Run the List
CKD: General Management
Apr 28, 2025
Dr. Ryan Bonner, a nephrologist at UNC School of Medicine, shares his expertise on chronic kidney disease (CKD) management. He discusses innovative AI tools enhancing clinical efficiency and the importance of accurately assessing kidney function, including the role of cystatin C. The conversation navigates the complexities of medication management, highlighting challenges like polypharmacy and hyperkalemia. Dr. Bonner emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to care, showcasing the critical need for teamwork among healthcare providers to optimize patient outcomes.
15:46
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Assessing kidney function accurately requires using both serum creatinine and cystatin C, particularly in patients with unusual muscle mass.
- Employing the Kidney Failure Risk Equation (KFRE) enables clinicians to better tailor treatments based on individual patient risks for CKD progression.
Deep dives
Assessing Kidney Function
Kidney function is typically assessed using serum creatinine to calculate the estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR), primarily through the CKD-EPI equation. While this method is widely used, it may not accurately reflect kidney function in individuals with extreme muscle mass, as elevated creatinine levels can be misleading. In such cases, cystatin C can serve as an additional biomarker to provide a more accurate estimation of kidney function. By combining both serum creatinine and cystatin C, healthcare providers can better gauge kidney function, particularly in patients with atypical muscle compositions.
