Related Experiment Videos

[Plasma levels of homocysteine in patients on hemodiafiltration]

M Gonella1, G Calabrese, M Scancarello

  • 1Servizio di Nefrologia e Dialisi, ASL n. 21, Regione Piemonte, Ospedale S. Spirito, Casale Monferrato, Alessandria.

Minerva Urologica E Nefrologica = the Italian Journal of Urology and Nephrology
|March 3, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Dialysis effectively lowers homocysteine levels in patients with kidney failure. Supplementing with vitamin B12 showed a weak link to reduced homocysteine, but folate did not significantly impact levels.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nutritional Science

Context:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemia is a significant cardiovascular disease risk factor, prevalent in patients undergoing regular dialysis treatment.
  • Hemodialysis is known to reduce plasma homocysteine levels, with varying efficacy.
  • Folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation have been proposed to further decrease homocysteine concentrations.

Purpose:

  • To assess plasma homocysteine levels in patients undergoing hemodiafiltration.
  • To evaluate the impact of vitamin B12 and folate supplementation on homocysteine levels in these patients.
  • To maintain normal plasma levels of vitamin B12 and folate through supplementation.

Summary:

  • The study confirmed elevated homocysteine levels in patients on regular dialysis treatment (RDT).
  • Hemodiafiltration demonstrated efficiency in reducing pre-dialysis homocysteine concentrations.
  • A weak negative correlation was observed between pre-dialysis homocysteine and vitamin B12 plasma levels, but no significant correlation with folic acid levels.

Impact:

  • Hemodiafiltration with high-permeability membranes effectively removes homocysteine.
  • The study did not confirm a significant negative correlation between folate levels and homocysteine plasma levels.
  • Findings contribute to understanding homocysteine management in dialysis patients.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Hemoperfusion and Hemofiltration01:25

Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Hemoperfusion and Hemofiltration

Hemoperfusion and hemofiltration are critical techniques in medical treatments to eliminate accumulated drugs, metabolites, and electrolytes from the bloodstream. These methods are particularly vital in cases of accidental poisoning and drug overdose.Hemoperfusion involves passing blood through an adsorbent material to remove unwanted substances. The main adsorbents used in hemoperfusion include activated charcoal and Amberlite resins. Activated charcoal can adsorb both polar and nonpolar...
Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications01:24

Hemodialysis II: Procedure and Complications

DialyzersA hemodialysis (HD) dialyzer is a plastic cartridge containing thousands of parallel hollow fibers, which serve as semipermeable membranes. These fibers are typically made from cellulose-based or other synthetic materials. During HD, blood is pumped into the top of the cartridge and distributed among these fibers. Simultaneously, dialysis fluid, known as dialysate, is introduced into the bottom of the cartridge, bathing the outside of the fibers. Across the semipermeable membrane,...
Hemodialysis I: Introduction01:25

Hemodialysis I: Introduction

Hemodialysis (HD) is a medical treatment that artificially removes waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to perform these functions effectively. In this process, blood is filtered through a semipermeable membrane, allowing for the selective removal of waste while preserving necessary components like blood cells and proteins. Hemodialysis is typically performed in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or severe kidney...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management01:25

Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management

The nursing management of a patient undergoing hemodialysis includes several critical steps, starting with a thorough assessment before the procedure.Before the Hemodialysis ProcedureFirst, record the patient's vital signs—blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature—to establish a baseline. This baseline is essential for detecting conditions such as hypotension that could impact the patient's response to dialysis. Document the patient's pre-dialysis weight, as this measurement...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow01:26

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow

Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug binding...