Ali K. Abu-Alfa, M.D., F.A.S.N.

Associate Professor of Medicine
Director of Clinical Trials
Director, Peritoneal Dialysis Program
Associate Medical Director for Outpatient Dialysis

B.S., 1985: American University of Beirut
M.D., 1985: American University of Beirut
Residency: Northwestern University
Fellowship: Yale University

E-mail: ali.abu-alfa@yale.edu

I am primarily interested in improving the delivery and methods of peritoneal dialysis, especially Automated Peritoneal Dialysis. I also focus on advocating for patient choice of renal replacement therapy. I am actively involved in the issues surrounding Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis and Gadolinium Containing Contrast Agents, focusing on epidemiology, policy and risk reduction. I am also involved in efforts aiming at optimizing the care of patients with chronic kidney disease with particular focus on anemia management, treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism and on the transition to the ESRD phase. An emphasis is placed on the maximal utilization of informatics in the design and implementation of projects.

My primary clinical interests are Peritoneal Dialysis, Nephrogenic Systemic Firbosis, Chronic Kidney Disease, ESRD and pre-Dialysis Care, Anemia, Seconary Hyperparathyroidism and Bone Disease.

PubMed Search for articles by faculty member

References

Kuo, PH, Kanal, M, Abu-Alfa, AK and Cowper, SE: Gadolinium-based MR Contrast Agents and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis. Radiology 2007, 242(3):647-9

Saab G and Abu-Alfa, AK: Are Patients with Moderate Renal Failure at Risk for Developing Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis? Radiology 2007; 244: 930

Saab G and Abu-Alfa, AK: Will Dialysis Prevent the Development of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis After Gadolinium-Based Contrast Administration? AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2007 Sep; 189 ( 3): W169.

Abu-Alfa , AK : The Impact of NSF on the Care of Patients with Kidney Disease. Proceedings of the First Annual Symposium on Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis and Gadolinium Based MR Contrast Agents. J Am Coll Radiol 2008; 5: 45-52.

Saab G and Abu-Alfa, AK: Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis-Implications for nephrologists. Eur J Radiol. 2008 [Epub ahead of print]

Abu-Alfa, AK , Sloan L, Charytan C, Sekkarie M, Scarlata D, Globe D and Audhya P. Darbepoetin alfa The association of darbepoetin alfa with hemoglobin and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease not receiving dialysis. Curr Med Res Opin. 2008 [Epub ahead of print]

Finkelstein F, Healy H, Abu-Alfa, AK, Ahmad A, Brown F, Gehr T, Nash K, Sorkin M and Mujais S, on behalf of the Icodextrin High Transporter Trial Group. Superiority of Icodextrin Compared to 4.25% Dextrose for Peritoneal Ultrafiltration. J Am Soc Nephrol 2005, 16: 546-554.

Block, GA, Martin, KJ, de Francisco ALM, Turner SA, Avram MM, Suranyi MG, Hercz G, Cunningham J, Abu-Alfa AK, Messa P, Coyne DW, Locatelli F, Cohen RM, Evenepoel P, Moe SM, Fournier F, Braun J, McCary LC, Zani VJ, Olson KA, Drüeke TB and Goodman WG. The Calcimimetic Cinacalcet Hydrochloride (AMG 073) for the Treatment of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Hemodialysis Patients. New England J. Med 2004, 350 (15): 1520-1529.

Abu-Alfa, A.; Burkart, J.; Piraino, B.; Pulliam, J. and Mujais, S.: Approach to fluid management in peritoneal dialysis: A practical algorithm. Kidney International, 2002 (62), S8 -S16.