Cleveland COPE-AKI care program for people recovering from severe acute kidney injury

Cleveland COPE-AKI Clinical Center

NIH-funded research Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11136280

This project tests whether a nurse-led, doctor-supervised remote care pathway that closely manages blood pressure and protein in the urine can reduce long-term kidney problems for people who had severe acute kidney injury.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cleveland, United States)
Project IDNIH-11136280 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you survive a severe episode of acute kidney injury in the hospital, this program compares usual follow-up care with an intensive Champion Care Pathway led by a virtual nurse-navigator under a nephrologist's supervision. The team will regularly screen and closely monitor blood pressure and urine protein, use guideline-based medicines that affect the renin-angiotensin system, and optimize fluid management. Follow-up includes remote visits and coordinated care to try to catch and treat problems early. The goal is to lower the chance of progressing to chronic kidney disease, dialysis, or death, and to improve quality of life.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults who were hospitalized with severe acute kidney injury (KDIGO stage 2 or 3) and are being discharged with ongoing concerns about blood pressure or protein in the urine are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who did not have severe AKI, whose kidney issues are unrelated to the AKI episode, or who already have optimal blood-pressure and proteinuria control may not gain benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower the risk of long-term kidney failure, improve patient-reported outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs.

How similar studies have performed: Treating high blood pressure and proteinuria is a proven way to slow chronic kidney disease, but applying an intensive, nurse-led remote care pathway specifically for AKI survivors is relatively new and not yet established.

Where this research is happening

Cleveland, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.