The nephrology institute treats a variety of nephrology problems, including the diagnosys using kidney biopsies, treating terminal kidney failure using any kind of dialysis, preparing patients for dialysis in the pre-dialysis clinic with a multidisciplinary team and follow up after patients admitted to the hospital.
The institute has a hemo-dialysis unit, treating about 80 patients in three daily shifts, three times a week. Also, there is a unit for home peritoneal dialysis responsible for about 20 patients. These patients are guided by the unit and when they are proficient in the therapy, they conduct it by themselves at home, and tested monthly in the follow up clinic of the institute.
The nephrology and hypertension institute of the Kaplan Medical Center is responsible for the Nephromor dialysis unit in Ashdod, which treats about 100 dialysis patients. The institute doctors check and treat patients there, and also, the institute provides medical and nursing backup for this unit.
The nephrology institute includes a few sub-units such as: hypertension, transplant follow up, CAPD, pre-dialysis and once a week, a clinic which cares for urgent cases.
The institute has outpatient clinics in the following areas:
● Hypertension
● General nephrology
● Followup for implanted patients
● Pre-dialysis clinic
● Blood pressure halter
● Kidney biopsies
● Research
Academic and Research Activities
The institute includes a research lab. We study the activity of muscle cells, parts of human blood vessels and the influence of various factors, like blood phosphorus levels, on the sclerosis of these cells. This process exists with dialysis patients and it has importance in the high mortality rates in these patients.
Dr. Alexander Kagan studies the activity of “Leptin” hormone in dialysis patients.
1. Leptin hormone and the kidney
2. Hypertension and obesity: gender influences (male/female)
3. Halofuginone influence on kidney fibrosis.
4. Diabetes and the kidney: interaction between albuminoria, heart and blood vessels diseases and the kidneys.
Attending Physicians:
Dr. Ana Michlin
Dr. Raisa Kazersky
Attending Nurse:
Mrs Ruth Serfian Rogev
Latest Publications
1. Kagan A, Haran N, Leschinsky L, Sarafian R, Ravot D, Dolberg J, Ben-Ary Z, Rapoport J. Serum concentrations of leptin in heart, liver and kidney transplant recipients. Isr. Med. Ass. J. 2002; 4: 213-217.
2. Rapoport J, Kagan A, Friedlaender M. Legalizing the Sale of Kidneys for Transplantation: Suggested Guidelines. Isr. Med. Ass. J. 4: 1131-1134, 2002.
3. Rapoport J. Medicine 100 Years Ago: A Glimpse at Osler’s Textbook of Medicine.
Isr. Med. Ass. J. 5: 306-309, 2003
4. Kagan A, Rapoport J.
The role of Peritoneal Dialysis in the treatment of Refractory Heart Failure. Nephrol. Dialysis & Transpl. 20 (Suppl. 7): 28-31, 2005.
5. Haran N, Leschinski L, Pines M, Rapoport J. Inhibition of Rat Renal Fibroblast Proliferation by Halofuginone. Nephron Experimental Nephrol 104:35-40, 2006.
6. Kagan A, Faibel H, Ben-Arie G, Granevitze Z, Rapoport J. Gender Differences in Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Profile in Obese, Overweight and Normal Subjects. J. Hum. Hypertension. 21: 128-134, 2007.
7. Rapoport J. Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: Pathophysiology & Treatment. QJM 2007; 100: 1-9.
8. Schattner A, Meltzer E, Rapoport J. A 71-year-old woman with abdominal pain and acute renal failure. CMAJ. 177: 454-5, 2007.
9. Shull PD, Rapoport J. Life threatening reversible acidosis due to alcohol abuse. Nat. Nephrol. Rev. 6: 555-9, 2010.
