Claudio Ronco Knihy

Recent developments have spurred a renewed interest in novel solutions to access the patient circulation, mainly concentrating on vascular access for renal replacement therapies and on peritoneal dialysis access. Starting with the epidemiology, the focus then shifts to the evolution of new techniques and monitoring procedures with regard to hemodialysis, which are discussed and evaluated. Attention is also paid to the new biomaterials available, concentrating on their improved biocompatibility and surface characteristics. As developments in the field of peritoneal dialysis have taken a similar turn, new devices providing access to the peritoneal cavity which have recently been made available are introduced next. Last but not least, the management of complications and the continuous maintenance and care of the access with regard to both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are highlighted. This book provides a complete overview of the devices, catheters and methods currently available to ensure successful vascular and peritoneal access. Taking into account both the physiology of the extracorporeal circulation and the mechanisms of peritoneal dialysis with regard to the most adequate access techniques, this is a unique resource for clinicians, investigators and researchers in the field of renal replacement therapy

A newborn baby clings to life,A young man seeks his future.Born without kidney function, baby Lisa's life is in the hands of Claudio Ronco, physician, scientist and inventor of CARPEDIEM, a medical device for infant dialysis. This remarkable and moving story details the experiences of a doctor's long and productive life as he fights to give a newborn baby a chance at the same. This is also the story of the revolutionary new machine that provides life support for babies, and Ronco's team of talented physicians who, through creativity, team-work and determination overcome clinical challenges that used to be considered insurmountable.

Severe sepsis is a leading cause of death in the U.S. and the most common cause of mortality in Intensive Care Units globally, presenting significant challenges in critical care medicine. It severely impacts kidney function and other organs through complex mechanisms involving the immune response, inflammatory pathways, intracellular dysfunction, and hemodynamic instability. Effective management necessitates a deep understanding of general medicine, immunology, nephrology, extra-corporeal technology, fluid resuscitation, and critical care endocrinology. Nephrologists and intensive care specialists must be well-versed in the epidemiology of sepsis, mechanisms of injury, and recent insights into fluid resuscitation, acid-base physiology, and glucose control. Familiarity with new monitoring techniques for critically ill patients and advanced extra-corporeal blood purification therapies is also essential. Contributions from experts in intensive care medicine, nephrology, endocrinology, and immunology provide a cutting-edge perspective on developments that enhance the care of patients facing severe sepsis, acute renal failure, and multiple organ failure. This synthesis of fundamental knowledge and recent clinical and laboratory advancements serves as a valuable resource for professionals dedicated to the care of critically ill patients.

Telemedicine and remote patient monitoring are innovative tools to provide remote transmission, interpretation, and storage of data for review by the care team. These tools allow for accurate home monitoring of patients enabling the team to improve care through prevention and early identification of problems. This book is structured into four main parts. The first describes the evolution of peritoneal dialysis and related technology. The second part summarizes current unmet clinical needs reported by patients and care teams, the need for innovation in the field, and the technical and clinical issues involved with the modern management of peritoneal dialysis. The third section presents the operational characteristics of the new information communication technology system and, in detail, the features of the Sharesource platform. Finally, a series of field experiences by expert users are reported to describe the benefits and the potential applications of remote patient monitoring in the future. Telemedicine and remote patient monitoring have proven to be useful in the care of patients on peritoneal dialysis. The scope of this publication, therefore, is to present the experiences of clinical key opinion leaders who have been using the application.

Despite constant significant advances, cardiovascular as well as more general outcomes of hemodialysis treatment remain unsatisfactory. The introduction of innovative 'high retention onset' membranes has led to the development of a new treatment modality called 'expanded hemodialysis' (HDx), which is the focus of this book. This new therapy is likely to benefit end-stage kidney disease patients, thanks to enhanced removal of molecules retained by current dialysis techniques. HDx is simple to set up and application does not require special hardware or specific nursing skills. This book contains emerging evidence and fascinating new hypotheses on HDx. It is highly recommended for all physicians and healthcare professionals who are caring for dialysis patients and are seeking innovation and improved care solutions. It will also be of considerable interest to students and fellows.

This issue is a dedicated supplement published in addition to the regular issues of 'Blood Purification' focussing on one specific topic. 'Blood Purification' is a well-respected, international peer-reviewed journal in Nephrology. Supplement issues are included in the subscription.

This book contains notable contributions from the well-known Vicenza course on hemodialysis and miniaturized wearable devices for renal replacement therapy. The main themes covered in this publication include cardio-renal syndromes as well as new technologies in hemodialysis, new dialysis membranes and techniques, the importance of vitamin D receptors in renal and extra-renal physiology, and the control of risk factors such as blood pressure and lipid disorders. Special interest is placed on new models of organization including large dialysis networks and health care economics. Moreover, acute kidney injury and its impact on the subsequent development of chronic kidney disease are discussed together with the use of modern biomarkers. Microfluidics, nanotechnology and miniaturized dialysis devices suitable for wearable ambulatory treatments are also covered in depth. The publication at hand is a useful tool for consultation by the clinician as well as for those involved in the care of patients with end-stage kidney disease.

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 results of a new therapeutic approach that promises to attain this goal: It consists of a specific hemoperfusion process that utilizes cartridges with immobilized polymixin B in an extracorporeal circuit. Containing contributions by renowned researchers, this book represents as a milestone in the field of extracorporeal therapies in sepsis. It will be a valuable reference work for both basic scientists and clinical professionals who want to keep abreast of current developments.

Critical care nephrology is an emerging multidisciplinary science in which the competences of different specialists are merged to provide a unified diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the critically ill patient. The volume at hand places great emphasis on cardiorenal syndromes and the multidisciplinary collaboration between cardiology and nephrology. Several contributions describe the cardiorenal syndrome in its different varieties and subtypes and report the results from the most recent Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative Consensus Conference, as well as proposing new diagnostic approaches based on early biomarkers of AKI. Other papers discuss advances in technology for renal replacement therapy and multiple organ support therapy. Moreover, special emphasis is placed on the potential role of extracorporeal therapies in patients affected by H1N1 influenza, and a summary of the most recent trials in the field is included. Containing the proceedings of the 2010 International Vicenza Course on Critical Care Nephrology, this publication is a state-of-the-art appraisal of today’s technology and current issues related to cardiorenal syndromes.

The field of hemodialysis is subject to constant transformations due to continuous advances in techniques, biomaterials and devices. Based on international surveys, objective evaluations of experts and recent clinical trials, the publication at hand pays special attention to the physiological aspects of treatments as well as practical questions in the dialysis unit. Taking into account recent developments, an international group of contributors addresses issues related to vascular access, epidemiology, inflammation, fluid management, uremic toxicity, treatment efficacy, advanced techniques, calcium/phosphate homeostasis, and correction of anemia. Focusing on basic and clinical aspects of innovative technology as well as on new therapeutic options, this publication is a most helpful tool for the clinician to keep abreast of developments in the field of hemodialysis.