Professor Ashot Sargsyan emphasizes the significance of examining urinary stones and understanding their composition in the #OPENFamilyEducation series, offering advice to parents. 

  Public television also covered the symposium held on the occasion of World Kidney Day. Discover why kidney health is so important, including insights into the most prevalent kidney problems and those that are less common. Learn about the modern methods used for detecting and treating kidney issues. Find out more details in the accompanying video.   From hemodialysis and kidney transplant to onco-nephrology, the “Kidney Health for All” symposium has drawn the participation of over 80 doctors. The event not only features presentations and analyses, but also highlights rare cases encountered in clinical practice.   Ashot Sargsyan, President of the Armenian Pediatric Association and Head of the Nephrology Service at the “Arabkir” Medical Center, remarked: “Among the selected topics, we have prioritized discussions on highly significant diseases affecting various departments and clinics. These include nephrology in oncology, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, and other prevalent conditions.” Here’s an excerpt from the remarks of Ara Babloyan, the Scientific Director of the “Arabkir” Medical Center: “Nephrology is a complex, fascinating and deeply intricate field of both profession and science. Each aspect requires thorough consideration and dedication, a continual process of giving and receiving knowledge. Today, we embarked on this journey together during our symposium.”   In Armenia, as in the rest of the world, the incidence of kidney pathologies is on the rise each year. Currently, there are over a thousand individuals undergoing hemodialysis treatment, while kidney transplants are exclusively performed using donations from related donors.   Milena Voskanyan, Head of the Follow-up department for Organ Transplant Patients at “Arabkir” Medical Center, remarked: “Today, we will also review the outcomes and advancements of kidney transplantation in Armenia over the years. In the past two decades, we have successfully conducted 245 kidney transplants from related donors, marking significant progress. Notably, we have witnessed the remarkable success of four young women who have undergone kidney transplants and collectively have five children. It's heartening to see both the children and the transplant recipients living healthy lives.”   The symposium also covers primary and secondary pathologies of kidney diseases. Nerses Ghahramanyan, Head of the Follow-up/Dispensary Department at the Hematology and Chemotherapy Clinic of the Hematology Center after Yolyan under the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Armenia, explained: “I will discuss the diagnosis and treatment of AL Amyloidosis, a rare and serious disease. While several cases are diagnosed each year, treatment typically involves chemotherapy drugs and immunotherapy. In some cases, bone marrow transplantation may be necessary.” The meeting also addresses hemolytic-uremic syndrome, with presentations on the Armenian experience. Ashot Sargsyan, President of the Armenian Pediatric Association and Head of the Nephrology Service at “Arabkir” Medical Center, shared: “Hemolytic-uremic syndrome has become prevalent in Armenia, with recent outbreaks observed. This condition, commonly found in children, has also affected adults. We even encountered a case of a pregnant woman who successfully delivered after undergoing long-term dialysis, which is a significant achievement.”   Many kidney diseases develop without noticeable symptoms and can only be detected through regular screenings.

  Watch the video from “Mir” TV company covering the symposium dedicated to World Kidney Day. The slogan for the day is “Kidney health for everyone: prioritizing access to care and treatment.” #WorldKidneyDay2024 #ArabkirMC   https://mir24.tv/.../vsemirnyi-den-pochki-v-erevane…  

