Clinical Research Directory

A Pilot Trial of Chinese Medicine for Patients With Dialytic Hypotension

To evaluate the epidemiological status of traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitution in patients with dialytic hypotension, and design a clinical study based on a Zheng-based herbal formulation to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of TCM

DIALYSIS-TIR Study

This study will look at control of blood sugar levels in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus currently on chronic dialysis. Researchers will compare blood sugar levels in people taking semaglutide to people taking "dummy" medicine. The treatment participants get will be decided randomly. Participants will need to inject the study medication once a week. The study will last for 1 year and a month. Participants will be asked to wear a sensor that measures blood sugar levels for a period of 10 days at five different time points during the study.

MoVE Trial: Motivational Strategies to Empower African Americans to Improve Dialysis Adherence

MoVE Trial is a randomized clinical trial designed to rigorously test the impact of a behavioral intervention (culturally tailored motivational interviewing - (MOVE)) delivered by trained health coaches, on hemodialysis treatment non-adherence. It is a a two-arm, parallel group randomized clinical trial with 24-week follow-up. It involves completion of surveys by patients enrolled in the study. It also involves participation in motivational interviewing sessions by patients who are randomized to the intervention (MI).

Comparing Surgical and Endovascular Arteriovenous Fistula Creation

Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who use hemodialysis to filter their blood require vascular access for the dialysis machine; the most common type of vascular access is called an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). The AVF is a direct connect between an artery and vein. Until recently, AVFs were only created through surgery that requires general anesthesia and opening up the skin. Now there are 2 FDA-approved devices designed to create AVFs using endovascular techniques (endoAVF), which means a device that goes through the skin instead of opening the skin up. Also patients are not required to be under general anesthesia, they can receive local anesthesia instead. Due to the relatively new approval of these devices, there is not a randomized study to compare the results of endoAVF versus surgAVF. This study is a pilot study for an eventually larger scale study to compare the results of endoAVF versus surgAVF. The study aims to determine what the proportion of patients seeking hemodialysis access could qualify for receiving either an endoAVF , surgAVF, or both. Patients who are screened for hemodialysis access must undergo a duplex ultrasound of the blood vessels in the arm to confirm correct sizing. If participants qualify for both procedures they will be randomized to either endoAVF or surgAVF and will track the clinical and patient-reported outcomes of each procedure. Our pilot study hopes to enroll 90 participants. Those outcomes will inform a larger scale study. If the potential participant chooses to abstain from participation in the randomized trial, preferring to decide the method of AVF creation, we will offer to them a chance to join an endoAVF/surgAVF registry that will track the clinical outcomes of the procedure via medical record monitoring.

The Home Blood Pressure (BP) Trial

The main study will be a two arm 10-month, cross-over randomized controlled trial of 200 participants treated with end-stage-kidney-disease treated with in-center hemodialysis in the Seattle and San Francisco area comparing a strategy of targeting home vs. pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure \<140 mmHg to reduce rates of intradialytic hypotension. The target systolic blood pressure of \<140 mmHg in both treatment groups will be achieved using an algorithm of dry weight adjustment and anti-hypertensive medication adjustment.

Interdialytic Peritoneal UltraFiltration in HemoDialysis Patients

Sodium accumulates in the tissues of patients with kidney disease and impairs survival. Three-times weekly, standard hemodialysis alone cannot remove excess sodium efficiently. A sample of 10 chronic hemodialysis patients will undergo a 5-week, pilot, interventional study to test the efficacy of additional sodium removal in-between hemodialysis sessions, twice per week, for three weeks. Tissue sodium removal will be achieved with peritoneal dialysis after the surgical insertion of a peritoneal dialysis catheter. Tissue sodium removal will be assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study with sodium magnetic resonance imaging of a peripheral limb (leg). Patients will also undergo monitoring for symptoms and blood pressure throughout the study to assess the safety of this procedure.

