SGLT-2i are the new standard of care for diabetic kidney disease (DKD), but previous studies have not included patients on kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Due to their high risk of cardiovascular, renal complications, and mortality, these patients would benefit the most from this therapy. Residual kidney function (RKF) conveys a survival benefit and cardiovascular health among hemodialysis (HD) patients, especially those on incremental hemodialysis (iHD). We retrospectively describe the safety and efficacy of SGLT2i regarding RKF preservation in seven diabetic patients with different clinical backgrounds who underwent iHD (one or two sessions per week) during a 12-month follow-up. All patients preserved RKF, measured as residual kidney urea clearance (KrU) in 24 h after the introduction of SGLT2i. KrU levels improved significantly from 4.91 ± 1.14 mL/min to 7.28 ± 1.68 mL/min at 12 months (p = 0.028). Pre-hemodialysis blood pressure improved 9.95% in mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p = 0.015) and 10.95% in mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p = 0.041); as a result, antihypertensive medication was modified. Improvements in blood uric acid, hemoglobin A1c, urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR), and 24 h proteinuria were also significant. Regarding side effects, two patients developed uncomplicated urinary tract infections that were resolved. No other complications were reported. The use of SGLT2i in our sample of DKD patients starting iHD on a 1–2 weekly regimen appears to be safe and effective in preserving RKF.

The care of elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) presents unique challenges due to age-related physiological and functional changes. With the global population aging rapidly, this demographic change affects a growing proportion of individuals requiring PCI. However, advanced age is associated with increased susceptibility to ischemic and bleeding complications, driven by physiological changes such as altered coagulation, vascular stiffness, and declining organ function. These factors complicate the management of CAD, making the balance between reducing thrombotic events and minimizing bleeding risks particularly challenging. Antiplatelet therapy is central to post-PCI management, but its benefits and risks differ significantly in elderly patients compared to younger populations. Tools like the PRECISE-DAPT and ARC-HBR provide guidance on dual antiplatelet therapy duration and bleeding risk stratification. However, their applicability and predictive accuracy in elderly patients remain areas of active investigation. This underscores the need for improved risk assessment methods tailored to the unique needs of aging individuals. In this review, we explore the epidemiological, pathophysiological, and clinical aspects of CAD in elderly patients, emphasizing the impact of aging on disease presentation and outcomes. Furthermore, we assess current risk stratification tools and discuss their limitations in predicting adverse events in older populations. By synthesizing these insights, we aim to highlight the complexities of managing elderly CAD patients and identify opportunities for optimizing personalized care to achieve better outcomes in this vulnerable group.

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Early reports have suggested that maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients could be more susceptible to a severe course of COVID-19. Among the therapeutic approaches, the use of drugs that reduce the cytokine storm characteristic of this disease has been proposed. Some dialyzers, such as the new generation of asymmetric cellulose triacetate (ATA) membranes, could favor the effective elimination of medium-sized molecules and other inflammatory mediators. In this case series, we describe in depth the clinical, analytical, and radiological details, therapeutic aspects, and outcomes of the case series of 10 MHD patients of our dialysis unit, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from 5 October to 30 November 2020. Furthermore, we evaluate the removal of hyperinflammatory parameters with the ATA membrane in postdilution online hemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) in these patients through a variety of biomarkers of systemic inflammation from the diagnosis until stripping. Biochemical blood analysis was carried out at baseline and at days 7 and 14 after diagnosis, respectively. 50 of the patients presented COVID-19 pneumonia and required hospital admission. Median hospitalization time was 21days. A total of 4 patients developed severe pneumonia (3 of them died) and 1 patient developed moderate pneumonia. Patients who died (n=3) were more likely to present bilateral pneumonia (100 vs 14.3) at diagnosis and less reduction in interleukin 6 (IL-6) at day 14, as compared to those who survived. The use of the ATA membrane could be considered a therapeutic option, due to its immunomodulatory effect in MHD patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially at the beginning of the disease, where the inflammatory component is predominant.