Nephrology and Hypertension

Below are current clinical trials.

Filter this list of studies by location, status and more.

1. Genetic Markers of Cardiovascular Disease in Epilepsy

   Rochester, Minn.

   Epilepsy is a common condition which affects over 3 million people in the US. Patients with uncontrolled epilepsy have a lifetime risk of sudden unexpected death (SUDEP) of 35%, which is greatest in those under 40 years of age. The exact mechanisms and causes are not understood but can be due to underlying conditions which affect the heart and brain, which may lead to dangerous heart rhythms and death. Some of these conditions which affect heart and brain have an identifiable genetic cause. This study aims to identify known genetic causes of heart rhythm and sudden death related disorders in patients with epilepsy.

2. Cystic Kidney and Liver Disease Biobank

   Rochester, Minn.

    

   This research study is being done to create a collection of biospecimens (blood, urine, cyst fluid, bile, kidney or liver tissue, etc.) that can be used to facilitate the conduction of research on polycystic kidney and/or liver disease.

3. A Study to Evaluate Obinutuzumab to Treat Immunosuppression-dependent or Immunosuppression/Treatment-resistant Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to enroll 12 patients with immunosuppression-dependent or immunosuppression/treatment-resistant primary FSGS, or contraindication/patient refusal to take high dose corticosteroids, to test the effectiveness and safety of obinutuzumab in inducing complete or partial remission of proteinuria.

   Patients with immunosuppression-dependent or immunosuppression/treatment-resistant primary FSGS or contraindication/patient refusal to take high dose corticosteroids, will receive obinutuzumab 1 gram on day 1 and 1 gram on day 15, given intravenously and then an identical course at 6 months.

4. Neural Circulatory Control and SUDEP Risk.

   Rochester, Minn.

   The investigators believe epilepsy alters the way the body controls blood pressure, heart rate and breathing, and these changes increase the risk of sudden unexpected death in patients with epilepsy (SUDEP). SUDEP-7 is a risk scoring tool which may correlate with these changes to the heart and blood vessels. This research study measures those differences which may help identify new markers to help predict those patients at greatest risk in the future.

5. A Study to Evaluate the Implications of the Human Microbiota for Health and Disease

   Rochester, Minn.

   The primary purpose of this study is to examine the human microbiota in healthy subjects.

    

6. A Study of Quality of Life and Pain Control Before and After Endovascular Renal Denervation in Individuals with Refractory Kidney Pain

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to examine patient reported outcomes including pain, quality of life, depression and impact on kidney blood flow before and after procedure to destroy the pain sensory nerves of the kidneys in patients with untreatable one or two sided kidney pain.

7. A Study to Identify Physical Function Trajectories and Biomarkers after Kidney Transplantation

   Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

   The aims of this study are to identify frailty trajectories and biomarkers of frailty after kidney transplantation. Subjects will be followed beginning immediately prior to kidney transplantation until 1 year after kidney transplantation. Frailty will be prospectively assessed using performance-based measures (Fried criteria and Short Physical Impairment Battery). The relationship between frailty measures and blood levels of promising candidate biomarkers will be analyzed.

8. A Study to Evaluate the Use of Lung and intra-abdominal vessels Ultrasond for Intradialytic Complications in Hospitalized Patients on Intermittent Hemodialysis

   Rochester, Minn.

   The purpose of this study is to investigate hospitalized, non-ICU patients undergoing intermittent hemodialysis (HD) to determine:

   • If the combined use of lung and intra-abdominal vessels ultrasound in volume assessment would be better for estimation of dry weight
   • If the changes of the lung ultrasound B line numbers as well as portal venous flow pulsatility and IVC diameters could predict intra-dialytic manifestations and/or complications, such as hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, and change in oxygen requirements
   • If findings seen with a hand-held scanner are similar to a portable ultrasound scanner

9. COVID-19 and Acute Renal Failure

   Jacksonville, Fla., Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz., Rochester, Minn.

   The primary purpose of this study is to examine 1-year survival and rate of secondary infections in COVID-19 patients with and without acute kidney injury (AKI).

    

    

    

10. Concomitant Renal and Urinary Bladder Allograft Transplantation

    Rochester, Minn.

    Patients that need reconstruction or re-building of their urinary bladder are often limited to having a segment of their intestine used for that purpose. Using intestine is less than ideal as it is an absorptive, mucous producing tissue and placing this in constant contact with urine creates significant long term problems. In patients that require a kidney transplant and bladder reconstruction, this study seeks to use a bladder graft from a deceased donor rather than intestine.