Clinical Mastery Series

Advanced Evidence-Based Reviews for Nephrology & Cardiorenal Medicine

Andrew Bland, MD, MBA, MS Urine Nephrology Now
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The Clinical Mastery Series goes beyond foundational lectures to provide comprehensive, evidence-based clinical reviews for practicing clinicians, fellows, residents, and advanced learners. Each module integrates landmark trial data, pathophysiologic mechanisms, and practical clinical decision-making frameworks.

Advanced Clinical Reviews

Sequential Nephron Blockade

A comprehensive framework for escalating diuretic therapy. Nephron segmental architecture, ADVOR trial data, multi-agent combination matrices, and practical escalation pathways.

Diuretics Heart Failure Edema

Comprehensive review • 12,500+ words

Right Heart Catheterization

Systematic hemodynamic interpretation framework. Normal values, derived parameters, Forrester classification, pulmonary hypertension phenotyping, and the nephrologist's perspective on RHC.

Hemodynamics Cardiorenal Pulmonary HTN

3-page module • 35,000+ words

Restrictive vs. Constrictive Physiology

Advanced hemodynamic differentiation via RHC. Debunks the "pressure equalization" misconception, respirophasic ventricular interdependence, and integrated case interpretation.

RHC Amyloidosis Pericardial Disease

Comprehensive review • 8,000+ words

Cardiac Amyloidosis (ATTR-CM)

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy: the underdiagnosis epidemic. Diagnostic algorithms, PYP scintigraphy, EF-CO dissociation, and emerging therapies including tafamidis.

ATTR HFpEF Infiltrative

Comprehensive review • 13,000+ words

Onconephrology

ICI nephrotoxicity comprehensive review, ICI-ATIN diagnosis and pathology, glomerular disease spectrum, management algorithms, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).

ICI-AKI HLH 3 Reviews

3-page module • 25,000+ words

Amyloid Series

Amyloid Series Overview

A dedicated amyloidosis learning pathway synthesizing cardiac, renal, and hematologic perspectives. ATTR-CM, monoclonal protein interpretation, misleading echo findings, RHC hemodynamics, and cardiac-predominant AL.

5 Reviews Amyloidosis Pathway

5-page learning pathway

ATTR Cardiac Amyloidosis

ATTRwt prevalence in HFpEF (10–15%), PYP scintigraphy and Gillmore algorithm, EF-CO dissociation, tafamidis/acoramidis/gene silencers, and the 13-month diagnostic delay.

ATTR-CM HFpEF PYP Scan

Comprehensive review

Monoclonal Protein Interpretation

FLC reference ranges by eGFR (iStopMM), MASS-FIX panel, SPEP/immunofixation/FLC decision framework, kappa vs lambda patterns, Mayo MGUS risk stratification, and SLiM criteria.

FLC MASS-FIX MGUS

Comprehensive review

Cardiac-Predominant AL Without Nephrotic Proteinuria

Lambda germline variants targeting myocardium, proteinuria phenotyping, cardiac vs hepatic ascites (SAAG framework), FLC interpretation in CKD, and diagnostic delay mechanisms.

AL Amyloid Cardiac Lambda

Comprehensive review

Acid-Base Mastery

Acid-Base Module Overview

Complete acid-base mastery: from systematic ABG interpretation to complex mixed disorders, renal tubular acidosis, and critical care applications.

5 Pages Cases Formulas

Full module with student guide

Renal Tubular Acidosis: Types I–IV

Comprehensive comparison of RTA types with pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, urine anion gap interpretation, and management strategies.

RTA NAGMA Tubular

Comprehensive review • 8,000+ words

SGLT2 Inhibitor Euglycemic DKA

Evidence-based review of SGLT2i-associated euglycemic ketoacidosis. Epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, and perioperative management.

SGLT2i DKA Safety

Literature review • 7,000+ words

ABG vs. VBG: Clinical Decision Framework

When to use arterial vs. venous blood gas. Evidence-based comparison of pH, PCO₂, and lactate accuracy across modalities with practical decision matrices.

Blood Gas ICU Decision Aid

Evidence review • 4,200+ words

Clinical Mastery Cases

SLE vs. Infective Endocarditis

Diagnostic complexity when autoimmune and infectious etiologies overlap. ANA interpretation, complement consumption, blood culture timing, and molecular mimicry.

