KDIGO Conversations in Nephrology – Details, episodes & analysis

This second episode in KDIGO’s four-part IgAN series addresses the treatment revolution in IgAN. Join Dana Rizk, MD (University of Alabama at Birmingham, US), and Shikha Wadhwani, MD (University of Texas Medical Branch, US) in understanding how disease pathophysiology is fueling a wave of new therapies that go beyond traditional supportive care.

Key topics include what's changed since the KDIGO 2021 Guideline, the four-hit hypothesis and its role in driving novel therapies, key factors to consider when selecting treatments, and the evolving role of traditional approaches alongside newer agents.

The first episode in this series (Episode #24) features KDIGO IgAN Guideline Co-Chair, Brad Rovin, MD (University of Ohio Medicine, US). Future episodes (Episode #29 and Episode #30) feature Shikha Wadwani, MD (Cedars Sinai, US), Andrew Lazar, MD (University Hospitals of Cleveland, US), Gaia Coppock, MD (University of Pennsylvania Medicine, US), and Suneel Udani, MD (Nephrology Associates of Northern Illinois and Indiana, US), and cover lessons from IgAN Case Files, and challenges and strategies to implementing KDIGO IgAN Guideline recommendations.

This podcast was supported by Travere.

This is the first episode in KDIGO's four-part series on the KDIGO 2025 IgAN/IgAV Guideline. Join Dana Rizk, MD (University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States), and Brad Rovin, MD (Ohio State University, United States), Co-Chair of the 2025 KDIGO IgAN Guideline, for a deep dive into the latest updates in patient care. Their conversation explores the key takeaways from the new guideline, the critical role of kidney biopsies in diagnosis and prognosis, the use of the IgAN prediction tool for risk assessment, and the updated thresholds and treatment goals aimed at improving outcomes.

Future episodes (Episode #25, Episode #29, and Episode #30) feature Shikha Wadwani, MD (Cedars Sinai, US), Andrew Lazar, MD (University Hospitals of Cleveland, US), Gaia Coppock, MD (University of Pennsylvania Medicine, US), and Suneel Udani, MD (Nephrology Associates of Northern Illinois and Indiana, US), and cover the treatment revolution in IgAN, lessons from IgAN Case Files, and challenges and strategies to implementing KDIGO IgAN Guideline recommendations.

This podcast was supported by Travere.

Join host Dr. Peter Lin (Canadian Heart Research Centre, Canada) in conversation with Dr. Joel Topf (Oakland University, William Beaumont School of Medicine, USA) as they discuss how to combat CKD progression and the role of non-pharmacological vs pharmacological interventions. This episode will explore whether foundational therapies are underused and how to tailor the right treatment for the right patient at the right time. This episode is supported by an independent educational grant from AstraZeneca.

In this episode, Dr. Peter Lin (Canadian Heart Research Centre, Canada) and Dr. Magdalena Madero (National Heart Institute Mexico City, Mexico) discuss best practices for CKD evaluation and measurement. This episode focuses on the importance of assessing GFR and albuminuria, identifying the causes of CKD, CKD progression, and when more accurate GFR measures (such as cystatin) should be conducted. This episode is supported by an independent educational grant from AstraZeneca.

Join host, Dr. Peter Lin (Canadian Heart Research Centre, Canada) and Dr. Lekha Tummalapalli (Weill Cornell Medicine, United States) as they discuss the importance of early CKD detection. This episode explores risk factors, screening for CKD, and country specific factors to take into account when screening for CKD. This episode is supported by an independent educational grant from AstraZeneca.

Show Notes:

https://kdigo.org/conferences/early-identification/

 

https://www.theisn.org/blog/2023/05/22/new-quick-guide-to-early-ckd-identification-and-intervention-for-primary-care-settings-available-in-50-languages-by-year-end/

 

https://www.theisn.org/initiatives/ckd-early-screening-intervention/

In this episode, host Dr. Vladimir Tesar (General University Hospital, Prague) and Dr. Micheal Walsh (McMaster University, Canada) explore the benefits of plasma exchange for patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis. This episode discusses how to identify patients who may benefit from plasma exchange and the role of plasma exchange in patients with double-positive ANCA and anti-GBM. The utility of rituximab in those also treated with plasma exchange will be addressed. This episode is supported by Amgen.

In this episode, host Dr. Vladimir Tesar (General University Hospital, Prague) and Dr. David Jayne (Addenbrooke's Hospital, United Kingdom) discuss the roles of various agents in the induction and maintenance treatment of ANCA- associated vasculitis. They will explore the use of rituximab and complement inhibition in treating ANCA-associated vasculitis. This episode will address the gaps in knowledge and ongoing research in the field of ANCA-associated vasculitis. This episode is supported by Amgen.

Join host, Dr. Vladimir Tesar (General University Hospital, Prague), in conversation with Dr. Duvuru Geetha (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, United States) as they discuss the main causes of delays in diagnosis of ANCA-associated vasculitis and the different ways to increase awareness of the disease. This episode will also discuss the role of kidney biopsy in the optimal management and monitoring of these patients. This episode is supported by Amgen.

Join host, Dr. Marlies Ostermann (Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, United Kingdom), in conversation with Dr. Sandra Kane-Gill (University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, United States) as they discuss the importance of drug stewardship when treating critically ill patients. This episode will examine various terms such as drug-induced acute kidney injury, drug-associated acute kidney injury, and nephrotoxicity. Dr. Kane-Gill will also discuss how multiorgan support may influence drug dosing and aspects of nutrition and micronutrient supplementation for patients with AKI. This episode is supported by an independent educational grant from Baxter.

In this episode, KDIGO Conversations in Nephrology host, Dr. Marlies Ostermann (Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, United Kingdom), and Dr. Rinaldo Bellomo (University of Melbourne, Australia) will discuss the importance of hemodynamic stabilization in protecting kidney function for patients on kidney replacement therapy. This episode will also discuss the different strategies and therapies available for maintaining such stability. Urgent questions for future research will also be addressed. This episode is supported by an independent educational grant from Baxter.