ADPKD Patients Needed: ACT Alert, Preventing Blood Clots During Dialysis, Cost of Kidney Transplant Surgery

Accelerating Clinical Trials

From PKD Foundation

ADPKD patients needed for pravastatin study

We are conducting a research study in adults with ADPKD to determine if treatment with a statin (pravastatin) will decrease cyst growth and slow renal function decline. 

The study plans to enroll up to 200 people, age 25-60 years, over the next 2 years. Other criteria for the study include: 

•  a diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) 
• GFR >45 mL/min/1.73 m2 
• controlled blood pressure 
• no current tobacco use 
• no other clinical indication for a statin 
• women must not be pregnant, trying to become pregnancy, or lactating 

Participation involves taking either pravastatin or placebo one a day for two years. Testing, which includes blood draws, vitals, MRI of the kidneys, and the GLOFIL-125 procedure to measure kidney function will be done at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus at the beginning and end of the study. There will also a local visit at 6 weeks for safety labs, and monthly phone calls/emails. 

If traveling from out-of-state, your airfare and hotel will be arranged and paid for by the study. 

For more information or to see if you qualify, please contact Diana George, at diana.george@cuanschutz.edu or (303) 724-1684. 

You can find more information about the study at www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Dialysis

From Healio

FDA grants breakthrough device designation to dialysis system that prevents blood clots

Fresenius Medical Care has received breakthrough device designation from the FDA for its hemodialysis system, which was designed to prevent blood clotting without the use of blood thinner medication.

“We are hopeful this new system will help eliminate the reliance on heparin during dialysis to improve treatments for most patients,” Robert Kossmann, MD, chief medical office for Fresenius, said in a press release. “The work to achieve this breakthrough has been years in the making and we are excited that the FDA has recognized the importance of bringing this technology to the market as quickly as possible.”

According to the release, an antithrombogenic additive is being incorporated into the manufacturing process of dialyzers and bloodlines to reduce clot risk and increase hemocompatibility.

“Harnessing out innovational expertise, we continuously strive to make significant advances in our products and provide new solutions for people with chronic kidney disease worldwide,” Olaf Schermeier, PhD, CEO for global research and development at Fresenius, said. “Receiving this designation, we are right on track with a new dialysis system that will directly benefit our patients’ well-being.”

Research supportive of the system will be presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Week in November, from which Healio/Nephrology will be providing live coverage.

Kidney Transplant Surgery

From The Richest, BY REBECCA KNAUSS

The 10 Most Expensive Surgeries In The USA

7KIDNEY TRANSPLANT ($414,800)

It's possible to live life with only one kidney, but when both of them stop working you will be required to have a kidney transplant. This chronic failure is usually caused by things like diabetes, high blood pressure, polycystic kidney disease, and chronic glomerulonephritis.

The decision ultimately comes down to whether you want to go through with a transplant or stay on dialysis for the rest of your life. It is obvious that most people choose to pay the $414,800 fee for a transplant instead of spending chunks of their days hooked up to a dialysis machine.