Fight Fatigue: A Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Walking Intervention to Reduce Fatigue in Adults With ESKD

Fight Fatigue is evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of a combined progressive muscle relaxation and walking intervention to reduce fatigue for adults with end-stage kidney disease receiving in-center hemodialysis.

Assessment of D-dimer and CRP for Cardiovascular Risk Prediction in Hemodialysis Patients

This study aims to assess whether two blood markers - C-reactive protein (CRP) and D-dimer - can help predict cardiovascular complications in patients undergoing regular hemodialysis. Cardiovascular disease is a common and serious problem in dialysis patients, and early detection is important. the study will include 100 adult patients from the Hemodialysis Unit at Assiut University Hospital. Participants will be divided into two groups: those with and those without known heart disease. Each participant will have a one-time blood test to measure CRP and D-dimer levels. In addition, an electrocardiogram (ECG) will be done once to check for signs of heart problems.

Efficacy of pHA130 Hemoadsorption for 4 Hours (p4H Study)

This is an open-label, randomized, crossover study to evaluate the efficacy of extending the duration of hemoadsorption (HA) combined with hemodialysis (HD) from 2 hours to 4 hours for clearing protein-bound uremic toxins, such as Indoxyl Sulfate (IS), in stable maintenance hemodialysis patients. Patients will be randomized to receive either 2-hour HA or 4-hour HA once a week for 8 weeks, then cross over to the other treatment for another 8 weeks after a 2-week washout period. The primary endpoint is the reduction rate of IS.

Empagliflozin on Residual Kidney Function in Incident Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Empagliflozin, a new class of diabetes medication, has demonstrated a reduction in renal function decline among patients with chronic kidney disease, regardless of their diabetes status. However, all previous studies excluded dialysis patients. Patients starting dialysis may still produce a certain amount of urine. Importantly, patients with better preserved residual kidney function tend to have better control of blood pressure and volume status, improved nutrition status, higher quality of life and reduced mortality rate. The purpose of this study is to learn about the safety of empagliflozin in patients on peritoneal dialysis, in preparation for a future large clinical trial. Participants who newly initiate peritoneal dialysis will be randomly allocated to either empagliflozin on top of standard of care, or standard of care alone. Over a follow-up period of six months, the investigators will collect information on urine volume, blood pressure and glucose control. Safety, tolerability and drug compliance of empagliflozin will also be evaluated. If empagliflozin is found to be safe and well tolerated in patients on peritoneal dialysis, further large-scale randomized controlled trial may be conducted to evaluate its impact on residual kidney function and other relevant clinical outcomes.

Registry of GORE® ACUSEAL Vascular Graft in Dialysis Access

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate safety and performance of GORE® ACUSEAL Vascular Graft for the treatment of CKD in patients with ESRD in hemodialysis. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Safety: Freedom from device-related infection adverse events at 24 months from device implant * Performance: Secondary patency at 24 months from device implant. Participants, after informed consent is obtained, will be implanted with GORE® ACUSEAL Vascular Graft and followed for 24 months in standard of care, to evaluate safety and performance of the device.

CRISPR-Edited HLA Donor Kidney Transplant to Reduce Rejection Risk

This clinical trial investigates the transplantation of donor kidneys that have been genetically modified ex vivo using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to reduce immunogenicity and transplant rejection. Donor kidney grafts will have key human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes disrupted - specifically, knockout of HLA class I heavy chains HLA-A and HLA-B, along with disabling HLA class II expression by targeting the CIITA gene (a master regulator of HLA-DR/DQ/DP). Approximately 90 adult end-stage renal disease patients will receive a CRISPR-edited donor kidney transplant. The primary objectives are to assess the safety and feasibility of this novel intervention, while secondary objectives evaluate the reduction in immune responses (immunogenicity), graft function, and the practicality of implementing ex vivo gene-edited organ transplantation in humans. By knocking out major donor HLA molecules, the trial aims to reduce T-cell and antibody-mediated recognition of the graft, potentially lowering rejection rates and reliance on high-dose immunosuppressants. Safety, including any off-target effects or unanticipated immune reactions, will be closely monitored, and transplant outcomes will be tracked for one year post-transplant.

