Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Researchers are evaluating the effects of furosemide alone compared to furosemide combined with albumin in adult critically ill patients with fluid overload. The study aims to find out if adding albumin improves urine output and kidney function. The primary focus includes measuring urine output at 2 hours and examining changes in kidney blood flow markers and biochemical tests. Secondary measures include blood pressure, electrolyte levels, and kidney resistance patterns. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receives a single intravenous dose of furosemide at 1 mg/kg infused over 30 minutes with a placebo saline infusion, while the other receives the same dose of furosemide combined with 50 grams of 25% albumin infused over 30 minutes. This double-blind trial ensures both groups are treated under similar controlled conditions to compare the treatments effectively. During the study, urine output is measured at 2 hours after treatment administration. Researchers also use bedside ultrasound to assess fluid overload and venous congestion, while monitoring blood pressure, electrolyte changes, and kidney function through blood and urine tests up to 24 hours. The study helps determine whether albumin enhances diuretic response and kidney health in this patient group. Participation lasts through these initial assessments and monitoring periods.

This research aims to evaluate antibiotic treatments for acute pyelonephritis (AP) in children aged 1 month to 3 years. It compares a shorter intravenous (IV) antibiotic course of 3 days alone to a longer treatment consisting of 3 days IV followed by 7 days of oral antibiotics. The goal is to see if the shorter IV treatment is as effective in curing AP and preventing recurrence and renal scarring, while reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance and preserving gut microbiota diversity. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group receives only 3 days of IV antibiotics with ceftriaxone and/or amikacin, after which treatment is stopped. The control group receives the usual care of 3 days IV antibiotics followed by 7 days of oral antibiotics, either cotrimoxazole or cefixime. The study includes collection of fecal or rectal swabs and blood tests to assess microbiota and resistance. Treatment effectiveness and safety are compared between groups. During the study, children are monitored for fever, symptoms, and urine cultures to confirm infection clearance. Researchers measure recurrence of febrile urinary tract infections within 28 days after treatment ends and follow clinical cure at 10 or 17 days depending on the group. Additional assessments include monitoring recurrence at 90 days, antimicrobial resistance in gut bacteria, and intestinal microbiota diversity over about a month. Participation lasts through treatment and follow-up visits up to several weeks.

Researchers are evaluating the pharmacokinetics, or how the body processes, of one or two doses of the drug MK-2828 in people with kidney disease. The study aims to determine if the way MK-2828 behaves in individuals with certain types of kidney impairment is similar to that in healthy people. This research is a Phase 1 clinical trial focusing on participants with severe renal impairment, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and healthy controls. Participants with severe renal impairment will receive a single oral dose of MK-2828 on Day 1. Those with ESRD on hemodialysis will receive a single dose in each of two study periods, separated by at least 14 days. Healthy participants with normal kidney function will receive a single dose on Day 1. The trial is open-label, meaning all participants and researchers know which treatment is given. During the study, participants will have blood samples collected before dosing and at various times up to 192 hours afterward to measure drug levels and related pharmacokinetic parameters. Those on hemodialysis will have additional assessments related to dialysis clearance. Safety will be monitored through tracking adverse events up to approximately 14 days. The study will continue until July 2026, with participants involved in a single-dose administration and follow-up sampling and observation.

Researchers are evaluating the use of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict acute kidney injury (AKI) in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. AKI is a common and serious complication after such surgeries, leading to increased hospital stays, costs, and mortality. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of NIRS sensors placed on the skin over the kidney versus sensors placed on the limbs for predicting AKI. The research is conducted by the University of Utah's anesthesiology department. Participants will have NIRS sensors placed on the skin over their kidney, as located by ultrasound, and on the muscles of their arm and thigh before surgery. If a patient has had a right nephrectomy, the sensor will be placed over the left kidney. Additional sensors will be placed on the forehead to measure brain oxygen levels during surgery. The study observes how well these sensor placements predict AKI from the day of surgery up to seven days afterward. During the study, participants will undergo ultrasound measurements to determine the depth of kidney and muscle tissue before sensor placement. Researchers will monitor oxygen levels in various tissues throughout surgery and track outcomes such as AKI development, ventilator times, length of hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality up to three months. Hemodynamic data including blood pressure, oxygen delivery, vasopressor use, and anemia during surgery will also be recorded. The total observation period extends from surgery through hospital discharge and follow-up for up to three months.

Researchers are evaluating whether using an automated Carbon Dioxide (CO2) injection system during infrainguinal peripheral vascular interventions (PVI) can reduce major adverse kidney events within 90 days in patients at moderately increased risk for contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI). This Phase 3 randomized controlled trial compares a CO2-based contrast medium sparing strategy to the standard use of iodinated contrast media in patients with peripheral vascular and kidney diseases. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group receives PVI using an automated CO2 injection system as the primary contrast agent, with iodinated contrast media available as a backup if image quality is insufficient or if the patient cannot tolerate CO2 angiography. The control group undergoes routine PVI using iodinated contrast media according to local standards, avoiding high-osmolar contrast agents. All patients are followed for up to 12 months after their procedure. During the study, participants undergo the planned PVI procedure with either contrast method. Researchers carefully record the amount and reasons for any iodinated contrast media used in the CO2 group. Patients are monitored for kidney-related outcomes, focusing on major adverse kidney events up to 90 days after the intervention. The trial includes ongoing follow-up assessments to evaluate safety and effectiveness over one year.

