Description

Interventional Nephrology is a new and emerging subspecialty of Nephrology that deals mainly with kidney ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided renal biopsy, insertion of peritoneal dialysis catheters, tunnelled dialysis catheters as vascular access for patients undergoing heamodialysis, and percutaneous endovascular procedures performed to manage dysfunction of arteriovenous fistulas or grafts in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Interventional Nephrology (IN) is a new and emerging subspecialty of Nephrology that mainly deals with:

Ultrasonography of kidneys and ultrasound-guided renal biopsy.
Insertion of peritoneal dialysis catheters (PDC) in ESRD patients
Percutaneous endovascular procedures performed to manage dysfunction of arteriovenous fistulas or grafts in ESRD patients

Traditionally, these procedures have been delegated to a variety of specialists, resulting in delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation. Nephrologists have taken the initiative to perform these procedures themselves in order to avoid delays. These specialists are ideally suited to perform this activity due to their unique perspective on dialysis. Indeed, recent research has shown that nephrologists can perform these procedures safely and successfully, with excellent outcomes.

The success of the nephrologist’s role in Interventional Nephrology ensures that renal patients are managed optimally, with effectiveness, safety, and at a lower cost to the public health system. As a prerequisite for the concept’s success, nephrologists must receive adequate training and develop the necessary skills in the new fields.