This book provides an overview of technical aspects in treatment of hemodialysis patients. Authors have contributed their most interesting findings in dealing with hemodialysis from the aspect of the tools and techniques used.Each chapter has been thoroughly revised and updated so the readers are acquainted with the latest data and observations in the area, where several aspects are to be considered. The book is comprehensive and not limited to a partial discussion of hemodialysis. To accomplish this we are pleased to have been able to summarize state of the art knowledge in each chapter of the book.

Hemodialysis therapy has become a well-established form of renal replacement, and due to continuous improvements in technology, a series of new biomaterials and techniques for the clinical routine have been developed. Nevertheless, cardiovascular disorders in hemodialysis and uremia represent one of the most important aspects of modern nephrological care. This publication is therefore dedicated to cardiovascular risk factors, the role of the endothelium, problems related to mineral disorders and finally to the possible impact of new technologies on the final outcome in hemodialysis. Being a state-of-the-art appraisal of today's technology and current issues in hemodialysis with special regard to cardiovascular disorders and risk factors, this book is a synthesis between an educational effort aimed at the newer generations of physicians and nurses in the field of hemodialysis and a state-of-the-art description of the most advanced technologies in this field. At the same time, the lessons learned from large international trials, either already completed or to be completed in the years to come, are presented.

The product of 15 years of intense collaborative research, this book explains the use of the pressure-volume diagram in evaluating cardiac performance. The authors describe the similarities between the ventricular pressure-volume relationship and the muscle tension-length relationship. The effects of various physiological mechanisms and pharmacological interventions are examined, as are the energetics of ventricular contractions and the hemodynamics of the entire circulatory system.

On-line HDF represents a major technical development in the delivery of hemodialysis therapy: It combines the properties of increased diffusion available in current high-flux membranes with convective removal of between 6 and 30 liters per treatment and requires the use of ultrapure water and online filtration of replacement fluid. On-line HDF has been successfully introduced in Europe and Asia and is routinely prescribed for dialysis patients in these regions.The book at hand summarizes the history and achievements of on-line HDF in four parts: A report of the technological development in both machine and fiber/dialyzer is followed by a description of the challenges encountered in the evolution of on-line HDF, collecting the accounts of clinical key opinion leaders who had been involved in its early application. The third part presents a comprehensive review of the clinical results achieved with on-line HDF from its inception to the present times, in which it represents the clinical golden standard. The fourth and final part is dedicated to on-line HDF as a ‘vision’ for the future.

Cardiovascular, respiratory, and related conditions cause more than 40 percent of all deaths globally, and their substantial burden is rising, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Their burden extends well beyond health effects to include significant economic and societal consequences. Most of these conditions are related, share risk factors, and have common control measures at the clinical, population, and policy levels. Lives can be extended and improved when these diseases are prevented, detected, and managed. This volume summarizes current knowledge and presents evidence-based interventions that are effective, cost-effective, and scalable in LMICs.

Known worldwide, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a disease that affects up to 4% of the population with increasing figures also in the developing countries. Life expectancy of patients affected by CKD is shortened compared to the overall population, and only a minority of patients reach end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with the need for dialysis or renal transplantation; death overtakes dialysis. In the 13 chapters, this book sheds light on the different aspects related to pathophysiology and clinical aspects of CKD, providing interesting insights into not only inflammation and cardiovascular risk but also the interplay of hormones and the functional aspects of endothelial function. In addition, chapters dealing with genetic aspects of polycystic kidney disease and also the clinical handling of patients with CKD and peritoneal dialysis will be beneficial for the open-minded reader.

Chronic kidney disease with a worldwide prevalence of 10% in the general population is emerging as a major public health priority. Renal dysfunction is associated with a high risk for cardiovascular complications. The relationship between renal insufficiency and cardiovascular disease, termed the cardiorenal syndrome exists whether impairment of renal function is a consequence of primary renal parenchymal disease or primary heart disease. Several pathophysiologic mechanisms have been postulated to explain the relationship between renal dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Recent studies indicate an integrated response of the vascular smooth muscles and glomerular mesangial cells to traditional and uremia related cardiovascular risk factors. Traditional risk factors can incite renal impairment and cardiac damage. As renal function deteriorates, uremia-related risk factors play an increasing role both in reduction in glomerular filtration rate and cardiovascular damage. Several uremia related factors such as uncontrolled hypertension, disturbed glucose insulin metabolism, microalbuminuria, phosphate retention, secondary hyperparathyroidism, myocardial and vascular calcification, hypertensive-uremic cardiomyopathy, inflammation, oxidant injury, and neurohormonal dysregulation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the cardiorenal syndrome. Recent data suggest that management of the cardiorenal syndrome requires aggressive control of traditional risk factors as well novel approaches to prevent or reverse uremia –related processes. This book provides a comprehensive update analysis of our current understanding of the cardiorenal syndrome including epidemiology, pathophysiologic mechanisms, and therapeutic approaches.

A concise handbook on clinical and technical possibilities The application of hemodiafiltration has been restricted until recently, when a broader clinical application has been made possible due to evidence from large studies and clinical investigations. This book provides an updated review of the evolution, advances and recent results achieved by hemodiafiltration in the clinical arena. The first part is devoted to historical notes and an outline of the evolution of different forms of hemodiafiltration, made possible by technological developments in the fields of membranes, machines and fluids. The next section describes the theoretical rationale for hemodiafiltration, providing a detailed analysis of the involved mass separation processes, the hydraulic properties of the dialyzers, fluid mechanics and crossfiltration in hollow fiber hemodialyzers. An outline of different hemodiafiltration techniques, also reporting peculiar transport mechanisms and related technology, is given next, and a section on the clinical effects of hemodiafiltration concludes this book. Including different technologies, the publication offers a complete overview of the technical and clinical possibilities provided by hemodiafiltration in its widest concept, ranging from the molecular basis to the most practical application. It will be a valuable tool for the implementation of hemodiafiltration in daily practice aimed at beginners and experts, scientists and physicians, students and senior faculty members alike.

The fourth report from the Nat. High Blood Pressure Educ. Program (NHBPEP) Working Group on Children & Adolescents. This report updates clinicians on the latest recommendations concerning the diagnosis, evaluation, & treatment of hypertension in children; recommendations are based on English-language, peer-reviewed, scientific evidence (from 1997 to 2004) & the consensus expert opinion of the NHBPEP Working Group. This report includes new data from the 1999-2000 Nat. Health & Nutrition Exam. Survey, as well as revised blood pressure tables that include the 50th, 90th, 95th, & 99th percentiles by sex, age, & height. Charts & tables.

This volume is a step-by-step educational echocardiography textbook from basic principles to advanced concepts. It is designed to rationalise and instruct readers on the rapid development in echocardiographic techniques, including real-time three-dimensional echocardiography, strain/strain rate imaging, and speckle tracking, which have greatly expanded the capabilities of cardiac imaging while overshadowing the importance of the basics of echocardiography. Case-Based Textbook of Echocardiography offers a comprehensive review of echocardiography from basic skills to advanced techniques, including practical information from recently published ASE/EACVI guidelines and explanatory movies and figures. Providing balance between the science and clinical pearls, it is of great interest for all trainee cardiologists and echocardiographers and helpful to all clinicians in cardiology, internal medicine, cardiac surgery, interventio nal cardiology and paediatric cardiology.