Active clinical trials for "Kidney Failure, Chronic"

BACKGROUND: Non-steroid maintenance immunosuppression after transplantation can improve long-term lipid and hemodynamic profiles without severe acute rejection (AR) events that alter graft function or survival. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of early steroid withdrawal (ESW) on the frequency and severity of AR using an immunosuppressive scheme consisting of mycophenolate (MMF) and tacrolimus (TAC) in combination with an induction treatment with basiliximab. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was performed on first renal transplant recipients. In the ESW group, patients were selected for corticosteroid treatment withdrawal on the fifth day post-transplantation. In the Control group, patients continued steroid treatment.

Chronic inflammation in dialysis patients is linked to cardiovascular mortality and clinical signs and symptoms, like the impaired response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). This study aims to demonstrate that high cut-off hemodialysis is effective in reducing chronic inflammation and thereby improving response to ESAs.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FG-4592 in maintaining and/or correcting hemoglobin (Hb) given to subjects with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) on maintenance hemodialysis and receiving epoetin alfa.

Positive phosphorus balance and hyperphosphatemia (increased serum phosphorus levels) are very common complications of people with advanced chronic kidney disease (i.e., stage 5 CKD), including chronic dialysis patients, and are associated with severe morbidity and increased mortality. Despite attempts to control serum phosphorus with dietary phosphorus restriction and the use of medicines that bind phosphorus in the gastrointestinal tract so that the phosphorus cannot be absorbed into the body( also called phosphate binders), chronic dialysis patients frequently remain hyperphosphatemic, particularly at the time when they commence each of their regular dialysis treatments. Fosrenol (lanthanum carbonate, manufactured by Shire Pharmaceuticals) is a gastrointestinal phosphate binder that appears to have the advantages of being safe, well tolerated and effective at binding phosphate. There are limited data on the magnitude of binding of phosphorus by Fosrenol in the human gastrointestinal tract of patients with chronic kidney disease. The specific aims for this proposal are as follows: To quantify, under precisely controlled metabolic balance conditions, the increase in fecal excretion of dietary phosphorus that occurs when patients undergoing chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) ingest Fosrenol (lanthanum carbonate). To examine a dose response relationship between Fosrenol treatment and fecal phosphorus excretion. The investigators will examine in CPD patients ingesting a constant phosphorus intake, how much additional phosphorus is excreted in the feces at three different dose levels of Fosrenol, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 g/day. To examine how increased fecal phosphorus losses and more negative phosphorus balance caused by Fosrenol intake affects serum phosphorus and such hormonal regulators of phosphorus metabolism as serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), fibroblast growth factor-23, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3), 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3) and fetuin-A. To assess whether there is any effect of Fosrenol and increased intestinal phosphate binding on protein-nitrogen balance.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients not on dialysis and who have an Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) serum levels elevated, the effect of non calcic phosphate binder: sevelamer carbonate. This treatment could lead to a diminution of FGF23 serum levels due to the diminution of intestinal absorption of dietary phosphate. In addition, the investigators will describe the impact of the FGF23 level monitoring on the main phosphocalcium metabolism markers as phosphatemia, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), serum calcitriol and phosphaturia.

The purpose of the study is to assess the safety of Xigris (Drotrecogin alfa) as an anticoagulant at different dose levels during dialysis treatment in patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

This study is designed to assess the safety, efficacy and dialytic capabilities of hemodiafiltration with on-line prepared substitution fluid using the AK200 ULTRA in comparison to conventional hemodialysis.

This single center, Phase I/II, exploratory study has been modified to a safety/efficacy study providing all patients with IVIG and Rituximab. The trial will examine the safety and efficacy of human polyclonal IVIG 10%, when given at [2.0 gm/kgx2], + Rituximab 1gm to reduce donor-specific antibodies (DSA) to a level that is permissive for transplantation in 75 subjects (adults only ages >18 yrs) who are highly-HLA sensitized and are awaiting deceased donor kidney transplant. Once transplant offers are entertained, a donor-specific crossmatch will be performed. If acceptable crossmatches and DSA levels are seen, the patients will proceed to DD transplantation. Patients receiving transplants will receive an additional dose of IVIG at transplantation (within 10 days) and will receive additional doses of Rituximab 1g at 3M post transplant if DSA levels remain or become positive at 6M if de novo DSA occur. Patients who are desensitized and not transplanted at 9M after desensitization will have completed the study and can be treated as best judged by their physician.

Dialysis patients often suffer from defects in their immune system (that part of the body which fights infection). Evidence suggests that Vitamin D deficiency may have a negative effect on immunity, and many dialysis patients are deficient in Vitamin D. We believe that by giving Vitamin D to dialysis patients who are deficient, we may help improve their immune system. This study will test that idea.

The death rate of patients with endstage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis each year is 20%, with diseases related to the heart and blood vessels causing about half. About 60% of patients on hemodialysis have high blood pressure, which is poorly controlled in most. Normal blood pressure in these patients greatly improves the chance of living. Increased fluid in the body and bloodstream is a major cause of hypertension in patients with ESRD. Fluid removal during hemodialysis is often limited by symptoms of low blood pressure during the procedure. Therefore the increase in fluid and related high blood pressure is ongoing for many of these patients. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a hormone naturally produced by the body which has little effect on blood pressure in healthy people, but acts as a powerful vasoconstrictor (narrows the blood vessels) when blood pressure is threatened. Recent studies have shown when there is too little AVP, patients are more likely to have low blood pressure during dialysis that limits fluid removal, an effect that can be reversed by giving these patients low doses of AVP. This phase II trial will find out which of two doses of AVP (.15 or .30 mU kg-1 min-1), in combination with standard therapy, works best to change interdialytic 44-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure after 2 weeks. Patients who enroll in this study will be divided into three groups. One group will be given a 0.15 mU kg-1 min-1 dose of AVP at each dialysis session over a 2-week period; the second group will be given AVP 0.3 mU kg-1 min-1 at the same interval; and a third group will be given normal saline (placebo) at the same interval. All patients will be closely monitored for side-effects.