Tag: nephrology

1. The reduction in Brain Natriuretic Peptide, in conjunction with worsening renal failure, can predict prognosis of patients with acute heart failure Evidence Rating: 2 (Good) For patients with acute heart failure (AHF), congestion is one of the primary reasons for hospital admission. A common decongestive treatment employs intravenous loop diuretics:...

1. In this multicenter, double blind study, IgA nephropathy patients had improved kidney function with corticosteroid treatment compared to those treated with placebo. 2. Unfortunately, patients receiving corticosteroids had high rates of serious adverse events, primarily infections, and recruitment for the trial was stopped early. Evidence Rating Level: 1 (Excellent) Study Rundown:...

1. This retrospective analysis examined 24 children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, all initially treated with rituximab after failing traditional therapies (e.g. steroids, calcineurin inhibitors).  2. Children treated with both rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) were more likely to have sustained complete remission of their nephrotic syndrome compared to those treated...

Image: PD G protein coupled receptor 1. Loss-of-function mutations in Gɑ11 cause type 2 familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia. 2.  Gain-of-function mutations in Gɑ11 can cause autosomal dominant hypocalcemia Study Rundown: The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is expressed in two key regulators of calcium homeostasis: the parathyroid and the kidney. High levels of calcium...

Image: PD 1. Low birth weight is identified as a risk factor for later life hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD). 2. Maternal health/nutrition, genetics, and prenatal/postnatal environment are risk factors for low birth weight. Evidence Rating Level: 3 (Fair) Study Rundown: Developmental programming is a theory that connects environmental effects during fetal...

Image: PD 1. Very obese patients older than 65 had a 1.68 odds ratio (p=0.01) for acute kidney injury (AKI) compared with nonobese patients after patients were case matched for relevant risk factors.  2. 514 AKI cases were identified, 180 (35%) were orthopedic procedures and 334 (65%) followed colon or thoracic...