Clinical Research Directory

The Selective Cytopheretic Device (SCD) for Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and Hepatorenal Syndrome (HRS) Type I

This research study is being done to learn what effect 7 days of treatment with the Selective Cytopheretic Device (SCD) will have on these white blood cells in the bloodstream of patients with hepatorenal syndrome and to learn whether it has any effect on the blood circulation and kidney function.

NEPH-ROSIS (NEPHrology in CirRhOSIS) Pilot Trial: A Trial to Treat Acute Kidney Injury Among Hospitalized Cirrhosis Patients

The goal of this pilot, randomized, single-blind clinical trial is to estimate the effect size of a high and low mean arterial pressure (MAP)-target algorithm among cirrhosis patients hospitalized with acute kidney injury. The main aims to answer are: • Does an algorithm that has low (\<80 mmHg) and high (≥80) MAP-targets lead to significant differences in mean arterial pressure? • Are there any serious adverse events (e.g., ischemia) in a high blood pressure algorithm as compared to a low blood pressure algorithm? • Are there any differences in the incidence of AKI reversal in the high v. low MAP-target groups? Participants will be: 1) Randomized to a clinical algorithm that will either target a low (\<80 mmHg) or high (≥80 mmHg) MAP. 2) Depending on their group, investigators will titrate commonly used medications to a specific MAP target. Researchers will compare the high and low MAP-target groups to see if these algorithms lead to significant changes in MAP, if they have any impact on AKI reversal, and if there are any adverse events in the high MAP-target group.

A Retrospective Analysis of Outcomes in Patients With Hepatorenal Syndrome at Methodist Dallas Medical Center

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with liver disease \[1\]. Increased activity and presence of vasodilators such as nitric oxide in cirrhotic patients leads to vasodilation, especially in the splanchnic circulation, resulting in hemodynamic changes that precipitate renal injury \[1\]. Patients may present with elevated serum creatinine (Cr), benign urine sediment, and low urine sodium \[1\].

Endothelin Receptor Antagonism With Ambrisentan to Treat Hepatorenal Syndrome

Patients with advanced cirrhosis of the liver develop kidney problems occasionally. This condition is called Hepatorenal Syndrome, requires hospitalization and frequently results in death. The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether the administration of low doses of ambrisentan can help patients with Hepatorenal Syndrome and to determine if it is safe. Ambrisentan is a drug that is approved for the treatment of high blood pressure in the lungs at higher doses. This clinical trial will compare the safety and effects of ambrisentan to another drug called terlipressin, which is commonly used to treat patients with hepatorenal syndrome. The main questions the clinical trial aims to answer are: * Does ambrisentan help the kidney function of the patient? * Does ambrisentan help prevent death in patients with Hepatorenal Syndrome? * Does ambrisentan prevent Hepatorenal Syndrome from reappearing? While in the hospital, trial participants will receive either one of two doses of ambrisentan or terlipressin. If in the first 4 days, ambrisentan is not helpful, the patient may be eligible to receive terlipressin. Patients assigned to receive ambrisentan will continue taking this medication at home after leaving the hospitals and until they complete 60 days of treatment.

Initial Resuscitation for Acute Kidney Injury in Cirrhosis

The goal of this interventional study is to evaluate two strategies for how to provide intravenous (IV) fluids for treating patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) in cirrhosis. The main question it aims to answer is: what is the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of providing a recommendation to use a Volume Assessment Guidance Algorithm (VAGA) or give standard of care doses of IV albumin? Patients will be randomly assigned where their treating teams will receive a VAGA-based recommendation or a standard of care IV albumin recommendation.

Use of Novel Plasma and Urinary Biomarkers to Predict the Development of Hepatorenal Syndrome in Cirrhotic Patients

This study investigated the use of novel plasma and urinary biomarkers to predicte the development of hepatorenal syndrome in patients with advanced cirrhosis. The biomarkers investigated include plasma cystatin C, plasma NGAL, plasma NAG, plasma IL-18, plasma ADMA, plasma BTP, urinary KIM-1 and urinary LFABP. These biomarkers will be checked in advanced cirrhotic patients who have or have not developed hepatorenal syndrome and compared between the two groups. These biomarkers will also be correlated with the occurence of hepatorenal syndrome.

HRS-AKI Treatment With TIPS in Patients With Cirrhosis

The study compares the effectiveness and safety of TIPS implantation in patients with HRS-AKI (stage1, 2 and 3) and liver cirrhosis with standard therapy (drug therapy with terlipressin + albumin).