Combination Therapy of Intravenous Maxacalcitol and Percutaneous Ethanol Injection Therapy Lowers Serum Parathyroid Hormone Level and Calcium × Phosphorus Product in Secondary Hyperparathyroidism

Abstract

Background: Percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) is an alternative treatment for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). Although maxacalcitol has been recently developed as a new vitamin D₃ and its efficacy is anticipated in SHPT, there are only few reports on the usefulness of combination therapy of intravenous maxacalcitol and selective PEIT. Methods: The study population comprised 10 hemodialysis patients (6 males and 4 females, mean age; 51.5 ± 13.5 years, mean HD period 13.7± 3.5 years), with high intact-PTH level (>400 pg/ml) and 1 or 2 enlarged parathyroid glands detected by power Doppler ultrasonography. Intravenous maxacalcitol therapy commenced one week after PEIT at 15 µg/week. The effect of combination therapy was monitored by measuring intact-PTH, serum Ca and P, bone metabolic markers, parathyroid gland volume and bone mineral density, prior to and at 6 and 12 months after PEIT. Results: Successful control of intact-PTH, bone metabolic markers and parathyroid gland volume was achieved using the combination therapy. Serum P and Ca×P productweresignificantly decreased 12 months after PEIT. The mean values of serum intact-PTH, P and Ca×P product fulfilled all of the K/DOQI guidelines at 12 months after PEIT. None of the patients developed complications related to PEIT-maxacalcitol therapy during 12 months following PEIT. Conclusion: Combination therapy of intravenous maxacalcitol therapy and selective PEIT is safe and effective for the treatment of refractory SHPT. This combination therapy results in suppression of PTH secretion, regression of parathyroid hyperplasia and the control of Ca×P product, which may prevent calcific uremic arteriolopathy in dialysis patients.