Background
Brian Rifkin
Potassium Rollercoaster Heartbreak

This week, we will discuss the use of 3K dialysis bath with sodium zirconium cyclosilicate versus 2K bath and no potassium lowering medications in dialysis patients and the associated risk of arrhythmia.

Potassium Rollercoaster Heartbreak
Background
Jade Teakell
FLOZINATing to the Future- Long Term Effects of ...

This week, we will discuss post-trial follow-up for EMPA-Kidney. What are the longer-term effects of empagliflozin for patients with chronic kidney disease?

FLOZINATing to the Future- Long Term Effects of Empagliflozin in Patients with CKD
Background
Brian Rifkin
The Ondansetron Ballet: Torsades de Pointes

Nausea is a very common and distressing problem. Some medications that treat nausea carry a higher risk for arrhythmias, like Torsades de Pointes, and sudden cardiac death. Is ondansetron safe for use in patients on hemodialysis?

The Ondansetron Ballet: Torsades de Pointes
Background
Cristina Adriana Popa
Re”FINE”ing the role of non steroidal MRAs in ...

This week, we will discuss non-steroidal mineralocorticoid antagonist in the multiverse of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic. What FINEHEART pooled analysis would add to what we already learned from FIDELIO-DKD trial?

Re”FINE”ing the role of non steroidal MRAs in Cardio Kidney Metabolic syndrome
Background
Cristina Adriana Popa
Playing It Safe: Can Felzartamab Fill the Gap ...

This week is time antibody mediated rejection treatment in kidney transplant. A new molecule targeting CD38, on the horizon, safely tested in a phase 2 trial

Playing It Safe: Can Felzartamab Fill the Gap in AMR Treatment?

NephJC Statement on Anti-Racism

Black lives matter

As physicians, scientists, healthcare workers, and kidney health advocates, the NephJC Working Group stand unequivocally against racism or bigotry in any form. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that is killing people of color disproportionately, more Black lives were lost senselessly at the hands of law enforcement and citizens in the United States. We recognize that racial inequity and ethnic violence is a world-wide problem and we condemn individual and systemic racism, not only as citizens of the world, but as healthcare professionals who work daily to fight kidney disease, which disproportionately impacts people of color.

We have created and grown a digital platform to facilitate real-time, international discussion of issues relevant to the kidney health community. Because racial injustice and racial disparities impact our Black patients, Black colleagues, and other patients of color, we aim to increase awareness of racial inequity and to promote fairness. With our significant presence in the #MedTwitter space, we are committed to active allyship and building supportive relationships that will effect change.

We ask that all members of the NephJC community come together to reflect on, examine, and discuss how we can work towards ending systemic and institutional racism and promoting equity in kidney health. We advocate approaching these conversations with a mentality of growth, not focusing on the person but rather on patterns of behaviors so that we all can grow together.

To that end, we aim to provide a safe forum for these discussions, which may be uncomfortable but are necessary. Specifically:

  • We will not tolerate disrespectful or racist comments, which violate our code of conduct. 

  • We encourage all members of our working group and NephJC participants to suggest manuscripts and topics relevant to systemic racism, particularly in how it impacts kidney health. 

  • We welcome all members of the NephJC community to submit blog posts about ongoing initiatives and ideas to combat racism in medicine and medical education.

  • We will add a NephJC Kidney Award to highlight projects or research on racial disparities and anti-racism in kidney medicine. We welcome feedback on the scope and naming of this new award category.

  • We are soliciting additional feedback on how we can leverage our online platform to fight racism and racial inequity. (email captopril@nephjc.com)

Below are links to some organizations and articles to encourage more conversation.

Twitter accounts to follow for more information:

Websites

Signed the NephJC Board of Directors for the NephJC Work Group

  • Anna Burgner

  • Michelle Rheault

  • Matt Sparks

  • Joel M. Topf

  • Swapnil Hiremath


Correlation is Confusion not Causation: The Case of Uric Acid in CKD

Correlation is Confusion not Causation: The Case of Uric Acid in CKD

This week, we will discuss the fresh-off-the-press trials from this week’s issue of the NEJM: PERL and CKD-FiX. These two trials examined if the uric acid and CKD link is causal: by measuring CKD progression after giving patients allopurinol. Be ready for another medical reversal.