Diagnostic Challenge GN Immunology

Teaching case • 30 references

Heart Failure vs. Nephrotic Syndrome

Cardiac amyloidosis presenting with decompensated HF and nephrotic-range proteinuria. RHC interpretation, FLC in CKD, EF-CO dissociation, and Mayo staging.

Amyloidosis RHC Proteinuria

Teaching case • 7,400+ words

The Preserved EF Trap: RHC in Cardiogenic Shock

A 75-year-old male with EF 55% and CI 1.15 L/min/m². Cardiac pseudo-cirrhosis, lambda cardiotrophic AL, and 8 critical teaching points on diagnostic pitfalls.

Cardiogenic Shock EF Trap AL Amyloid

Case manuscript • 5,000+ words

Hepatorenal Module

Hepatorenal Module Overview

Kidney disease at the liver-renal interface: HRS, ammonia dialysis, and hepatopulmonary syndrome from the nephrologist's perspective.

3 Reviews Hepatorenal Portal HTN

3-page module

Hepatorenal Syndrome Review

Updated HRS-AKI classification, terlipressin therapy, dialysis outcomes (60% one-year mortality), intradialytic hypotension in portal hypertension.

HRS-AKI Terlipressin 14 Refs

Comprehensive review • 2021–2024 literature

Ammonia Removal by Dialysis

Clearance rates, threshold levels, modality selection (IHD vs CRRT vs hybrid vs albumin dialysis), and timing of initiation.

Hyperammonemia RRT 15 Refs

Evidence review

Hepatopulmonary Syndrome

CE-TTE diagnosis, severity classification, orthodeoxia/platypnea, SLKT evaluation, and dialysis management in HPS.

HPS SLKT 11 Refs

Nephrology-focused review

Glomerular Disease Module

Glomerular Module Overview

7 comprehensive reviews covering IgAN, MCD, MPGN, anti-GBM, cryoglobulinemic GN, post-infectious GN, and lupus nephritis.

7 Reviews Glomerular Board Review

7-page module

IgA Nephropathy

Four-hit pathogenesis, TARPEYO/sparsentan/iptacopan, APRIL inhibitors, risk stratification, case-based learning with self-assessment.

IgAN Targeted Therapy

Educational guide with cases

Lupus Nephritis

ISN/RPS classification, obinutuzumab vs belimumab by proteinuria threshold, serologically quiet disease, activity/chronicity indices. 47 references.

Lupus GN Biologics 47 Refs

Comprehensive review • Most extensive in module

Anti-GBM Disease (Goodpasture)

Linear IgG, pulmonary-renal syndrome, urgent triple therapy, prognosis by creatinine at diagnosis, RPGN classification.

RPGN Emergency

Comprehensive review

Advanced CKD Management

CKD Advanced Module Overview

CKD-MBD pathophysiology, protein restriction evidence review, and GFR estimation beyond creatinine.

3 Reviews CKD Evidence

3-page module

CKD-MBD: Mineral & Bone Disease

FGF-23/Klotho cascade, renal osteodystrophy types, KDIGO targets, phosphate binder comparison, calcimimetics, and parathyroidectomy indications.

FGF-23 PTH KDIGO

Comprehensive review

Protein Restriction in CKD: Evidence vs. Eminence

MDRD trial failure analysis, Cochrane 2020 synthesis, JAMA 2024 mortality data, and how modern pharmacotherapy transforms the calculus.

Evidence Review Nutrition Dogma Challenge

Critical appraisal

GFR Estimation: Creatinine & Cystatin C

CKD-EPI 2021, cystatin C physiology, eGFRcys/eGFRcr ratio interpretation, shrunken pore syndrome, and special populations.

eGFR Cystatin C CKD-EPI

Evidence review

Advanced Cardiorenal Medicine

Sequential Nephron Blockade

Comprehensive diuretic escalation framework. Nephron segmental targets, ADVOR trial data, multi-agent combination matrices, and practical step-up algorithms for decongestive therapy.

Diuretics Heart Failure Edema

Comprehensive review • 12,500+ words

Cardiorenal Module Overview

GLP-1 receptor agonists, HFpEF as renal disease, and 2025 diagnostic criteria with HFA-PEFF and H2FPEF scoring.

3 Reviews Cardiorenal HFpEF

3-page module

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Cardiorenal Guide

FLOW trial, CVOT results with NNTs, NHE3 mechanism, anti-inflammatory pathways, protein targets, and SGLT2i combination data.

GLP-1 RA FLOW GDMT

Comprehensive guide

HFpEF as Renal Disease

Paulus-Tschope paradigm, galectin-3, CKM syndrome staging, EMPEROR-Preserved/DELIVER, FINEARTS-HF, and finerenone evidence.

