Nephrology
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Nephrology and Hypertension Services provide medical care for patients affected by kidney diseases; water, electrolyte and acid base abnormalities; bone and mineral disorders; arterial hypertension; and organ transplant patients' care. The focus of attention is on the diagnosis of parenchymal renal diseases and on delivery of comprehensive care for patients with primary and secondary kidney diseases. A special priority is performing and interpreting diagnostic kidney biopsies both of native kidneys and renal allografts. These services also serve as a referral centers for metabolic bone diseases icluding bone biopsies on an outpatient basis, and disorders of mineral metabolism. The national Bone Histomorphometry Laboratory operates a highly advanced computerized system, one of the few laboratories in the world with international reputation for its professional excellence. Clinical Activity Osteoporosis
The Osteoporosis Centers operate highly advanced DEXA densitometers, experimental ultrasonic devices, and function as outpatient consultation clinics. Patients with complex skeletal diseases are occasionally admitted for further work-up. Renal Laboratories Act as resourceful diagnostic support units by performing specific tests including vitamin D and its metabolites' assays, measurements of aluminum levels, three bone markers and cyclic AMP levels. Dialysis Dialysis is the principal clinical preoccupation of nephrology. Each hospital runs hemodialysis units and ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) units. Several such centers are independent and function on demand all over the country, for citizens and tourists alike. Renal Transplant Clinics These are specifically designed for kidney transplant patients, providing pre-operational assessments and post-transplant follow of patients who received kidney allografts in or outside Israel. Metabolic Bone Disease Clinics Dealing with the investigation and treatments of patients with all types of metabolic bone disease. Research Activity Renal physiology and pathophysiology, including:  K+ metabolism. Glomerulotubular balance in diabetic kidney. Water preservation in arid areas. Renal tubular phosphate transport. Signal transduction pathways in bone: Calcium efflux and influx in bone organ culture. Experimental renal bone disease. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction in the uremic state. These studies address the cardiovascular instability in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Uremic osteodystrophy. Therapeutic trials for bone disease in dialysis patients.Pediatric Services Pre and post kidney transplants children from 1 - 18 years, are treated by highly professional multi-disciplinary teams. A large percentage of these transplants concerns living-related donors. The Dialysis Units and the Nephrology Clinics provide support and assistance both before and after surgery. The rate of success of kidney transplants in children is similar to that reported by the major centers in Europe and the United States and stands at 93% for the first year. |