The Center for Polycystic Kidney Disease is a multidisciplinary program that specializes in the diagnosis and management of cystic kidney diseases. The Center also participates in clinical research trials for patients with polycystic kidney disease (PKD).
To schedule an appointment at the Center for PKD please call 617-636-5866.
Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of PKD including genetic diagnosis, minimally invasive surgery for kidney and liver cyst problems, and new drugs for clinical trials promise to greatly improve the care of patients with PKD. The Center for Polycystic Kidney Disease at Tufts Medical Center offers comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary care for patients with polycystic kidney disease. The Center’s physicians are internationally recognized experts in the management of the complications of PKD.
The Center for Polycystic Kidney Disease provides coordinated care for chronic kidney disease including:
- Dialysis and transplantation for progressive loss of kidney function
- Treatment of hypertension
- Evaluation and management of the complications of liver and kidney cysts including chronic pain, kidney stones, and cardiovascular issues including intracranial aneurysms
Services Available at the Center for PKD
Patients are offered a full continuum of care from genetic testing, including pre-implantation testing of embryos, to kidney transplant. Services include:
- Nephrology care with PKD expertise
- Coordinated care for chronic kidney disease
- Nutritional counseling
- Laparoscopic cyst reduction
- Interventional urology
- Preparation for dialysis
- Dialysis access surgery
- Kidney transplantation
- Extended PKD family kidney donor planning
- Genetic counseling
- Presymptomatic screening and family planning
- Preimplantation genetic diagnosis
- Cutting edge clinical trials
Clinical Research
Tufts Medical Center’s renowned physicians are involved in cutting edge research. Studies currently underway at Tufts Medical Center are listed below. For information on other clinical research trials for patients with polycystic kidney disease, please click here to be linked to the PKD Foundation's web site.
HALT Progression in Polycystic Kidney Disease
Tufts Medical Center is one of only four National Institute of Health designated clinical centers for HALT-PKD and is part of the Polycystic Kidney Disease Treatment Network. The HALT PKD study is a nationwide research initiative to investigate the effectiveness of anti-hypertensive drugs on PKD progression and its cardiovascular complications. ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors in combination with or without ARB (angiotensin receptor binding) inhibitors will be evaluated. Costs for medications, home blood pressure equipment and patient evaluations will be fully covered. Travel costs will be totally or partially covered, depending on how far the participant lives from the study site. Enrollment is ongoing. Call 1-866-846-2735 for information.
Cardiovascular Disease in Polycystic Kidney Disease
There is an increased risk of heart disease in patients with PKD. The aim of this study is to examine possible mechanisms leading to heart disease in PKD. This non-invasive study includes examination and observation of a blood vessel in the upper arm and a one-time 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, consisting of wearing a blood pressure cuff on one arm and a monitor around the waist. Enrollment is ongoing. Call 617-636-5895 for information.
TEMPO 3/4 Trial - Tolvaptan Efficacy and Safety in Management of Polycystic Kidney Disease and Its Outcomes (Phase 3 of 4)
Center physicians are also participating in the TEMPO 3/4 clinical trial. This study's purpose is to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of tolvaptan versus placebo. Enrollment is ongoing. Call 617-636-1573 for information.
Center for Polycystic Kidney Disease Physician Staff
Director
Ronald D. Perrone, MD
Nephrology
Dana C. Miskulin, MD, MS
Ronald D. Perrone, MD
Laparoscopic Surgery
Richard Rohrer, MD
Michael Tarnoff, MD
Laparoscopic Surgery and Interventional Urology
Gennaro Carpinito, MD
Neurosurgery
Adel Malek, MD
Genetic Counseling
Diana Bianchi, MD
Laurie Demmer, MD
Office Locations
Physicians of the Center for Polycystic Kidney Disease are located at Tufts Medical Center. Our offices are located at the Medical Center in the Chinatown/Theatre District.
To schedule an appointment at the PKD Center please call 617-636-5866.