Cardiac Involvement in Chronic Kidney Disease: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Complications.

There is a complex interaction between the heart and kidneys. Cardiac and renal function are both affected physically, chemically, and biologically. In end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality.

Impact of living kidney donation on blood pressure and arterial stiffness: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42023480478) regarding the impact of kidney donation on arterial stiffness indices such as pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx), along with its effect on blood pressure.

Methods: We searched for publications related to kidney/renal donors, arterial stiffness, blood pressure, and cardiovascular risk, and included every study employing those terms. A p-value < 0.

Cystatin C as Biomarker for the Evaluation of Renal Outcome in AL Amyloidosis.

Cystatin C (CysC) has emerged as a novel and potentially more reliable biomarker for the estimation of glomerular filtration in the general population in patients with various conditions. In AL amyloidosis, the current renal staging system and renal response criteria are based on proteinuria and creatinine-based eGFR. We explored the prognostic role of CysC and of estimation of eGFR based on CysC-based equations in a cohort of 195 patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis with renal involvement.

Spirit Interim Analysis: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study of Outpatients with CKD and Decreased eGFR to Assess Therapeutic Algorithms, Disease Management and Quality of Life in Greece.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects 8-16% of the population worldwide and is characterized by an estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) of less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m for more than 3 months. The main purpose of the study is to record the treatment algorithms and disease management of patients presenting for the first time to hospital-based nephrologists with a reduced eGFR and CKD diagnosis, under real-world clinical practice in Greece.

Quality of Life of Donors After Living Kidney Transplantation: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Living kidney transplantation yields better outcomes for recipients than deceased donation, though it may present long-term challenges for donors. This study assessed the quality of life (QoL) of living kidney donors in Greece using the SF-36 questionnaire and examined associated sociodemographic and clinical factors. This cross-sectional study included 242 clinically stable kidney donors from Laiko General Hospital's Kidney Donor Outpatient Clinic in Athens.

Factors influencing early response of IgA nephropathy following targeted-release budesonide (TRB) treatment: preliminary results from a multicenter study.

Background: Formation of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) immunoglobulin is the initial step in the immunological cascade leading to IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Targeted-release budesonide (TRB), an evidence-based regimen without major side-effects, has recently been approved for IgAN treatment; herein we present our preliminary real-world data regarding prompt response to TRB.

Methods: Patients with primary IgAN who remained with Uprot >1 g/24 h despite conventional treatment for 6 months were started on TRB, and re-evaluated at 3 (T3) and 6 (T6) months.

Desensitization With Imlifidase for HLA-Incompatible Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation: A Delphi International Expert Consensus.

Highly sensitized (HS) patients in need of kidney transplantation (KTx) typically spend a longer time waiting for compatible kidneys, are unlikely to receive an organ offer, and are at increased risk of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Desensitization using imlifidase, which is more rapid and removes total body immunoglobulin G (IgG) to a greater extent than other methods, enables transplantation to occur between HLA-incompatible (HLAi) donor-recipient pairs and allows patients to have greater access to KTx. However, when the project was launched there was limited data and clinical experience with desensitization in general and with imlifidase specifically.

Safety Profile of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients with Lupus Nephritis: A Retrospective Study.

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has been vital in alleviating the spread of the recent pandemic. We aimed to estimate the frequency and type of adverse events related to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with lupus nephritis (LN), and assess its impact, if any, on the risk of subsequent reactivation of nephritis. This was a retrospective, multicenter study which included patients with biopsy-proven LN, who had received at least one vaccine dose.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Cardio-Renoprotective Pharmacological Interventions in Chronic Kidney Disease: An Umbrella Review of Network Meta-Analyses and a Multicriteria Decision Analysis.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1a), and non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (ns-MRA) are promising treatments for chronic kidney disease. This umbrella review of network meta-analyses evaluated their effects on cardiovascular outcomes, kidney disease progression, and adverse events, using the TOPSIS method to identify the optimal intervention based on P-scores. A total of 19 network meta-analyses and 44 randomized controlled trials involving 86,150 chronic kidney disease patients were included.