Effects of pHA Hemoperfusion Plus Hemodialysis on Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins

This single-center, prospective cohort Study evaluates whether adding the pHA130 hemoperfusion cartridge to conventional hemodialysis (HD) or hemodiafiltration (HDF) more effectively reduces protein-bound uremic toxins-specifically indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS)-in maintenance HD patients. Adults on thrice-weekly, 4-hour HD for at least three months are randomized to one of three arms: HD/HDF alone; HD/HDF plus biweekly pHA130 hemoperfusion; or HD/HDF plus biweekly HA130 hemoperfusion. After a four-week washout, toxin levels are measured at baseline and again at Weeks 4, 12, and 24, with the primary endpoint being the reduction in IS and PCS at Week 24. Secondary endpoints include single-session toxin removal, middle-molecule clearance (β₂-microglobulin, PTH), patient-reported outcomes (itching, sleep, quality of life), and rates of hospitalization and mortality. Safety is closely monitored through adverse event reporting and consistent anticoagulation dosing. Findings will clarify the clinical value of pHA130 hemoperfusion for improving toxin clearance and guiding optimal dialysis strategies.

Effect of Empagliflozin on Peritoneal and Kidney Function in End Stage Renal Disease

The main purpose of the study is to determine if empagliflozin can reduce peritoneal glucose absorption in patients with end stage renal diease (ESRD) on peritoneal dialysis. This is a randomized, placebo controlled, acute crossover study of empagliflozin in an anticipated 30 chronic PD patients, with an 8 week "pre post" open label extension in all 30 patients where they will receive empagliflozin daily.

EMPAgliflozin in Heart Failure With PReserved Ejection Fraction and End Stage Renal Disease

The presence of CKD has been linked to the development of HFpEF. Currently, the treatment for HFpEF is limited. SGLT2i are one of the few drug classes that have proven efficacy in HFpEF in randomized controlled trials. The results of mechanistic studies suggest that the benefits of SGLT2i on diastolic heart failure are independent of their glycosuric actions and may still be present in anuric subjects. Despite the significance of HFpEF in patients with CKD, patients with advanced kidney disease have been excluded from studies investigating anti-heart failure drugs. The effects of SGLT2i in patients under maintenance dialysis are largely unknown. Past pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics studies on empagliflozin in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) demonstrated that the use of empagliflozin in patients with ESRD seemed safe, yet its efficacy remains to be explored.

Empagliflozin in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction and End Stage Renal Disease

In patients with ESRD, up to 20% of patients suffer from HFrEF, leading to significant CV morbidity and mortality. Several drug classes that provide survival benefits for patients with HFrEF, including SGLT2i, lack data regarding their efficacy and safety in patients under chronic hemodialysis. As the primary target of SGLT2i is expressed mostly in the kidneys, the efficacy of SGLT2i in patients with ESRD may be limited. On the other hand, patients with ESRD are at higher risks of experiencing cardiovascular events and may still benefit from treatment. Several mechanistic studies have demonstrated direct actions of SGLT2i on the myocardium, thus it is possible that the benefits of SGLT2i on heart failure are independent of their glycosuric actions and may still be present in anuric subjects. Furthermore, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics studies on empagliflozin demonstrated that peak plasma levels of empagliflozin in subjects with renal failure/ESRD were similar to those in subjects with normal renal function. The use of empagliflozin in patients with ESRD seemed safe in terms of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, yet its efficacy remains to be explored.

