Advanced Evidence-Based Reviews for Nephrology & Cardiorenal Medicine
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.
A comprehensive framework for escalating diuretic therapy. Nephron segmental architecture, ADVOR trial data, multi-agent combination matrices, and practical escalation pathways.
Comprehensive review • 12,500+ words
Systematic hemodynamic interpretation framework. Normal values, derived parameters, Forrester classification, pulmonary hypertension phenotyping, and the nephrologist's perspective on RHC.
3-page module • 35,000+ words
Advanced hemodynamic differentiation via RHC. Debunks the "pressure equalization" misconception, respirophasic ventricular interdependence, and integrated case interpretation.
Comprehensive review • 8,000+ words
Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy: the underdiagnosis epidemic. Diagnostic algorithms, PYP scintigraphy, EF-CO dissociation, and emerging therapies including tafamidis.
Comprehensive review • 13,000+ words
ICI nephrotoxicity comprehensive review, ICI-ATIN diagnosis and pathology, glomerular disease spectrum, management algorithms, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).
3-page module • 25,000+ words
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-page learning pathway
ATTRwt prevalence in HFpEF (10–15%), PYP scintigraphy and Gillmore algorithm, EF-CO dissociation, tafamidis/acoramidis/gene silencers, and the 13-month diagnostic delay.
Comprehensive review
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.
Comprehensive review
Lambda germline variants targeting myocardium, proteinuria phenotyping, cardiac vs hepatic ascites (SAAG framework), FLC interpretation in CKD, and diagnostic delay mechanisms.
Comprehensive review
Complete acid-base mastery: from systematic ABG interpretation to complex mixed disorders, renal tubular acidosis, and critical care applications.
Full module with student guide
Comprehensive comparison of RTA types with pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria, urine anion gap interpretation, and management strategies.
Comprehensive review • 8,000+ words
Evidence-based review of SGLT2i-associated euglycemic ketoacidosis. Epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, and perioperative management.
Literature review • 7,000+ words
When to use arterial vs. venous blood gas. Evidence-based comparison of pH, PCO₂, and lactate accuracy across modalities with practical decision matrices.
Evidence review • 4,200+ words
Diagnostic complexity when autoimmune and infectious etiologies overlap. ANA interpretation, complement consumption, blood culture timing, and molecular mimicry.
Teaching case • 30 references
Cardiac amyloidosis presenting with decompensated HF and nephrotic-range proteinuria. RHC interpretation, FLC in CKD, EF-CO dissociation, and Mayo staging.
Teaching case • 7,400+ words
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.
Case manuscript • 5,000+ words
Kidney disease at the liver-renal interface: HRS, ammonia dialysis, and hepatopulmonary syndrome from the nephrologist's perspective.
3-page module
Updated HRS-AKI classification, terlipressin therapy, dialysis outcomes (60% one-year mortality), intradialytic hypotension in portal hypertension.
Comprehensive review • 2021–2024 literature
Clearance rates, threshold levels, modality selection (IHD vs CRRT vs hybrid vs albumin dialysis), and timing of initiation.
Evidence review
CE-TTE diagnosis, severity classification, orthodeoxia/platypnea, SLKT evaluation, and dialysis management in HPS.
Nephrology-focused review
7 comprehensive reviews covering IgAN, MCD, MPGN, anti-GBM, cryoglobulinemic GN, post-infectious GN, and lupus nephritis.
7-page module
Four-hit pathogenesis, TARPEYO/sparsentan/iptacopan, APRIL inhibitors, risk stratification, case-based learning with self-assessment.
Educational guide with cases
ISN/RPS classification, obinutuzumab vs belimumab by proteinuria threshold, serologically quiet disease, activity/chronicity indices. 47 references.
Comprehensive review • Most extensive in module
Linear IgG, pulmonary-renal syndrome, urgent triple therapy, prognosis by creatinine at diagnosis, RPGN classification.
Comprehensive review
KDIGO staging and evaluation, ATN, drug-induced AKI, obstructive nephropathy, KRT timing, and the AIN reviews.
14-page module
Every cause of acute interstitial nephritis — drugs by class with characteristic latency, infection, autoimmune, malignancy, genetic — then treatment sorted by etiology. Claims tagged EVIDENCE-BASED or PRACTICE-BASED.
