Medscape Nephrology Headlines

Acute Phosphate Nephropathy

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Can drinking lots of water and other cautions prevent acute phosphate nephropathy after receiving oral sodium phosphate treatments?

Frequency and Severity of Adverse Effects of Iodinated and Gadolinium Contrast Materials: Retrospective Review of 456,930 Doses

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Both iodinated and gadolinium contrast agents are associated with a very low rate of adverse effects, and most adverse effects can be managed in the radiology department.

NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology Kidney Cancer

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:37:45 EST

Released in October 2009, the latest update to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology(TM) Kidney Cancer is presented.

ESRD Bundling: How Will This Affect Small Dialysis Providers -- and Patients? A Report From ASN 2009.

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:52:03 EST

Jeffrey S. Berns, MD, reports from ASN 2009 and discusses the effect of bundling all ESRD services into one prospective payment system as well as The Lancet retraction of the COOPERATE study.

Three Major Trials Presented at ASN 2009

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:50:30 EST

Jeffrey S. Berns, MD, reports from the floor of ASN Renal Week 2009 on 3 major trials, including an "outstandingly done study" on differing hemoglobin levels in patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes.

Sen Grassley Questions Top Medical Schools About Ghostwriting

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:48:39 EST

As part of his mission to see more financial transparency in medicine, Sen Grassley has asked eight top US medical schools about their policies on ghostwriting.

House Passes Medicare SGR Fix

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:11:22 EST

The House passed a bill that would rewrite the controversial sustainable growth rate formula and eliminate a 21.2% Medicare pay cut for physicians scheduled for 2010.

Declining Renal Function Linked to Worse Cardiovascular Outcomes

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:37:25 EST

In individuals with or without kidney disease at baseline, declining kidney function was linked to a higher risk for heart failure, myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial disease, and early death.

ALLHAT Investigators Report 10-Year Follow-up and Stand by Diuretics as First-Step Antihypertensive Treatment

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:28 EST

New data confirm the original conclusions: although amlodipine and lisinopril are not superior to chlorthalidone on any outcome, chlorthalidone is superior to them on 1 or more secondary endpoints.

New Senate Healthcare Reform Bill Features Public Option With Opt-Out

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:03:45 EST

The Senate bill would cost $849 billion through 2019, but it would ultimately shave $127 billion off the federal deficit while reducing the number of uninsured by 31 million people.

A Case of Indurated Skin Rash in a Transplant Patient

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:54:59 EST

A 32-year-old white woman presented to the transplant clinic with complaint of bilateral progressive erythematous rash of her thighs.

Legius Syndrome Often Mistaken for Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:20:55 EST

Legius syndrome is genetically distinct but similar to neurofibromatosis and is characterized by cafe au lait macules, axillary freckling, and macrocephaly.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Trauma Patients With ICU Lengths of Stay 30 Days and Greater: A Seven-Year Retrospective Study

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

A 7-year retrospective study evaluated the characteristics and outcomes of trauma patients with lengths of stay 30 days and longer, focusing on predictors of prolonged stay and mortality.