Researchers are comparing two drugs, cilastatin and thiosulfate, to see which better protects the kidneys in female patients undergoing debulking surgery combined with intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) using cisplatin. This phase 2, double-blind, randomized clinical trial evaluates whether cilastatin is not less effective than thiosulfate in preventing kidney damage in this setting. Participants receive either 1.5 grams of cilastatin or thiosulfate during their debulking surgery with HIPEC. The study uses a triple-blind design to prevent bias and randomly assigns patients to one of the two treatment groups. The main focus is on kidney protection during and after this specialized chemotherapy procedure, which targets tumors in the abdomen. During the study, researchers monitor patients for kidney failure within the first seven days after surgery to measure the primary outcome. Patients are assessed for overall health and eligibility before surgery, and kidney function is carefully tracked. The total participant age range is 18 to 75 years, and only females diagnosed with ovarian cancer suitable for this surgery are included. The study runs until October 2028 with ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

Researchers are evaluating the use of a high protein egg white pudding as a nutritional supplement for people with kidney failure who are on dialysis. The study aims to find out if giving this egg white pudding after dialysis is practical and whether it can improve blood protein levels, frailty, dietary intake, and other blood markers compared to a standard supplement called Ensure Plus. This trial is conducted by Seven Oaks Hospital Chronic Disease Innovation Centre. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the egg white protein pudding or Ensure Plus at the end of their dialysis treatments three times a week for 12 weeks. Both supplements are dietary and taken during the dialysis sessions. The study collects data during this 12-week intervention period to evaluate the effects of the two supplements. During the study, participants will be monitored for their ability to stay in the trial, adherence to the supplements, and health measures such as hand grip strength, walking speed, balance, and blood levels including serum albumin and electrolytes. These assessments occur at the end of the 12 weeks. The trial also tracks recruitment and follow-up rates to evaluate feasibility. Overall, participants are involved in regular supplement intake and health testing during dialysis over three months.

This research aims to learn more about vitamin C deficiency in patients with either acute or chronic diseases. It focuses on understanding how symptoms change over time and how well patients tolerate treatment. The study involves patients diagnosed with vitamin C deficiency either by lab tests or based on symptoms such as fatigue, infections, bleeding gums, joint pain, and poor wound healing. The study observes patients treated with Vitamin C Injektopas® 7.5 g, given for an expected average of about 3 weeks for acute diseases or 12 weeks for chronic diseases. Two groups are included: those with acute underlying diseases and those with chronic underlying diseases, both receiving this vitamin C therapy during the study period. Participants will be followed to assess changes in general and disease-specific symptoms, as well as treatment tolerability and overall effectiveness from the patient's perspective. Researchers will also record the number of vitamin C infusions and measure quality of life for chronic disease patients. The study duration ranges up to approximately 12 weeks, with evaluations at the last visit to understand symptom improvement and treatment impact.

Researchers are developing and validating a machine learning model to predict acute kidney injury (AKI) after non-cardiac surgery in adult patients. The study also aims to assess whether including frailty status as a new factor improves the model's ability to predict AKI. This observational study uses data collected from patients undergoing various types of non-cardiac surgeries. The study uses two sets of data: retrospective data from adult patients who had non-cardiac surgery between July 2015 and June 2025, and prospective data collected from July 2025 to February 2026. The retrospective data helped develop and optimize the model using multiple machine learning techniques and a wide range of patient and surgical information. The prospective data includes frailty assessments and will be used to validate and update the model. Participants' information such as demographics, lab tests, comorbidities, and surgical details are collected from electronic medical records. For the prospective group, frailty status and outcomes like postoperative complications, mortality, hospital stay length, and costs are recorded. The primary outcome measured is acute kidney injury within 7 days after surgery. The study tracks these outcomes during the perioperative period to evaluate the model's performance and value of frailty assessment.

Researchers are investigating a new, non-invasive method to monitor kidney function after transplantation using advanced non-contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This study aims to create individualized baselines for transplanted kidneys by scanning donors before donation, allowing earlier detection of kidney problems compared to current blood tests or biopsies. It includes both donor-recipient pairs and recipients without donor data, primarily from deceased donors, to evaluate MRI's ability to track kidney health over time. Participants are divided into two main groups: one where donors undergo pre-transplant MRI to establish a personalized baseline for their kidney before transplant, and recipients are followed post-transplant to compare function against this baseline; the other group includes recipients without donor MRI data to validate MRI's standalone monitoring ability. The study also assesses body composition and metabolic health to better understand their impact on transplant kidney function. During the study, participants will undergo scheduled non-contrast MRI scans alongside clinical, laboratory, and body composition assessments. Data such as serum creatinine, eGFR, and biopsy results when available will be collected to correlate with MRI findings. The main outcome is the diagnostic accuracy of MRI for detecting transplant kidney rejection and dysfunction over up to five years. Approximately 1000 participants will be enrolled to provide robust data for developing a precise, individualized monitoring tool for kidney transplant patients.