Current Clinical Trials

Members of the William B. Schwartz Division of Nephrology conduct clinical trials in patients with chronic kidney disease, patients requiring hemodialysis, patients with a kidney transplant and patients with polycystic kidney disease.   

For Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Evaluating the risk of developing anemia and/or heart disease in chronic kidney disease.

 

Testing whether raising levels of HDL-cholesterol (the "good cholesterol) can improve how blood vessels work in kidney disease.

 

Evaluating the accuracy of newer GFR measurement protocols.

 

Evaluating current methods to estimate kidney function in HIV positive patients.

 

Testing a computerized questionnaire about quality of life for patients with chronic kidney disease.

 

For Patients Requiring Hemodialysis

Comparing the performance and longevity of the Covidien palindrome catheter compared to the Bard Hemosplit catheter.

Examining the relationship between mitochondrial injury and risk for heart disease, abnormal blood glucose and lipid levels.

Evaluating the risk of developing diabetes after a kidney transplant.

 

Testing whether aggressive blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (a hormone that controls blood pressure and blood flow in the kidney) slows kidney growth and the loss of kidney function in patients with ADPKD and hypertension (HALT-PKD Trial).

• These clinical trials have been designed to investigate whether a combination of specific blood pressure medications, combined with controlling blood pressure to certain targeted levels, will slow the rate of kidney growth in ADPKD (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease) patients, as compared to other blood pressure medications currently used for treating high blood pressure.

Studying how polycystic kidney disease affects the way blood vessels work.

 

Examining whether vasopressin receptor blockers (agents that block water channels in the kidney) slow the growth of kidneys in patients with ADPKD (TEMPO Study).