Expert Kidney Care at One of China's Premier Academic Medical Centers
The Department of Nephrology at Ruijin Hospital — affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine — is one of China's most distinguished and research-active nephrology centers, with a national reputation for excellence in the diagnosis and management of glomerular diseases, chronic kidney disease, rare kidney disorders, and kidney transplantation. The department combines outstanding clinical expertise with a productive research program, offering international patients access to some of China's most eminent nephrologists and the latest evidence-based treatments for complex renal conditions.
For international patients seeking expert nephrology care in Shanghai — whether for a complex glomerulonephritis, difficult-to-manage CKD, a rare kidney disease, or a second opinion on a challenging renal diagnosis — Ruijin Hospital's nephrology department represents one of the most compelling destinations in Asia. China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) provides seamless end-to-end coordination for international patients throughout their care journey.
About the Department
Ruijin Hospital's nephrology department is a national key clinical specialty operating a comprehensive renal unit that includes dedicated inpatient nephrology wards, a dialysis center (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis), a kidney biopsy service, a renal pathology laboratory, a kidney transplantation program, and subspecialty clinics for glomerular disease, CKD, hypertensive nephropathy, diabetic kidney disease, and rare kidney disorders.
The department's renal pathology laboratory is one of the most comprehensive in Shanghai, providing light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy for kidney biopsy specimens — enabling precise pathological diagnosis of complex glomerular diseases that require expert renal pathological interpretation. Faculty members publish regularly in leading nephrology journals including Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), Kidney International, Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN), and American Journal of Kidney Diseases.
Conditions Treated
- IgA Nephropathy — Comprehensive management including optimized RAS blockade, SGLT2 inhibitors, targeted-release budesonide (Nefecon), and immunosuppression for high-risk disease
- Membranous Nephropathy — Anti-PLA2R antibody-guided therapy; rituximab, calcineurin inhibitors, and cyclophosphamide-based regimens; monitoring for spontaneous remission
- Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) — Primary and secondary FSGS; corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and novel therapies including sparsentan
- Minimal Change Disease — Corticosteroid therapy and management of frequently relapsing and steroid-dependent disease
- Lupus Nephritis — Multidisciplinary management with rheumatology; mycophenolate, cyclophosphamide, voclosporin, and belimumab combinations
- ANCA-Associated Vasculitis with Renal Involvement — Rituximab and cyclophosphamide induction; avacopan; plasma exchange for severe disease
- Anti-GBM Disease (Goodpasture Syndrome) — Urgent plasma exchange, cyclophosphamide, and corticosteroids
- Diabetic Kidney Disease — Integrated management with endocrinology; SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, finerenone, and RAS blockade for cardiorenal protection
- Hypertensive Nephrosclerosis — Blood pressure optimization and renoprotective therapy
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Stages 1–5 — Comprehensive CKD management with a focus on slowing progression, managing complications, and preparing for renal replacement therapy
- Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) — Tolvaptan therapy for ADPKD; genetic counseling; cyst complication management
- Alport Syndrome — Genetic diagnosis, RAS blockade, and emerging targeted therapies
- Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TMA) — TTP (plasma exchange, caplacizumab), aHUS (eculizumab, ravulizumab), and secondary TMA
- Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) — Intensive management including CRRT; AKI-to-CKD transition prevention
- Nephrotic Syndrome — Comprehensive management of edema, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and thrombotic risk
- Renal Tubular Disorders — Fanconi syndrome, renal tubular acidosis, Bartter and Gitelman syndromes
- Kidney Transplantation — Pre-transplant evaluation, post-transplant immunosuppression management, rejection treatment, and long-term graft care
Leading Specialist
Prof. Chen Nan (陈楠) — Director, Nephrology
Prof. Chen Nan is one of China's most eminent nephrologists and a nationally recognized authority in glomerular diseases, rare kidney disorders, and the clinical management of complex renal conditions. As Director of the Department of Nephrology at Ruijin Hospital, she leads one of China's most productive nephrology clinical and research programs.
Prof. Chen is particularly recognized for her expertise in the diagnosis and management of complex glomerulonephritis, including IgA nephropathy, membranous nephropathy, FSGS, and rare glomerular diseases. Her clinical program is distinguished by its emphasis on precise pathological diagnosis — using the department's comprehensive renal pathology laboratory to guide individualized treatment decisions — and by its adoption of the latest evidence-based therapies including anti-PLA2R antibody-guided treatment for membranous nephropathy, targeted-release budesonide for IgA nephropathy, and complement inhibitors for aHUS.
