Overview
The Lilibeth Caberto Kidney Clinical Research Unit (KCRU) at London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI) is a 4,000 square-foot facility located at LHSC’s Victoria Hospital. The KCRU team is dedicated to clinical research in the areas of kidney health and kidney disease, including dialysis and kidney transplantation.
The KCRU fosters research conducted by an integrated group of more than 30 clinicians, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, research staff and trainees, including postdoctoral fellows and graduate, medical and undergraduate students. The KCRU hosts some of the most accomplished researchers from across Canada and around the world. Cross-cutting research into the fields of critical care, cardiology, hepatology and neuroscience is a major theme.
The KCRU fosters strong ongoing collaboration with the ICES Kidney Dialysis and Transplant Program. The two programs came together to develop and deliver the MyTEMP trial. This trial resolved a clinical uncertainty regarding the potential benefits of cooled dialysate and directly impacted clinical care worldwide. With more than 7,000 participants, it is the largest study with dialysis patients ever performed.
As well as having a strong local research community, the KCRU has developed an ever-growing network of national and international research and health-care connections to collaborate and share information.
Key Methodologies and Research Disciplines
Key methodologies and research disciplines include applied imaging, advanced developments of multi-modal imaging (ultrasound, ultra-Slice CT, PET and MRI) population surveys, analyses of health administrative data, randomized controlled trials, pragmatic trials, systematic review and meta-analysis, knowledge translation, health policy, health informatics and physician education.
Program Themes
Currently, there are more than 70 active clinical research studies being coordinated through the KCRU. Some of the larger program themes include:
- Dialysis induced multi-organ injury;
- New dialysis techniques, including wearable devices;
- The role of hydration in chronic kidney disease;
- Living kidney donation;
- Renal effects of E. coli O157:H7;
- Plasma exchange randomized trials;
- Peri-operative medicine and the kidney;
- Vascular access; and
- Renal informatics.
Contact
For more information, contact the KCRU:
- Phone: 519-685-8502
- Email: kcru@lhsc.on.ca