We have all seen the story play out before: a patient with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who is new to a hospital system is hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure. A look at their complete metabolic panel shows a Cr of 2.0 mg/dL (with a corresponding eGFR of 35 mL/min/1.73m2), and despite … Read more
Two AHA Councils, the Council on Hypertension and the Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease, have joined forces with the American Society of Hypertension to make Joint Hyptertension 2018 Scientific Sessions (#Hypertension18) among the most impactful. Dr. Karen Griffin, FAHA Vice Chair for the Council on Hypertension Scientific Sessions Planning Committee calls it the “premier scientific … Read more
“He felt well, so he didn’t follow up with his doctor.” Our nephrology team was gathering history about a patient who had landed in the Emergency Department with advanced kidney failure and its consequences: confusion, severe anemia, metabolic acidosis, and a high blood potassium threatening to push him into cardiac arrest. We asked the family: … Read more
I was in medical school when the JAMA paper came out that reported superiority with sodium bicarbonate IV fluids over normal saline in preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury. This was a Big Deal. Kidney injury is associated with prolonged hospital stays and increased risk of death. I recall carefully making a note of the exact … Read more