Department of Nephrology (17)

About the department

The Department of Nephrology at the Helios Hospital Hildesheim provides highly accurate diagnostics and effective treatment of the full range of kidney diseases. The department also provides high-quality medical care for patients suffering from arterial hypertension, water-electrolyte and acid-base balance disorders. The department's nephrologists have a wealth of experience in caring for patients after kidney transplantation. In this area, the task of the specialists is to prevent rejection of the transplanted kidney and maintain its normal function. In addition, the department is known for its successful achievements in the field of renal replacement therapy (dialysis). More than 26,500 dialysis procedures are performed in the medical facility annually. The experienced specialists in this field are available to patients 24 hours a day. The department has excellent resources to provide high-quality medical care and restore normal kidney function. The medical team cooperates closely with cardiologists and other doctors from related fields, which guarantees a comprehensive approach to treatment. The Chief Physician of the department is Prof. Dr. med. Burkhard Kreft.

The main department's focus is on the diagnostics and treatment of acute and chronic kidney failure. Chronic kidney failure is diagnosed with a gradual deterioration in kidney function, while the acute form of the disease is characterized by a sudden dysfunction of the organ. To establish an accurate diagnosis, doctors carry out a blood test and an urinalysis, and also measure blood pressure. If necessary, imaging diagnostic methods can also be used, including ultrasound and X-ray examinations. With the confirmed diagnosis, the attending physician individually develops the optimal treatment regimen for the patient. The department's doctors usually use a set of drugs to normalize kidney function. In more complex clinical cases, renal replacement therapy (dialysis) is required. Kidney failure is often accompanied by impaired water-electrolyte and acid-base balance. When such changes are detected, the specialists of the medical facility carry out appropriate drug therapy, and also recommend the patient to follow a certain diet.

In case of severe forms of kidney failure, the only effective treatment is renal replacement therapy – dialysis. The essence of the therapeutic procedure is that waste products and excess fluid are removed from the body artificially. This means that dialysis completely replaces kidney function. The department provides all modern types of dialysis: hemodialysis, hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration, peritoneal dialysis and hemoperfusion (in case of poisoning). Home hemodialysis is also possible. The required form of dialysis is prescribed to the patient exclusively on an individual basis, taking into account particular clinical indications. In addition, the department uses modern procedures for blood purification, such as plasmapheresis and extracorporeal photopheresis.

The team of the department's nephrologists also admits patients with arterial hypertension caused by kidney diseases. The very latest diagnostic techniques are available in the medical facility to determine the causes of the development of arterial hypertension. After assessing the function of the kidneys and heart (in collaboration with cardiologists), the patient is prescribed the optimal course of drug therapy to normalize blood pressure.

The department's range of therapeutic services includes:

• Drug therapy
• Renal replacement therapy (dialysis)
  • Hemodialysis
  • Hemofiltration
  • Hemodiafiltration
  • Peritoneal dialysis
  • Home hemodialysis
  • Hemoperfusion (in case of poisoning)
• Blood purification procedures
  • Plasmapheresis
  • Extracorporeal photopheresis
• Caring for patients after kidney transplantation
• Other medical services

Photo of the doctor: (c) Helios Kliniken GmbH