Renal survival and treatment of adult patients with Primary Focal Segmental glomerulosclerosis: A historical cohort study of the National Greek Registry.

Background/objective: Primary Focal and Segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is one of the most common causes of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Our aim was to describe a large cohort of patients with primary FSGS, identify risk factors associated with worse renal survival and assess the impact of different immunosuppressive regiments on renal survival.

Methods: This was a historical cohort study of adults who were diagnosed with primary FSGS from March 26, 1982, to September 16, 2020.

The clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with glomerular diseases and evaluation of the subsequent risk of relapse.

Introduction: This study aimed to describe the clinical course of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with glomerular diseases (GDs) and its impact on the probability of relapse.

Methods: Patients with biopsy-proven GD and positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 from glomerular clinics across Greece were studied retrospectively. Those who received the GD diagnosis after the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or ended in ESKD prior to infection were excluded.

Safety and Efficacy of Sodium-Glucose Transport Protein 2 Inhibitors and Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Diabetic Kidney Transplant Recipients: Synthesis of Evidence.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of novel antidiabetics, namely, sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA), in diabetic kidney transplant recipients. Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and Clinicaltrials.gov were systematically searched from inception until 25 August 2024.

Efficacy and safety of statin therapy in kidney transplant recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Dyslipidemia represents an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, although its optimal management after kidney transplantation remains unclear. The present meta-analysis aimed to shed light on the efficacy and safety of statins among kidney transplant recipients, evaluating their potential effects on the risk of cardiovascular events, mortality and graft survival.

Methods: Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, Clinicaltrials.

Immunosuppressives discontinuation after renal response in lupus nephritis: predictors of flares, time to withdrawal and long-term outcomes.

Objectives: The optimal duration of immunosuppressive (IS) treatment for lupus nephritis (LN) remains uncertain. We assessed the prevalence and predictors of IS tapering and discontinuation (D/C) in LN patients.

Methods: Data from 137 inception cohort LN patients were analysed.

Galectin-3 in chronic kidney disease.

Background And Aims: High serum galectin-3 has been associated with adverse outcomes among dialysis patients, although its prognostic role remains unclear among individuals with earlier-stage chronic kidney disease. The present systematic review aims to evaluate the association of serum galectin-3 with survival, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease progression among non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL and Google Scholar were systematically searched till November 10, 2023.

Association of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 with mortality and adverse outcomes in chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Early risk stratification is necessary to prevent chronic kidney disease progression and complications. This systematic review aims to evaluate the association of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2), a member of the interleukin-1 receptor family, with all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease and renal function deterioration among chronic kidney disease patients.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL and Google Scholar were systematically searched from inception to December 20, 2023.

Recurrence of Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy in the Kidney Allograft: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: The recurrence of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (iMN) after kidney transplantation is common, although its exact clinical significance remains unclear. This systematic review aims to elucidate the effects of iMN recurrence on graft survival.

Materials And Methods: A literature search was performed by systematically searching Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from inception.

Association of serum galectin-3 levels with mortality and cardiovascular disease outcomes in hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

Background: Galectin-3 has been proposed as a candidate marker for cardiovascular risk stratification, although its role in kidney failure is unclear. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the association of serum galectin-3 levels with overall survival and cardiovascular outcomes among hemodialysis patients.

Methods: Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and CENTRAL were systematically searched from inception till Aug 20, 2023.

The Rat: A Preclinical Model of Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) stands as the most prevalent hereditary renal disorder in humans, ultimately culminating in end-stage kidney disease. Animal models carrying mutations associated with polycystic kidney disease have played an important role in the advancement of ADPKD research. The rat model, carrying an R823W mutation in the gene, is characterized by cyst formation and kidney enlargement.

Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: An Updated Meta-analysis.

Aim: Chronic kidney disease is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of aspirin administered for primary prevention of CVD in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL and Clinicaltrials.