Prof. Chen has also been a leader in the study of rare kidney diseases in China, including Alport syndrome, thin basement membrane nephropathy, and hereditary nephropathies, contributing to the genetic diagnosis and management of these conditions. Her research has been published in leading nephrology journals including JASN, Kidney International, and CJASN, and she has been a key contributor to national nephrology guidelines in China.
Kidney Biopsy & Renal Pathology
Precise pathological diagnosis is the cornerstone of nephrology at Ruijin Hospital. The department performs percutaneous kidney biopsies under ultrasound guidance with a high safety record, and all biopsy specimens are processed in the department's dedicated renal pathology laboratory providing:
- Light Microscopy — H&E, PAS, PASM, and Masson trichrome staining for structural assessment
- Immunofluorescence — IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, C1q, fibrinogen, and light chain staining for immune deposit characterization
- Electron Microscopy — Ultrastructural assessment for precise characterization of immune deposits, basement membrane abnormalities, and podocyte changes
- Special Stains & Immunohistochemistry — Congo red for amyloid, PLA2R staining for membranous nephropathy, and other specialized stains
Dialysis Program
Ruijin's dialysis program provides both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis for patients with end-stage kidney disease:
- Hemodialysis — Conventional and high-flux hemodialysis; online hemodiafiltration (HDF) for enhanced middle molecule clearance; nocturnal and short daily hemodialysis for selected patients
- Peritoneal Dialysis — CAPD and APD; PD catheter insertion; PD adequacy monitoring and prescription optimization
- Acute Dialysis & CRRT — Continuous renal replacement therapy for critically ill patients with AKI
Novel & Emerging Therapies
Ruijin's nephrology department is at the forefront of adopting novel therapies for kidney disease as they become available:
- SGLT2 Inhibitors — Empagliflozin and dapagliflozin for CKD with and without diabetes; cardiorenal protection across GFR stages
- Finerenone — Non-steroidal MRA for diabetic kidney disease
- Sparsentan — Dual endothelin/angiotensin receptor antagonist for IgA nephropathy and FSGS
- Targeted-Release Budesonide (Nefecon) — For high-risk IgA nephropathy
- Avacopan — Complement C5a receptor inhibitor for ANCA-associated vasculitis
- Eculizumab & Ravulizumab — Complement inhibitors for aHUS and other complement-mediated kidney diseases
- Caplacizumab — Anti-vWF nanobody for TTP
- Tolvaptan — V2 receptor antagonist for ADPKD
Why International Patients Choose Ruijin Nephrology
- Glomerular Disease Expertise — One of China's most experienced centers for complex glomerulonephritis diagnosis and management
- Comprehensive Renal Pathology — In-house light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy for precise kidney biopsy interpretation
- Rare Kidney Disease Leadership — Expert diagnosis and management of hereditary nephropathies, TMA, and other rare renal conditions
- Novel Therapy Access — Early adoption of the latest approved therapies including sparsentan, Nefecon, avacopan, and SGLT2 inhibitors
- Integrated Multidisciplinary Care — Close collaboration with rheumatology, endocrinology, and transplant surgery for complex cases
- Cost-Effectiveness — World-class nephrology care at significantly lower cost than equivalent treatment in Western countries
The CMCS Patient Journey
- Initial Inquiry — Share your kidney disease history, recent lab results (creatinine, GFR, proteinuria, urine ACR), biopsy reports, serological results, and current medications with CMCS.
- Medical Record Preparation — We translate and organize your records for specialist pre-consultation review.
- Specialist Matching — We identify the most appropriate nephrologist based on your specific condition.
- Priority Scheduling — We secure a consultation with minimal waiting time.
- Travel & Logistics — Assistance with visa invitation letters, accommodation near Ruijin Hospital, and Shanghai airport transfers.
- On-Site Concierge — Bilingual coordinators accompany you throughout your hospital visits, managing registration, translation, and communication.
- Diagnostic Support — Full coordination of kidney biopsy, renal pathology processing, serological testing, and imaging.
- Post-Treatment Follow-Up — Biopsy report translation, treatment plan interpretation, and remote follow-up coordination after you return home.
Book a Consultation
If you are seeking expert nephrology care in Shanghai — whether for glomerulonephritis, CKD, lupus nephritis, rare kidney disease, or a second opinion on a complex renal diagnosis — CMCS can arrange a specialist consultation with Ruijin Hospital's nephrology team.
📧 contract@medicalsh.com
💬 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/message/3AM6KAGCW2BAD1
🌐 www.medicalsh.com
0 comentarios