title: Effects of Crit-Line® monitor use on patient outcomes and epoetin alfa dosing following onset of hemodialysis: a propensity score-matched study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Crit-Line® monitor (CLM) is a device for monitoring hematocrit, oxygen saturation and change in intravascular blood volume during hemodialysis. Prior studies have evaluated CLM use in dialysis patients, but not specifically in those new to dialysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective analysis, 199 patients initiating dialysis at 8 facilities routinely using CLM were compared with 796 propensity score-matched non-CLM patients initiating dialysis at facilities not using CLM. Outcomes were considered over the first 180 days on dialysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, the CLM group had higher StdKt/V (p = 0.06) and received lower doses of intravenous iron than the non-CLM group (p < 0.001). Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent doses were lower in the CLM group in months 1-5. Serum iron and transferrin saturation levels were higher overall for the CLM group than the non-CLM group (p = 0.004 and 0.01, respectively). Hemoglobin levels and time to first hospitalization were similar for both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of CLM is associated with lower erythropoiesis-stimulating agent and iron use in incident hemodialysis patients.
authors: DaVita Clinical Research, Minneapolis, Minn., USA.
authors: Scott P
authors: SP
authors: Sibbel
authors: Linda H
authors: LH
authors: Ficociello
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Black
authors: Mayuri
authors: M
authors: Thakuria
authors: Claudy
authors: C
authors: Mullon
authors: Jose
authors: J
authors: Diaz-Buxo
authors: Thomas J
authors: TJ
authors: Alfieri
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D057216:Propensity Score; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014168:Transferrin; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D007501:Iron; D010100:Oxygen