HFpEF Finerenone CKM

Contemporary review

HFpEF Diagnostic Criteria 2025

HFA-PEFF algorithm with scoring, H2FPEF score, diastolic vs HFpEF comparison, and cardiorenal syndrome mechanisms.

Diagnostics HFA-PEFF 2025 Update

Criteria review

Advanced Hypertension Management

Hypertension Advanced Module Overview

2025 AHA guideline analysis and comprehensive hypertension management with evidence-based pharmacotherapy.

2 Reviews HTN Guidelines

2-page module

2025 AHA Expanded HTN Guideline

PREVENT calculator, retired "hypertensive urgency," primary aldosteronism universal screening, renal denervation, pregnancy management (CHAP trial), cerebrovascular protocols.

AHA 2025 PREVENT Guidelines

Guideline analysis

Comprehensive HTN Management

HBPM/ABPM protocols, ACEi vs ARB selection, ACEi washout for ARNI in CKD, losartan CYP2C9 and uricosuric properties, thiazide hyponatremia risk-benefit with NNT vs NNH analysis.

ACEi vs ARB Thiazides Evidence

Comprehensive review

UTI & Urobiome Science

UTI Advanced Module Overview

UTI diagnostic validity, the confusion-UTI myth, and the urobiome revolution.

1 Review UTI Urobiome

1-page module

UTI Diagnosis with Urobiome Science

IDSA 2019 strong recommendation vs confusion-UTI myth, EQUC detecting 67% more uropathogens, urine sterility paradigm shift, clean-catch limitations, and ASB overtreatment.

EQUC IDSA 2019 Urobiome

Comprehensive review • 15 references

Advanced Dialysis & Renal Replacement Therapy

Dialysis Advanced Module Overview

KRT timing controversies and high-volume hemodiafiltration — the evidence for a new standard of care.

2 Reviews Dialysis HVHDF

2-page module

KRT Timing & Modality Selection

IDEAL trial, symptom-driven vs GFR-based initiation, PD vs HD comparison, vascular access, and Kt/V adequacy.

KRT IDEAL Timing

Evidence synthesis

High-Volume Hemodiafiltration (HVHDF)

5 RCTs with 37–49% mortality reductions, IPD meta-analysis, implementation protocol, and US FDA status.

HVHDF CONVINCE FDA 2024

Comprehensive analysis

Transplant Nephrology

Transplant Module Overview

Comprehensive immunosuppression review: induction, maintenance, drug interactions, and post-transplant complications.

1 Review Transplant Immunosuppression

1-page module

Immunosuppression in Renal Transplantation

Induction therapy (basiliximab vs ATG vs alemtuzumab), triple maintenance therapy, tacrolimus TDM targets, CYP3A4 interactions, mTOR inhibitors, belatacept, non-adherence as #1 cause of late graft loss, CNI nephrotoxicity, BK virus, CMV, PTLD, and malignancy risk.

CNI TDM Board Review

Comprehensive review

Geriatric Nephrology

Geriatric Module Overview

Aging renal physiology, conservative CKD management, dialysis decisions, and palliative nephrology.

1 Review Geriatric Palliative

1-page module

Geriatric Nephrology Comprehensive Overview

Serum creatinine paradox, age-related GFR decline, CKD epidemiology in elderly, conservative management components, dialysis indications and modality comparison, shared decision-making framework, frailty assessment, and palliative nephrology for advanced disease.

Conservative Care Frailty Decision-Making

Comprehensive review • 8 references

Pregnancy & Kidney Disease

Pregnancy Module Overview

Physiologic changes, preeclampsia, TMA in pregnancy, AKI, CKD management, and medication safety.

1 Review Pregnancy Obstetric

1-page module

Pregnancy-Related Kidney Disease

Renal hemodynamic changes (GFR +40–50%), preeclampsia pathophysiology and HELLP syndrome, TMA classification (preeclampsia vs TTP vs aHUS with ADAMTS13 distinction), pregnancy-specific AKI, CKD outcomes by stage, ACE-I/ARB contraindication, and postpartum follow-up.

Preeclampsia TMA ADAMTS13

Comprehensive review • 8 references

Andrew Bland, MD, MBA, MS
Medical Associates Department of Nephrology
University of Dubuque Physician Assistant Program | University of Illinois College of Medicine

© 2025–2026 Andrew Bland, MD. All rights reserved.
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