Within the last 2 years dialysis facilities in the US have been adjusting to the now not-so-new Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Coverage. CMS, as many of you know, funds the ESRD program to…
It seems like there have been a lot of recent developments in the management of hypertension, and several sacred cows have become burgermeat. I thought I’d summarize a few of these important developments here: 1. Blood pressure targets…
In recent months I’ve been seeing a number of referrals for patients with creatinine values in the normal range but eGFR as reported by the lab at below 60ml/min. This is particularly the case in middle aged women….
I’d like to welcome the following new contributors to the Renal Fellow Network, who will begin writing this week. Between them, they have a wide range of clinical expertise and research interests. I’m confident that their contributions will…
I’m sure many of you have a pet dog. Well, as Rover quietly licks himself in the corner, few would believe that he may hold the key to unlocking the genetic secrets of human disease, as suggested by…
Thank you to everyone who has made contact with the Renal Fellow Network over the past week or so. Your outpouring of love and support has been a great comfort to Nate’s family and friends at this difficult…
It is with great sadness and sorrow that I am writing to inform you of the passing of Nathan Hellman, MD, PhD, and founder of the Renal Fellow Network Blog. I worked with Nathan in the Division of…
Tamm-Horsfall protein (THP), or uromodulin, is a glycoprotein secreted by the renal epithelium, best known as the proteinacious framework of all urinary casts. It’s function in health is an enigma, but prevention of bacterial colonization of the urinary…
Warfarin has recently been associated with an increased risk of stroke in ESRD patients with atrial fibrillation. This makes the decision whether to initiate warfarin therapy in dialysis patients with atrial fibrilltion anything but clear cut. Add to…
I was on the phone to one of my friends the other day. He’s a renal fellow currently doing lab-based research in Boston. He’s been having a difficult time of it lately, with none of his experiments working…
