SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 31 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The University Hospital Complex of the Canary Islands (HUC), in collaboration with the University of La Laguna (ULL), has introduced an innovative approach to evaluate kidney function in a simple, precise, and efficient manner, which enhances the patient’s experience and optimises resources. This method, developed by a team led by researcher Esteban Porrini at ULL and clinical biochemist Sergio Luis Lima from the HUC Central Laboratory, establishes both institutions as pioneers in medical innovation and excellence.
A press conference was held at the hospital on Wednesday to introduce this method, attended by the manager Adasat Goya, the scientific director of the Canary Islands Health Research Institute Fernando Gutiérrez, nephrologist and researcher at the University of La Laguna Esteban Porrini, clinical biochemist at the hospital Sergio Luis Lima, and the head of the Central Laboratory service Mª Luisa Díez.
During the conference, the researchers highlighted their primary goal of providing patients in need with a dependable method to assess their kidney function in routine clinical practice. The method, known as “Plasma Clearance of Iohexol with DBS” (Dry Blood Spots), has benefited over 3,000 patients, primarily from the Canary Islands.
This team has secured funding for a Personalised Medicine Project “National Network of Renal Function Laboratories” through European PERTE Funds. The immediate objective is to introduce this method to other facilities in Spain and Europe for patient care. Moreover, the Renal Function Laboratory at the HUC and ULL aspires to become a benchmark for the Canary Islands region with this technique.
Traditionally, evaluating kidney function involved intricate and uncomfortable procedures for the patient, requiring multiple blood samples after administering a molecule as a kidney function marker, making the process uncomfortable for the patient.
SAFE AND STERILE SAMPLE
Thanks to this research, the technique has been simplified using micro blood drops obtained through a fingertip puncture, deposited on filter paper for subsequent analysis.
This method significantly reduces the amount of blood needed from the patient. Additionally, blood on filter paper is a secure, non-infectious sample that can be sent to various laboratories by post. This makes “Iohexol Clearance-DBS” a practical method in the region, allowing different centres to send their samples to a central laboratory.
These advantages make the method beneficial for patients with chronic kidney disease, especially in children, kidney donors participating in the Living Donor Programme, patients with kidney and other organ transplants (liver, lung, heart), and for improved dosing of drugs eliminated by the kidney. Moreover, it represents significant cost savings for the national healthcare system.
The HUC and ULL have collaborated with the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) and General Electric HealthCare to add a new indication for iohexol in its technical documentation. Hence, patients in Spain requiring an accurate assessment of kidney function can benefit from this technological advancement, a result of applied international research. The recent establishment of the Health Research Institute in the Canary Islands further supports such research.
SOLE FACILITY
Presently, the HUC is the sole institution worldwide utilising this technique, with plans to expand its implementation to all hospitals within the National Network of Renal Function Laboratories, encompassing fifteen facilities across eight autonomous communities. The Renal Function Laboratory comprises a diverse team, including a research nurse, laboratory technician, computer programmer, and research personnel from various health science backgrounds.
The primary objective of the work conducted in this laboratory is “to give back to society what it has given us for our research development.”
