
Ultrafiltration Profiling and Outcomes Among Individuals on Maintenance Hemodialysis
End Stage Renal DiseaseThe rate of fluid removal (ultrafiltration, UF) during hemodialysis (HD) may contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among individuals receiving maintenance HD. More rapid UF rates are associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Ultrafiltration profiling, the practice of varying UF rates to maximize fluid removal during periods of greatest hydration and plasma oncotic pressures, is one treatment modification that may reduce UF-related harm without necessitating reduction in interdialytic fluid intake or longer HD treatments. To date, UF profiling has not been adequately studied independent of sodium profiling. This study investigates the comparative effect of UF profiling versus non-profiled conventional HD on select cardiovascular and patient-reported outcomes. Participants will complete two phases of UF profiling and two phases of conventional HD and will act as their own controls.

Anemia Study in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Erythropoiesis Via a Novel Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor...
AnaemiaThis will be an open-label, randomized, parallel-group study in hemodialysis-dependent (HD) participants with anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), designed to compare the effects of daprodustat to epoetin alfa on blood pressure (BP). Participants will be screened for eligibility within 7 and 30 days prior to erythropoesis-stimulating agent (ESA) washout. Following a 2-week ESA washout period, on Day 1 participants will be randomized 1:1 and stratified by prior ESA dose before they undergo Acute Challenge 1, a single dose challenge to compare the acute effects on BP of the highest planned once-daily maintenance dose of daprodustat (24 milligrams [mg]) to the highest starting dose of epoetin alfa (100 units/kilogram [U/kg]). This will be followed by an 8-week hemoglobin (Hgb)-maintenance period, where doses of either daprodustat or epoetin alfa will be administered and adjusted. At the end of Hgb maintenance period, on Day 57 an Acute Challenge 2 will be repeated utilizing the same treatment dose administered in Acute Challenge 1; there will be a follow-up visit within 14+/-3 days after completing treatment.

Dose-Finding Study of Vadadustat in Japanese Subjects With Anemia Secondary to Non-Dialysis Dependent...
AnemiaNon-dialysis Dependent Chronic Kidney DiseaseThis is a Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding study to assess the efficacy, safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic (PK), and pharmacodynamic (PD) of orally administered vadadustat in Japanese participants with anemia secondary to Non-dialysis Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease (NDD-CKD).

EMPRA (EMPagliflozin and RAs in Kidney Disease)
Diabetic Kidney DiseaseDiabetes Mellitus3 moreThis study will be a prospective, clinical pilot study in CKD patients to show whether Empagliflozin in addition to ACEi treatment significantly increases Ang 1-7 levels compared to ACEi treatment alone. Null and alternative hypotheses: H0: Empagliflozin in addition to ACEi treatment does not increase Ang 1-7 levels more than ACEi treatment alone. H1: Empagliflozin in addition to ACEi treatment significantly increases Ang 1-7 levels compared to ACEi treatment alone Methodology: Two groups of 24 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, respectively, with and without type 2 diabetes will be randomized into the study medication or placebo group. The number of patients per treatment arms is n = 12. Included and consented patients will be subjected to an initial 2-week run-in period for conversion of current RAS blocking medications to ACEi therapy with enalapril or ramipril and respective dose titration to 10 mg enalapril 2 x daily and 10 mg ramipril 1 x daily. Additional antihypertensive medication will be standardized as feasible, with the primary goal of keeping blood pressure as recommended by KDIGO. Following the 2-week run-in phase, all study patients will be subjected to blood collection including the first RAS quantification (RAS Fingerprint) and assessment of HDL composition, as well as urinary analysis and bioimpedance fluid status assessment (BCM measurement). Subsequently, patients will be randomized to either receive empagliflozin (at a dose of 10 mg daily) or placebo. Subsequently, biweekly study visits including electrolyte and glucose (plasma and urine) monitoring as well as BCM measurement will take place. After 12 weeks of study medication intake, a concluding study visit will be scheduled for final RAS quantification (RAS Fingerprint) and HDL analyses as well as final blood and urinary analysis and BCM measurement. Initially, blood and urine will be collected at the clinical visit as part of the routine blood obtainment (no additional effort on patients). From these routine measurements we will be able to extract information regarding the patient's current CKD stage as well as other relevant laboratory parameters (e.g. HbA1c, UACR, etc.). Furthermore, we will document the patient's current medication and significant comorbidities. Primary analysis variable/endpoint: The difference of Ang 1-7 increase from baseline between a 3-month treatment with empagliflozin on top of ACEi treatment compared to ACEi treatment alone Most important secondary analysis variables/endpoints: Simultaneous quantitative changes of multiple RAS effector angiotensin levels determined by mass-spectrometry Recurrence of Ang II levels determined by mass-spectrometry HDL parameters (protein composition of HDL) Renal parameters (albuminuria reduction measured by urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR), renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), serum-creatinine) Urinary electrolyte levels Urinary glucose levels Urinary RAS metabolites (angiotensinogen, ACE and ACE2 levels, ACE2 activity) Blood pressure determined by ambulatory blood pressure measurements Body volume determined by bioimpedance fluid status assessment (BCM measurement) OCR and ECAR in PBMCs determined by Seahorse Flux Analyzer Assessment of reduction of salt sensitivity by using salt sensitivity test with empagliflozin