  News.am reports on the symposium held to mark World Kidney Day, an event chosen in the medical calendar primarily to raise public awareness and discuss diseases and their prevention. The speeches at the symposium were predominantly professional yet informative.   https://med.news.am/.../erikamayin-anbavararutyunn-aylevs... #WorldKidneyDay #ArabkirMC Kidney failure is no longer considered a death sentence. What treatment methods are available in Armenia today, and what advancements can we expect in the future?   Just 50 years ago, kidney failure, along with most other kidney diseases, was often perceived as a terminal condition. However, today, patients with these diseases in Armenia are focusing not on life expectancy, but on improving their quality of life and selecting the most suitable treatment for their specific circumstances.   The development of nephrology and onco-nephrology in Armenia, introduction of advanced treatment methods of kidney diseases, including transplantation. All these topics were discussed during a symposium organized at the “Arabkir” Medical Center - Institute of Children and Adolescent Health in honor of World Kidney Day, a global event celebrated since 2006. Professor Ashot Sargsyan, the Head of the Nephrology, Hemodialysis and Kidney Transplantation Clinic at the “Arabkir” Medical Center, highlighted to NEWS.am Medicine that the purpose of World Kidney Day is to raise awareness about kidney diseases, which are increasingly prevalent worldwide. The symposium focused on addressing the most pressing issues currently faced in Armenia concerning kidney health. Nephrology in Armenia: Progressing from a “life sentence” to Hemodialysis Implementation   Pediatric urologist-surgeon, Doctor of Medical Sciences and Professor Ara Babloyan shared with NEWS.am Medicine that in the 1960s and 1970s, it was commonly believed that individuals with kidney failure faced an unpromising future. Unfortunately, during those years, this belief was not unfounded, as there were limited options available for such patients in Armenia.   The severity of the situation became evident following the 1988 Spitak earthquake, where many survivors tragically died due to the lack of hemodialysis equipment.   As explained by Dr. Helen Nazaryan, Head of the Hemodialysis and Kidney Transplant Department, some survivors who were trapped under rubble for extended periods developed a condition known as “Crash syndrome”, characterized by acute kidney failure. For these individuals, continuous hemodialysis treatment, sometimes lasting up to 40 days, was crucial for recovery and future quality of life. Without dialysis, survival was unlikely. Regrettably, this was the fate for many earthquake victims. Despite international aid efforts, there remained a shortage of dialysis machines.   Following the earthquake, hemodialysis machines were introduced in Armenia, as explained by Dr. Nazaryan. Specialized departments were established in various hospitals, and medical personnel received training. Today, there are 16 hemodialysis departments across the country, all equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.   Transplantation: New Hope and Improved Quality of Life  While hemodialysis can rescue individuals from potential death in cases of kidney failure, undergoing this procedure three times a week for 15-20 years can pose certain challenges and adversely affect their quality of life. Dr. Nazaryan also noted that for pediatric patients, persistent dialysis can slow down their growth and development. For such individuals, a kidney transplant offers a solution, promising a fuller life.   According to Professor Babloyan, the first kidney transplant surgeries in Armenia date back to the 1970s.Initially sporadic, these operations became more frequent after 1991. By 1994, approximately 20 kidney transplants from deceased donors had been conducted in Armenia, with organs often procured from Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), as Dr. Nazaryan recalled.   Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the country encountered certain challenges, resulting in a hiatus in transplant surgeries for several years. However, in 1999, Professor Babloyan successfully performed two more transplants. Subsequently, with the enactment of the Organ Transplantation Law in 2002, such procedures became more regular. As highlighted by Helen Nazaryan, from 2002 to the present, Armenia has witnessed 245 kidney transplants from living donors, offering renewed hope and improved quality of life for recipients.    Next steps: Cadaver Donors and Artificials Organs   Currently, up to 22 kidney transplants are performed annually in the republic. However, there is a much larger number of hemodialysis patients who require transplants, currently estimated at about 1,200.   For many of these patients, suitable donors cannot be found. However, the development of cadaver donation in the country could significantly improve the lives of at least some of these patients.   As mentioned by Dr. Nazaryan, there are currently no legal obstacles to cadaveric organ and tissue donation in Armenia, but there are some challenges related to the mindset of both the population and medical staff. Overcoming these obstacles and initiating organ transplantation from brain-dead individuals could potentially save the lives of many patients with serious kidney disease.   According to Ashot Sargsyan, addressing certain issues related to transplantation from both living and cadaver donors in the near future is desirable. Primarily, this includes addressing the issue of organ rejection, where the recipient's body rejects the transplanted organ. To prevent this, immunosuppressants are currently used, which unfortunately come with numerous unwanted side effects.   If a solution can be found, perhaps through genetic engineering or other methods, to make the recipient's body tolerant to the transplanted organ, eliminating the need for immunosuppression, it would mark a significant advancement in kidney disease treatment. Efforts in this direction are already underway, with many doctors and patients worldwide eagerly awaiting the results.   However, experts remain uncertain about the timeline for the development of artificial or 3D-printed organs for transplantation. According to Dr. Sargsyan, the kidney is a highly complex and “smart” organ, making it challenging to create an artificial replica. While he does not discount the possibility for the future, it remains uncertain. Additionally, xenotransplantation, the transplantation of organs from animals, may become a possibility in the near future, but significant scientific advancement would be required to achieve this.  

