Qi Qian, M.D.

The professional focus of Qi Qian, M.D., is on clinical patient care, research and education in the area of renal tubular disorders. This focus builds on her skills as a physiologist and clinician-investigator.

From 2000 to 2008, she conducted basic research on the renal/vascular pathophysiology of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) through funding obtained from Mayo Clinic, the PKD Foundation and the National Institutes of Health (K08 and R03 grants).

Dr. Qian's expertise in renal physiology and pathophysiology adds an important dimension to her management of patients with renal tubular diseases, including dysnatremia (hypernatremia and hyponatremia), dyskalemia (hyperkalemia and hypokalemia), acute kidney injury, and a variety of other renal tubular disorders and acidoses.

Dr. Qian heads the Mayo Clinic Acid-Base Electrolyte Interest Group and Acid-Base Electrolyte Subspecialty Clinic. She is the principal investigator on a number of studies, including projects looking at the effects of tolvaptan on patients with hyponatremia and outcomes of electrolyte alterations in hospitalized patients.

Focus areas

• Dysnatremia (hypernatremia and hyponatremia)
• Dyskalemia (hyperkalemia and hypokalemia)
• Hypomagnesemia
• Renal tubular acidosis
• Hereditary renal tubular disorders

Significance to patient care

Blood electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities carry debilitating consequences. Early recognition, timely evaluation and management are critical and can be life saving.