Effect of Etelcalcetide on Cardiac Hypertrophy in Hemodialysis Patients
Secondary HyperparathyroidismChronic Kidney Disease Requiring Chronic Dialysis1 moreBackground: Calcimimetic therapy has been shown to reduce systemic FGF23 levels, which themselves are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods/design: This is a randomized multicenter trial in which the effect of etelcalcetide in comparison to alfacalcidol on LVH and cardiac fibrosis in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) will be investigated. The investigators will perform a comparative trial testing etelcalcetide vs. alfacalcidol treatment on top of conventional HPT therapy for 12 months. A total of 62 hemodialysis patients with sHPT and LVH will be enrolled in the study. After a washout of all calcimimetic and vitamin D treatment, subjects will be randomized at 1:1 ratio to either etelcalcetide or alfacalcidol. The participants will undergo cardiac imaging consisting of cardiac resonance imaging (cMRI) and strain echocardiography before and at baseline and one year. Etelcalcetide or alfacalcidol will be administered intravenously three times per week following chronic hemodialysis treatment. The primary end point will be a change in left ventricular mass index (LVMI) measured in g/m2. As secondary end points the changes in left atrial diameter (LAD), cardiac fibrosis, wall motion abnormalities and left ventricular function, changes in serum FGF 23 and soluble Klotho levels as well as changes in proBNP as well as pre- and postdialysis troponin T (TnT) levels will be determined. Additionally a quantitative analysis of the treatment influence on the individual metabolites of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) will be performed using mass spectrometry ("RAAS fingerprint").

A Study of Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease to Assess the Safety of a Single Dose of COR-001...
Chronic Kidney DiseasesThis is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic effects of a single dose of the study drug or placebo administered subcutaneously to patients with moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease and persistent inflammation.

Cellulose Triacetate Dialyzer in Hemodiafiltration-online
Chronic Kidney Disease Requiring Chronic DialysisIn post-dilution haemodiafiltration only synthetic membranes have been used to date. The allergy problems described with these membranes require the development of other membranes capable of performing this treatment. We describe in vivo performance and behaviour of an asymmetric cellulose triacetate(ATA™) membrane, to identify its depurative effectiveness and ease of use in clinical practice, as well as evaluate its biocompatibility in a single haemodialysis session (acute biocompatibility) and after one month of treatment (chronic).

Automated Setting of Individualized Sodium Technology
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)The ASIST study is a medical device study testing the safety and efficacy of a new hemodialysis machine software in chronic haemodialysis patients. The software's intention is to reduce hemodialysis related symptoms such as unwell being, blood pressure changes by adapting the dialysis fluid ion concentration to the patients plasma ion concentration by conductivity measurement.

Impact of HemoDiaFIltration on Physical Activity and Self- Reported Outcomes
Chronic Kidney DiseaseThis is a randomized controlled clinical trial that will analyze the impact of high volume online HDF in comparison to high-flux HD on measured physical activity.

CPAP Effect on Albuminuria in Patients With Diabetic Nephropathy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Diabetic NephropathySleep ApneaObjectives: Main objective: To assess the effect of 12 months of CPAP treatment added to conventional drug treatment on the albuminuria in patients with diabetic nephropathy and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Secondary objectives: To evaluate the effect of CPAP treatment on the estimated glomerular filtration rate of patients with diabetic nephropathy and OSA; determine the additional longterm CPAP effect on glycemic control, insulin resistance, lipid profile, health-related quality of life and biomarkers of cardiac function, inflammation, oxidative stress, sympathetic tone and appetite-regulating hormones in patients with diabetic nephropathy and OSA; and to identify the subgroup of patients with diabetic nephropathy and OSA in which 12 months of treatment with CPAP achieve a more pronounced reduction in albuminuria. Methodology: Randomized, multicenter, non-blinded, parallel groups, conventional treatment-controlled trial of 12 months of duration. Subjects will randomize to conventional dietary and pharmacological treatment or conventional dietary and pharmacological treatment plus continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Study subjects: Subjects 18 to 80 years with overweight or obesity and a clinical diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy, increased urinary albumin/creatinine ratio of 30 mg/g and an estimated glomerular filtration rate >20 ml/min/1.73 m2, and treatment with stable doses of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) or anti-aldosterone drugs in the last four weeks. Efficacy variables: urinary albumin/creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate; glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c); fasting glucose and insulin; homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) and QUICKI indices; total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides; Troponin I, proBNP, homocysteine and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; systemic biomarkers (inflammation [IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α], oxidative stress [8-isoprostane], endothelial damage [endothelin, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1], sympathetic activity [neuropeptide Y] and appetite-regulating hormones [leptin and adiponectin]) and clinical questionnaires: short form (SF)-12, EuroQoL and iPAQ.