Cardiac Arrhythmia in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

The study will examine the presence of cardiac arrhythmias in patients receiving hemodialysis and the role of diabetes, hypoglycemia and parameters related to uremia and the dialysis procedure. The study is designed as a prospective cohort study with 18 months follow-up. 70 patients receiving chronic hemodialysis will be recruited and equipped with implantable loop recorders (ILR): 35 patients with diabetes and 35 patients without diabetes. Data collection during the follow-up includes continuous monitoring of the heart rhythm by the ILR for the entire follow-up period, continuous glucose monitoring for 10 days every second month, and monthly collection of blood samples and dialytic parameters. After the initial 18-month follow-up, heart rhythm monitoring will continue until the ILR battery runs out for those participants who wish to continue.

Virtual Reality Intradialysis: Last vs. First Part of the Session

The main objective of this investigation is to assess if an intradialysis virtual reality exercise program during the last two hours of the hemodialysis session results in greater hemodynamic stability than exercise performed during the first two hours of the hemodialysis session. The secondary aims are to assess the impact of intradialysis virtual reality exercise during the last two hours of the hemodialysis session on dialysis efficacy, postdialysis molecules rebound, adherence to exercise, functional capacity, physical activity level, health-related quality of life, cognitive function, morbidity, frailty and dependency. We will also analyze the reliability of muscle strength assessment of lower limb muscles with a handheld dynamometer during hemodialysis.

RandomizEd ClinicAL triaL on the Efficacy and saFety of Incremental Hemodialysis (REAL-LIFE)

Background: The thrice-weekly hemodialysis (HD) regimen is widely accepted as a standard prescription. The concept of incremental dialysis has been established as a possible alternative for patients with preserved diuresis and end-stage renal failure in need of HD. The main problems related to prescription of incremental HD are an arbitrary use of infrequent regimens and the lack of clear standards for incorporating residual kidney function (RKF) in the assessment of HD dose. Several models have been proposed for prescription of incremental dialysis. The latest, the variable target model (VTM), gives more clinical weight to the RKF and allows less frequent HD treatments at lower RKF. Despite increasing evidence derived from observational studies to support the use of incremental HD, RCTs are lacking and, therefore, urgently needed. Methods/Design: The Department of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation of the Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico, Bari, Italy and the EUDIAL Working Group of the European Renal Association - European Dialysis Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) are starting a randomized clinical trial (RCT) in incident HD patients, whose name is "REAL LIFE", by using the acronym of its whole definition: RandomizEd clinicAL triaL on the effIcacy and saFety of incremental haEmodialysis. REAL LIFE is a pragmatic, prospective, multicentre, open label RCT, investigator-initiated, comparing the intervention arm (incremental HD) with the control arm (standard 3HD/wk). The trial, originally conceived by experts at the Division of Nephrology of the Miulli General Hospital, Acquaviva delle Fonti, Italy, consists in starting the HD treatment adopting the new incremental approach guided by the VTM. The primary outcome is the survival of kidney function, with the event defined as urinary output (UO) ≤ 200 mL/day, confirmed by a further collection after 2 weeks to exclude temporary illness. Discussion: REAL LIFE will enable the investigators to know with the highest level of scientific evidence the safety and efficacy of an incremental approach to the start of HD treatment.

Vitamin B12 Status and Its Impact on Chronic Haemodialysis Patient

To evaluate vitamin B12 level in haemodialysis patients and its impact on hematological and neurological manifestations

Study on the Influence of Dyadic Psychoeducational Intervention on Patients With Maintenance Hemodialysis

This study aims explored the effectiveness of dual psychological intervention strategies in improving the quality of life of MHD patients based on the theoretical guidance of double ABC-X model. To provide a scientific and effective dual psychological intervention strategy for MHD patients and their caregivers, in order to improve the quality of life of MHD patients, and to provide a reference for nurses in clinical blood purification centers to implement psychological intervention.

HED-Start: Evaluating a Positive Skills Intervention for Patients New on Haemodialysis

Hemodialysis patients often experience barriers and misperceptions that hinder adjustment to life on dialysis. This study seeks to explore a group-based intervention (titled HED-Start) developed to improve self-care and emotional wellbeing among incident hemodialysis patients.