On World Kidney, Dr Haresh Dodeja, Director-Nephrology & Transplant Services, Fortis Hospital Mulund talks about the evolving technological landscape in Kidney disease management
Also known as renal disease, Kidney disease can impact a person at any stage. Since the Kidneys play a vital role in the overall functioning of the human body, any Kidney problem can have lasting consequences on the quality of life. Moreover, the human Kidneys play a vital role in maintaining overall health by filtering waste products, excess fluids & electrolytes from the blood, regulating blood pressure, and producing hormones that influence various bodily functions.
Different types of Kidney diseases range from acute to chronic conditions. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a sudden and often reversible condition that can result from various factors such as dehydration, infections, or medication side effects. On the other hand, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a long-term condition characterized by the gradual loss of Kidney function over a period, with common causes including Diabetes, Hypertension, and certain genetic conditions.
How is Kidney disease treated? Kidney diseases come in various types, each demanding a unique approach to managing the condition effectively. While in most cases, AKI offers a promising recovery path to patients, CKD may require comprehensive strategies to slow down its progression. In this era of rapid technological advancements, Kidney disease management is witnessing revolutionary changes, particularly in diagnosis, dialysis, transplantation, and data utilization.
Diagnosing AKI: Due to various technological advancements, AKI has shown significant progress in both diagnosis and treatment. For most patients suffering from AKI, identifying the cause becomes a vital step to ensure complete recovery. To ensure this, emerging technologies concentrate on refining diagnostic tools and providing advanced imaging techniques, biomarker analysis, and artificial intelligence applications, all of which can aid in the swift and accurate identification of the underlying causes of this disease.
As with most diseases, early detection allows for timely intervention and a higher chance of improving patient outcomes. Monitoring devices and remote patient management systems can help healthcare professionals keep a vigilant eye on patients and ensure prompt action wherever needed.
The Focus on Retarding Progression for CKD: Unlike AKI, chronic Kidney disease is a slowly progressing condition that is often preceded by diabetes and hypertension. In this, technological advancements that can slow down the progression are the need of the hour, while innovations in dialysis modalities, transplantation techniques, and data utilization can effectively contribute to a more holistic approach.
Dialysis Advancements: In the field of dialysis, newer modalities such as hemodiafiltration are gaining a lot of prominence. Additionally, modifying the duration and frequency of dialysis sessions has proven beneficial to many patients. Daily dialysis, lasting only two hours, has shown positive outcomes, while slow, extended six-hour sessions are only used for patients having compromised cardiac health.
Transplantation Innovations: Transplantation is still essential for chronic Kidney disease management. ABO-incompatible (ABOi) transplants (a method of allocation in organ transplantation that allows for the most efficient use of available organs regardless of the blood type) are becoming standard practices marked by reduced immunosuppression. In the coming days, technological breakthroughs will be able to facilitate increased organ swaps and domino procedures, optimizing the utilization of available organs. More importantly, standardized collection and sharing of patient data have opened avenues for cross-state transplants, maximizing the potential donor pool.
Risk Factor Identification and HLA Matching: Technology is critical in identifying risk factors associated with Kidney transplantation. High-resolution HLA matching techniques enable healthcare professionals to tailor organ selection to patients, thereby reducing the chances of transplanting a Kidney to a patient with a high risk of rejection. In addition, improved storage fluids further extend the viability of donor organs, facilitating better distribution and utilization.
What does the future hold for Kidney management? As healthcare professionals navigate the landscape of Kidney disease management, the next big frontier is prevention. In the current scenario, advanced technologies must be used urgently to identify and mitigate risk factors before irreversible damage occurs. Additionally, protecting salvageable glomerular mass is paramount, emphasizing the need for novel interventions to preserve Kidney function.
In conclusion, the evolving technological landscape in Kidney disease management offers hope for patients and healthcare professionals alike. From advanced diagnostic tools for AKI to innovative dialysis modalities, transplantation techniques, and data-driven decision-making, these advancements can redefine the possibilities in Kidney care, especially in the coming years.
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