The first article was a retrospective study on the use of calcitriol in patients with CKD stage 3 and 4. The outcome was mortality and mortality plus dialysis. The authors were able to demonstrate a significant reduction in both outcomes with the use of calcitriol. Some interesting points were the lack of a dose effect and the effect was independent of PTH. The authors suggest that the benefit of activated vitamin D therapy is not due to its affect on PTH.
Association of oral calcitriol with improved survival.
The second article was the latest study on contrast nephropathy.
Sodium bicarbonate vs sodium chloride.
This well done randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial showed no difference between isotonic NaCl and nearly isotonic bicarbonate.