Dive Into Nephrology Topics at Kidney Week Early Programs

The American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2024 kicks off Wednesday, October 23, with early programs that address a specific topic in nephrology and offer the chance to earn continuing education credits.

Early programs require separate registration from the annual meeting. For full details, visit the Kidney Week website.

The following are descriptions of the topics being presented this year.

Acid-Base, Fluid, and Electrolyte Balance Disorders 2024: Challenging Issues for Clinicians

This program provides an up-to-date review of the diagnosis and management of acid-base, fluid, and electrolyte balance disorders. An emphasis is placed on challenging issues commonly faced by nephrology clinicians. Lectures cover the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and treatment of acid-base, fluid, and electrolyte balance disorders and present relevant clinical scenarios. The format encourages active interaction between participants and faculty.

Advances in Research Conference: Genome Engineering and RNA-Based Therapeutics: From Bench to Potentially Curative Medicines

This program showcases cutting-edge advances in gene therapy, genome and epigenome editing, and RNA-based therapeutics. Lectures highlight recent technological advances, the current toolbox available to clinicians, and major clinical breakthroughs, with an eye toward potential application to the treatment of kidney diseases.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Practical Updates in Kidney Stone Prevention and Management

Nephrolithiasis is highly prevalent in the United States, affecting one in 11 individuals. Kidney stone rates in the US population are increasing in adults and children, as well as across demographic groups, with National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data reflecting a 70% increase in disease prevalence over the last 20 years. As our understanding of the pathogenesis and optimal management of kidney stone disease evolves, nephrology professionals must maintain expertise in the evaluation and treatment of a variety of stone formers. This program presents recent clinical advances and provides opportunities to practice clinical diagnosis and decision-making for both common and rare kidney stone conditions.

Critical Care Nephrology: 2024 Update

This program presents state-of-the-art knowledge in critical care nephrology, focusing on the latest advancements in renal replacement therapies (RRT), management of AKI, and use of extracorporeal devices in critical care. Program goals include enhancing interdisciplinary care strategies and improving patient outcomes in the critical care setting. Lectures cover topics such as volume status and fluid optimization, management of dysnatremia, management of sepsis-related kidney injury, management of AKI in various clinical settings, and ethics in the critical care unit. Discussions include management of critically ill patients with AKI in specific populations, such as pregnant patients and those with cardiac failure, liver disease, or cancer. Short- and long-term outcomes of AKI, management of AKI and persistent dialysis needs, and key considerations in the prescription of RRT are reviewed.

Glomerular Diseases: 2024 Update

Glomerular medicine is exploding with the exciting new understanding of disease pathogenesis, which has led to developments in novel genetic and serological diagnostic tools, clinical trials, and potential treatments. This program explores novel changes in IgA nephropathy/Henoch-Schonlein purpura, lupus nephritis, podocytopathies (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis/minimal change disease), membranous glomerulonephritis, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome/C3 glomerulopathy, diabetic kidney disease, glomerular disease as “CKD,” and monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance.

Hot topics are reviewed, including how and when to use genetics in the diagnosis and treatment of glomerular diseases, chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, balancing cost and efficacy of new medications for glomerular diseases, and precision medicine and clinical trials. Experts present cutting-edge clinical applications in treatment, pathology, and genetics that continue to change the diagnostic and therapeutic landscape in glomerular diseases.

Onconephrology: Cancer, Its Treatments, and the Kidneys

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Patients with cancer who have kidney-related issues have a worse prognosis and higher morbidity and mortality. Onconephrology is a field dedicated to understanding and treating the complex kidney problems that can arise in patients with cancer. This program focuses on how cancer and its treatments affect the kidneys. Lectures and case-based discussions enable participants to refine their knowledge of AKI, hypertension, and electrolyte abnormalities resulting from novel and longstanding cancer treatments; consider the impact of kidney diseases in special populations with cancer (eg, in patients with ESKD and kidney transplantation); and learn about hematologic conditions and their effects on the kidneys.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Nephrology

Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is intended to answer focused clinical questions at the bedside and guide patient management. In nephrology practice, multiorgan POCUS is an invaluable tool in the evaluation of AKI and complex fluid/electrolyte disorders. This day-long program introduces participants to key sonographic applications pertinent to nephrology and offers hands-on experience, fostering confidence in performing scans within their respective institutions. Mentored hands-on practice is the best way to learn both the psychomotor and the cognitive pattern-recognition aspects of ultrasonography. The curriculum is divided approximately equally between didactic sessions and hands-on experiences.