On March 14 in the frames of the World Kidney Day 2024, the Symposium on Kidney Health was held with participation of more than 85 medical doctors -pediatric and adult nephrologists, hemodialysis and intensive care doctors, surgeons and other specialists.. Professor Ara Babloyan - Scientific Head of the Arabkir MC and Professor Ashot Sarkissian – Head of Nephrology service of Arabkir MC, President of Armenian Association of Nephrologists, Hemodialysis and Transplant doctors and Armenian Pediatric Association - welcomed the participants. Scientific program of the Symposium was dedicated to AL Amyloidosis and developments of Onconephrology, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), Achievements and problems of Kidney Transplantation in Armenia. Lectures have been provided by specilaists of Arabkir MC, Mikaelyan University hospital, Hematology Center after Prof. Yolyan, National Center of Oncology named after Prof. Fanarjyan, Atsghik MC. Outstanding clinical cases were presented and discussed. The symposium was organized by the Armenian Pediatric Association in collaboration with Arabkir MC, Armenian Association of Nephrologists, Hemodialysis and Transplant doctors under support of the International Society of Nephrology. The participants will be issued the certificates with CME credits.  

  Kidneys are complex and interesting organs, often described in medical literature as a pair of fist-sized organs, located deep within the abdomen, beneath the rib cage. They perform numerous vital functions to maintain our health. Among these functions, the most fundamental is filtering toxins from the blood and regulating water balance. Additionally, kidneys play a crucial role in controlling our blood pressure, producing red blood cells, and ensuring bone health by regulating mineral levels such as sodium and potassium, as well as maintaining the body’s acid-base and water balance.   In honor of World Kidney Day, a symposium will be held today at 15:00 in the conference hall of the “Arabkir” Medical Center. This event is organized jointly by the Armenian Pediatric Association, Armenian Society of Nephrology, Hemodialysis and Transplantation, with the support of the International Society of Nephrologists. 

Symposia March 14: World Kidney Day.    The World Health Organization has announced this year's theme for the World Kidney Day: “Kidney Health for All – Advancing equitable access to care and optimal medication practice.” On this occasion, medical and public communities around the world host various events to raise awareness about kidney health.   The “Arabkir” Medical Center, the Armenian Pediatric Association, the Armenian Physicians’ Association of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, in collaboration with the International Society of Nephrology, are joining this initiative. We invite nephrologists, hemodialysis specialists, and all others interested to participate in the “World Kidney Day” symposia. The symposia will be held on March 14th at 15:30 in the conference hall of the medical center, located at Mamikonyants 30. The target audience includes adult and pediatric nephrologists, hemodialysis specialists, and transplantologists.     For any questions, please email [email protected] or [email protected]. 

Today is World Kidney Day. The theme is “Kidney Health for All”.   10% of the Earth's population have some type of kidney pathology and over 2 million people are on hemodialysis. Smoking, high blood pressure and obesity are bad for kidneys. Other health conditions can affect kidneys as well, and to prevent the damage, specialists recommend to drink 1.5-2 liters of water per day, stay physically active, eat healthy, limit salt intake and in case of symptoms see a doctor.    “Arabkir” MC is the leader in the nephrology field in Armenia. Since 2002 kidney transplantation has been performed here and the 200th transplant was done recently. Four departments in our medical complex work on kidney health: nephrology, uro-surgery, hemodialysis and transplantology departments.  We join our international colleagues and remind you that the prevention of any disease, including kidney pathologies, is better than cure.