Background: Approximately, 20–70% of patients with cholesterol crystal embolism (CCE) have eosinophilia. However, it remains unknown how eosinophilia influences renal prognosis in patients with CCE. In this study, we investigated the association between eosinophil count (Eo) and renal prognosis in CCE patients on steroid therapy. Methods: The present study is a single-centered retrospective cohort study in patients with renal dysfunction and CCE from April 2007 to May 2018. This study included the patients who were treated with neither maintenance dialysis nor steroid before CCE diagnosis, and followed-up for kidney function until November 2019. We assessed whether eosinophilia at the time of CCE diagnosis was related to renal death after treating with steroid therapy. Results: Thirty patients with pathologically diagnosed CCE were enrolled and followed-up for 11.0 (5.2–43.4) months. There were significant differences in the white blood cell count (p = 0.01), hemoglobin (p = 0.009), serum creatinine levels (p = 0.008), phosphate (p = 0.049), and Eo (p = 0.008) between the renal survival and renal death groups. Using the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis with Youden index, Eo of 810/µL showed 100% sensitivity and 69.6% specificity for detecting renal death (area under the curve: 0.839). Comparing the outcomes in patients having Eo ≥ and < 810/µL using the log-rank test, there is a significantly higher renal death rate in CCE patients with Eo ≥ 810/µL (p = 0.0016). Conclusion: Higher eosinophilia was a prognostic risk factor for renal death in the patients with CCE.

Cognitive impairment is one of the important critical issues in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, the associating factors of brain atrophy in HD patients have not been fully elucidated. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 34 of total 72 HD outpatients in our dialysis center. These MRI images were analyzed by an application software; Voxel-based Specific Regional Analysis System for Alzheimer’s Disease (VSRAD). VSRAD quantitatively calculates the extent of brain atrophy (percent of volume reduction) comparing with a MRI imaging database of 80 age-matched healthy controls. The extent of both hippocampal and whole-brain atrophy was evaluated with possible contributing factors. In all patients, the mean extent of hippocampal atrophy was 27.3%, and the mean extent of whole-brain atrophy was 11.2%. The extent of hippocampal atrophy was significantly correlated with low body mass index (BMI), total serum homocysteine (tHcy) levels, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). The extent of whole-brain atrophy showed significant correlations with age, hypoalbuminemia, and baPWV. Based on the multiple regression analysis, tHcy was an independent determinant of hippocampal atrophy (β = 0.460, R2 = 0.189, P<0.01); while age was an independent determinant of whole-brain atrophy (β = 0.594, R2 = 0.333, P<0.01). In this exploratory pilot study, hippocampal atrophy was significantly correlated with hyperhomocysteinemia in HD patients.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is highly prevalent in hemodialysis (HD) patients (15-40%). Furthermore, critical limb ischemia (CLI), seriously advanced stage of PAD, has strong impact on mortality in HD patients. However, sufficient therapeutic effect has not been achieved by several kinds of therapies for CLI in HD patients. We performed cell-besed therapy for CLI in HD patients to clarify its safety and efficacy.

Cardiac dysfunction is an important prognostic predictor of cardiovascular mortality in patients on hemodialysis (HD). Erythropoietin (EPO) has been reported to improve cardiac function by binding to the EPO receptor (EPOR) on cardiomyocytes. This study investigated whether anti-EPOR antibodies were associated with left ventricular cardiac function in patients undergoing HD. This multicenter, cross-sectional observational study included 377 patients (median age, 70 years; 267 (70.8%) males) with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing stable maintenance HD. Serum levels of anti-EPOR antibodies were measured, and echocardiography was used to assess the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Anti-EPOR antibodies were found in 17 patients (4.5%). LVMI was greater (median of 135 g/m² vs. 115 g/m², p = 0.042), and the prevalence of LVEF < 50% was higher (35.3% vs. 15.6%, p = 0.032) in patients with anti-EPOR antibodies than in those without. Multivariable linear regression and logistic regression analysis (after adjusting for known risk factors of heart failure) revealed that anti-EPOR antibodies were independently associated with LVMI (coefficient 16.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0–35.0%, p = 0.043) and LVEF <50% (odds ratio 3.20; 95% CI 1.05–9.73, p = 0.041). Thus, anti-EPOR antibody positivity was associated with left ventricular dysfunction in patients undergoing HD.