsilateral and contralateral CIED and VA. Forty-two consecutive patients who underwent both CIED placement and upper-extremity VA for hemodialysis, regardless of the sequence and time interval between these 2 procedures, were identified between January 2001 and December 2017. Patients with ipsilateral (n = 22, 52%, the ipsilateral group) and contralateral (n = 20, 48%, the contralateral group) CIED and VA were compared retrospectively; the primary outcome was any-cause mortality and cardiac mortality or the composite of any systemic complications, defined as central venous stenosis or occlusion, any device infections or tricuspid regurgitation; the secondary outcome was CIED or VA malfunction.

Results

During the median follow-up period of 101 months, primary outcome incidence was significantly higher in the ipsilateral group than the contralateral group (73% vs 40%, P = 0.03), although the incidences of any-cause mortality (P = 0.28) and cardiac mortality (P > 0.99) were similar between the groups. Secondary outcome incidence did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (55% vs 30%, P = 0.36). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed similar primary and secondary VA patency rates in both groups. On subgroup analysis, patients with upper arm VA had similar primary and secondary patency to those with forearm VA.

Conclusions

Despite some notable limitations of the study, the retrospective study design and small sample size, we found that the any-cause mortality incidence and VA patency did not differ between the 2 groups, but primary outcome incidence was significantly higher among patients with ipsilateral CIED and VA.

Arteriovenous Fistula and Graft Construction in Patients with Implantable Cardiac Devices: Does Side Matter?

BACKGROUND

Limited reports have documented the effect cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have on arteriovenous (AV) access patency. Current recommendations suggest placing the access on the contralateral side of the CIEDs, as there is concern for increased central venous stenosis and access failure. The goal of this study is to review our single-center AV access patency rates for dialysis patients with an ipsilateral or contralateral side CIED.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed from 2008 to 2016 at a single institution identifying all patients who have received a CIED and the diagnosis of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Medical records were queried to identify each patient's dialysis access and whether it was ipsilateral or contralateral to the CIED. Primary outcomes of study were primary and secondary patency rates.

RESULTS

A total of 44 patients were identified to have ESRD and CIED. Of these patients, 28 patients with fistulas or grafts (13 ipsilateral and 15 contralateral) had follow-up with regards to their AV access. There were 3 primary failures in both groups. For patients who had the CIED placed after already starting the dialysis, patency was based on when the cardiac device was implanted. Primary patency for ipsilateral and contralateral access was 20.2 and 22.2 months, respectively. With secondary interventions, ipsilateral and contralateral mean patency was 39 and 48.8 months, respectively. Six-month and 1-year primary patency for arteriovenous fistula or arteriovenous graft on patients with ipsilateral access was 69.2% and 53.8%, respectively. Ipsilateral 1-year cumulative patency was 39 months.

CONCLUSIONS

CIED may lead to stenosis or occlusion to one's AV access; however, primary assisted and secondary patency rates are still acceptable at 6 months and 1 year compared to Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative guidelines. Despite a CIED, a surgeon's algorithm should not lead to the abandonment of an ipsilateral access if the central venous system is patent.

Prevalence of Central Vein Stenosis in Patients Referred for Vein Mapping

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Central vein stenosis is considered to be common in patients on hemodialysis but its exact prevalence is not known. In this study, we report the prevalence of central vein stenosis in patients with CKD referred for vein mapping.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

We conducted a retrospective study of adult patients who had bilateral upper extremity venographic vein mapping from September 1, 2011 to December 31, 2015. Patients with and without stenosis were compared for differences in clinical or demographic characteristics. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent associations between patient characteristics and central vein stenosis.

RESULTS

There were 525 patients who underwent venographic vein mapping during the study period, 27% of whom were referred before initiation of hemodialysis. The mean age (±SD) and body mass index were 59 (±15) years and 28 (±7), respectively. Women accounted for 45% of patients; 82% were black. The prevalence of central vein stenosis was 10% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 8% to 13%) for the whole group, and 13% (95% CI, 10% to 17%) among patients with tunneled central venous dialysis catheters. Current use of tunneled hemodialysis catheters (odds ratio [OR], 14.5; 95% CI, 3.25 to 65.1), presence of cardiac rhythm devices (OR, 5.07; 95% CI, 1.82 to 14.11), previous history of fistula or graft (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.58 to 6.7), and history of previous kidney transplant (OR, 18; 95% CI, 4.7 to 68.8) were independently associated with central vein stenosis.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population, the prevalence of central vein stenosis was 10% and was clustered among those with tunneled hemodialysis catheters, cardiac rhythm device, and previous history of dialysis access or transplant.

Venous Hemodialysis Catheters and Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: Avoiding a High-Risk Combination

End-stage renal disease is frequently accompanied by cardiac comorbidity that warrants treatment with a cardiovascular implantable electronic device (permanent pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator). In the United States, chronic hemodialysis (HD) population, cardiac implantable devices are present in up to 10.5% of patients; a venous HD catheter is utilized for blood access in 18% of prevalent patients. The concomitant presence of a venous HD catheter and cardiovascular implantable device creates a high-risk circumstance, with potential for causing symptomatic central venous stenosis, and for developing complicated endovascular infection. This dangerous combination may be avoided for many patients by utilizing nondialysis methods for management of advanced chronic kidney disease, initiating dialysis without venous catheter access, or managing cardiac rhythm disorders without use of transvenous cardiac implantable electronic devices. In those situations where the combination of a venous HD catheter and cardiac implantable device is unavoidable, there are strategies to minimize duration of venous catheter access, and to reduce risks for infectious complications. It is essential for nephrologists and cardiologists to understand the indications, alternatives, and risks involved with venous HD access and cardiac implantable devices. Coordinated management of renal disease and cardiac rhythm disorders has potential to minimize risks, improve outcomes, and substantially reduce the cost of care.

Study on the clinical significance and related factors of thirst and xerostomia in maintenance hemodialysis patients

AIMS

To analyse the clinical significance and related factors of thirst and xerostomia and to find methods to alleviate thirst and xerostomia in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.

METHODS

Forty-two MHD patients were included for observational study and eleven patients were enrolled for crossover trial. Thirst was assessed by 100-mm visual analog scales (VAS) and dialysis thirst inventory (DTI). Meanwhile, xerostomia was assessed by VAS and xerostomia inventory (XI). Depression, kidney disease quality of life (KDQOL), salivary flow rates and inter dialytic weight gain (IDWG) were measured. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlations between continuous variables. The results of crossover trial were investigated by two-sample T-tests.

RESULTS

Strong positive correlations among DTI, VAS thirst score, XI and VAS xerostomia score were found (P=0.000). Daily IDWG was positively correlated with VAS thirst score (r=0.315, P=0.042) and DTI(r=0.391, P=0.010). UWS (unstimulated whole saliva) was negatively correlated with VAS xerostomia score (r=-0.308, P=0.048). Residual urine output was negatively correlated with DTI (r=-0.402, P=0.008), VAS xerostomia score (r=-0.461, P=0.002) and XI (r=-0.403, P=0.008). In the crossover trial, DTI, XI, IDWG2d, IDWG3d, VAS thirst and xerostomia score were significantly reduced by the use of chewing gum (P=0.000, 0.001, 0.009, 0.017, 0.038, 0.001). The VAS thirst score, DTI and IDWG3d were significantly reduced by receiveing straw (P=0.016, 0.003, 0.049).

CONCLUSION

Thirst and xerostomia might affect the quality of life in MHD patients. Both chewing gum and straw could decrease thirst and IDWG.