Kidney Failure

In its proposed spending plan for 2020 released on February 10, the Trump administration includes a proposal to extend Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplant patients.

With the Advancing American Kidney Health as a backdrop, sessions planned for the Renal Physicians Association’s Annual Conference, taking place March 19-22 in Baltimore, are aimed at attracting both established and young nephrologists who will play an integral role in implementing the initiative.

Each year, the National Kidney Foundation’s Spring Clinical Meetings engages speakers from across the country to share the most current developments in nephrology. Topics are selected with the purpose of presenting health care providers, such as nephrologists, general internists, pharmacists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, social workers or dieticians, with the latest insights into caring for patients with kidney disease to better their practice.

Among patients with kidney failure and atrial fibrillation, racial/ethnic minorities were less likely to fill a prescription for warfarin and were more likely to experience stroke than white patients, according to a recently published study.

Research conducted in Ireland found that, for patients with ESKD, treatment with either peritoneal dialysis or in-center hemodialysis conferred equal survival benefits.

Antidote Technologies — in partnership with a variety of organizations, including the American Kidney Fund — conducted a survey that revealed the motivations of clinical trial participants. The survey identified differences in attitudes between white and minority patients and highlighted potential barriers faced by non-white patients.

How physicians assess chronic kidney disease and its progression among adults with type 2 diabetes may be changing due to a new prognostic tool.

Jeffrey Giullian, MD, MBA, FASN, most recently the chief medical officer of DaVita Hospital Services, has been named the new chief medical officer for DaVita Kidney Care. He is set to begin the position on Jan. 1, 2020.

Results from an online survey indicated many Americans are not aware of the association between kidney disease and diabetes. The survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, was commissioned by the National Kidney Foundation.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Preliminary results from a pilot study presented here showed that educating patients with advanced chronic kidney disease about the upcoming signs of kidney failure can slow its progression and help reduce the risk of “crash” dialysis.