Treatment
More than 20 million Americans suffer from diseases of the kidney and urinary tract caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, congenital kidney disease, lupus nephritis, infections (such as HIV or hepatitis), drugs, cancer, etc. Many of these patients develop kidney failure and require dialysis or kidney transplantation. USC Nephrologists provide state-of-the-art diagnosis and comprehensive care of all these conditions, as well as clinical and diagnostic approach to mineral and electrolyte disorders (such as hypo and hypernatremia; hypo and hyperkalemia; hypo and hypermagnesemia; hypo and hyperphosphatemia; hypo and hypercalcemia) as well as acid-base disturbances. The Division of Nephrology has also an extensive clinical research program that contributes to improving treatment options. USC Nephrology features a complete range of dialysis treatment, including a program of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis (CCPD), as well as chronic hemodialysis therapy. Patients receive treatment and education at the USC-DaVita Kidney Center. Patients who require kidney transplantation are cared for by the highly experienced transplant team at USC University Hospital.
Centers & Programs
Hypertension Center
The nephrologists of the USC Hypertension Center specialize in diagnosing all forms of secondary hypertension, including renovascular hypertension, hyperaldosteronism and other mineralocorticoid excess syndromes, and pheochromocytoma. They also specialize in the management of resistant hypertension and the diagnosis and treatment of orthostatic hypotension. Patients with essential or primary hypertension may require many classes of anti-hypertensive agents. Our nephrologists carefully manage the use of these agents so as to provide patients with optimal management and prevent drug interactions or untoward side effects. Our Hypertension Center can also provide renal denervation as a therapeutic modality to treat the most severe and resistant forms of hypertension. Recognizing the complexity of many of these cases, our nephrologists collaborate closely with a group of prominent USC vascular surgeons and cardiologists.
Metabolic Disorders
USC kidney specialists are particularly adept at diagnosing and managing the many acid-base and electrolyte imbalances that accompany both common and complex clinical problems. Disorders of potassium, sodium, bicarbonate, magnesium and phosphate balance often follow intense bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. Patients with urine flow obstruction and moderate to severe kidney dysfunction may present with a different array of chemical imbalances. Even kidney stone formation may be caused by complex calcium equilibrium disorders. Our kidney specialists are expert at the sophisticated techniques associated with appropriately diagnosing and managing these cases.
Renal Failure
USC nephrologists are authorities on the diagnosis and management of all forms of acute and chronic renal failure. They employ renal transplantation as well as hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis to provide patients with effective options for the treatment of renal disease.
Patients on long-term dialysis therapies require physicians who understand the intricate details of these procedures and their attendant problems. Our specialists have broad experience with and comprehensive knowledge of the use of these treatments and their side effects.
Kidney Transplantation
USC Nephrologists are expert in kidney, kidney-pancreas and kidney-liver transplantation. The transplant team employs the latest and most sophisticated techniques, including laparoscopic surgery, for the harvesting of kidneys from living donors. Our transplant nephrologists pride themselves for their extremely careful monitoring of patients before, during and after surgery. They are expert in managing the complex array of medications as well as the complications that may arise following transplantation, including all forms of organ rejection. Last year our Kidney Transplant Program was ranked among the 14 best in the Country.