The present book is a collection of original manuscripts describing the rationale, the mechanisms and the clinical application of special dialysis techniques such as On-Line Hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF), Expanded Hemodialysis (HDx) and Hemoadsorption combined with Hemodialysis (HAHD): what we call today the 'triad of special treatments of uremia'. These extracorporeal techniques represent a new frontier in the area of extracorporeal blood purification for patients with end stage kidney disea...

2023 is the time to collect available knowledge and basic concepts around extracorporeal blood purification in a book that may become the basis for expansion of awareness in the scientific community and a stimulus for new studies and new discoveries by scientists and investigators. We need to answer the question for hemoadsorption that we answered in the last four decades for hemodialysis and CRRT. The pathway towards the new frontier of hemoadsorption starts from this book.

Associated with both acute kidney injury (AKI) and cardio-renal syndromes (CRS), new biomarkers represent both a popular area of investigation and a new opportunity for advancement of therapy. This book contains the resolutions of the most recent ADQI conferences on biomarkers in AKI (Dublin) and on cardio-renal syndromes (Venice). The first part answers specific questions about new biomarkers and their use and utility in AKI: What are the most suitable candidate molecules and physiologic ...

Ultrasound imaging techniques are an indispensable complement to physical examination, which is often frustrating, if not useless, for diagnosing kidney problems. The application of ultrasound techniques in clinical routine helps clinicians to rule out, at first glance, some serious pathological conditions and to concentrate on the accurate diagnosis of the patient. Moreover, sonography can extend the spectrum of diagnostic criteria in acute kidney diseases. It makes it possible to determi...

The enormous progress made during the last decade has resulted in a better conceptual understanding of mineral ion metabolism in general. With regard to chronic kidney disease, the two most affected nutrients are phosphate and vitamin D. This book provides an overview of the physiological aspects of phosphate and vitamin D metabolism, and how their pathological dysregulation facilitates advancement of chronic kidney disease. It looks into the complex molecular and organ cross-talks during ...

This publication contains the most recent findings in the field as presented by the outstanding faculty of the 2012 International Vicenza Course on Peritoneal Dialysis. After 30 years, this course is still one of the main educational events in the field of peritoneal dialysis as well as other disciplines including CKD, hemodialysis and critical care nephrology. The publication of the book in time for the course represents another success of the Vicenza team. The experts of the world and th...

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a complex syndrome that is prevalent among hospitalized patients. In recent years, occurrence of AKI events has risen due to a growing susceptibility of fragile and elderly subjects and an increase in the use of complex procedures such as cardiovascular surgery and imaging techniques. Exposure to potentially nephrotoxic drugs, such as new chemotherapeutic agents, is also proving to be a cause of AKI. This book summarizes recent advances in various settings. A r...

The presence of endotoxin in the bloodstream is the consequence of an immunological response triggered by bacterial invasion of the host. This condition leads to altered cardiovascular function, lung dysfunction and acute kidney injury. Removing as much as possible of the circulating endotoxin is therefore imperative to mitigate its biological and clinical effects at the cellular, tissue and organ levels. The publication at hand summarizes the basic mechanisms, rationale and clinical resul...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an established risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Stroke, on the other hand, is not only a major player in cardiovascular disease, but it also has strong two-way relationships with CKD. Moreover, subclinical cerebral abnormalities are also associated with CKD. But despite all these connections, the cerebro-renal interaction has so far not received much attention. This book includes easily understandable reviews on brain, stroke and kidney by both exper...

Acute organ damage and the ensuing multiple organ failure are the result of a pathophysiological process involving various cytokines. Once activated, these proteins cannot be eliminated even when the kidneys function at their maximum capacity. To counteract this mechanism, researchers in Japan have developed an innovative concept employing blood purification to remove the overwhelming cytokines. This book describes the use of hemodiafiltration to inhibit the cytokine storms which cause ser...

Chronic kidney disease is a global major health issue that ultimately leads to end-stage renal disease, a devastating condition requiring costly renal replacement therapy. Given this background, extensive understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease and exploring novel therapeutic targets will help to alleviate disease progression, improve prognosis and reduce its impact on the global economic burden. Currently, primary glomerulonephritis is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease ...

The buttonhole method for the cannulation of the arteriovenous fistula was discovered more than 40 years ago and was soon adopted on a wide scale due to its obvious benefits of decreased puncture pain and extension of the life of the arteriovenous fistula. Following reports of complications such as a higher incidence of access-related infections, the method has lately been the subject of intense scrutiny; recent research has focused on the mechanisms of buttonhole access-related infections...