Comprehensive review
CKD-MBD pathophysiology, protein restriction evidence review, and GFR estimation beyond creatinine.
3-page module
FGF-23/Klotho cascade, renal osteodystrophy types, KDIGO targets, phosphate binder comparison, calcimimetics, and parathyroidectomy indications.
Comprehensive review
MDRD trial failure analysis, Cochrane 2020 synthesis, JAMA 2024 mortality data, and how modern pharmacotherapy transforms the calculus.
Critical appraisal
CKD-EPI 2021, cystatin C physiology, eGFRcys/eGFRcr ratio interpretation, shrunken pore syndrome, and special populations.
Evidence review
Comprehensive diuretic escalation framework. Nephron segmental targets, ADVOR trial data, multi-agent combination matrices, and practical step-up algorithms for decongestive therapy.
Comprehensive review • 12,500+ words
GLP-1 receptor agonists, HFpEF as renal disease, and 2025 diagnostic criteria with HFA-PEFF and H2FPEF scoring.
3-page module
FLOW trial, CVOT results with NNTs, NHE3 mechanism, anti-inflammatory pathways, protein targets, and SGLT2i combination data.
Comprehensive guide
Paulus-Tschope paradigm, galectin-3, CKM syndrome staging, EMPEROR-Preserved/DELIVER, FINEARTS-HF, and finerenone evidence.
Contemporary review
HFA-PEFF algorithm with scoring, H2FPEF score, diastolic vs HFpEF comparison, and cardiorenal syndrome mechanisms.
Criteria review
Thirteen physician-level reviews across sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and acid-base — the largest module in the series.
13-page module
Tonicity-first evaluation, volume-status assessment, and the treatment decisions that follow from it.
Comprehensive review
Correction rate limits, osmotic demyelination risk, and relowering when you overshoot.
Clinical review
Cerebral salt wasting versus SIADH when the wrong call worsens cerebral edema.
Focused review
Free-water deficit calculation, ongoing losses, and safe correction in the patient who cannot access water.
Clinical review
Membrane stabilization, intracellular shift, and true removal — plus the newer binders and what they do not do.
Treatment review
Arrhythmia risk stratification and why the magnesium has to be replaced first.
Clinical review
Why refractory hypokalemia and hypocalcemia will not correct until magnesium does.
Clinical review
PTH-mediated versus non-PTH-mediated, granulomatous and malignancy-associated causes, and treatment sequencing.
Comprehensive review
Integrated calcium-phosphate physiology and the disorders that follow when the axis breaks.
Comprehensive review
Anion gap, delta-delta, osmolar gap, and the toxic alcohols — evaluation through management.
Comprehensive review
Generation versus maintenance, and urine chloride as the branch point that decides treatment.
Comprehensive review
Etiologies, diagnosis, and management across all four types, with the urine anion gap.
Comprehensive review
Extrarenal sodium loss that mimics renal salt wasting, and how the urine studies separate them.
Clinical review
Monoclonal proteins and the kidney — AL amyloidosis, myeloma, and the cardiac overlap.
3-page module
Free light chains, organ involvement, and where the two diagnoses separate and overlap.
Comprehensive review
Diagnostic challenges in AL (lambda) cardiac amyloidosis, and the delay that costs patients.
Comprehensive review
Cardiac and renal involvement worked through as a teaching case.
Case review
Why edema forms, why diuretics stop working, and which drugs cause swelling that gets mistaken for heart failure.
Module index
Starling forces, the underfill versus overfill debate, and how the distinction changes diuretic strategy at the bedside.
Comprehensive review
Amlodipine, gabapentinoids, thiazolidinediones, NSAIDs, and steroids — drug-induced swelling that is routinely misread as worsening heart failure.
Clinical review
2025 AHA guideline analysis and comprehensive hypertension management with evidence-based pharmacotherapy.
3-page module
PREVENT calculator, retired "hypertensive urgency," primary aldosteronism universal screening, renal denervation, pregnancy management (CHAP trial), cerebrovascular protocols.
Guideline analysis
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.
Comprehensive review
Incidence and nosology of "hypertensive nephrosclerosis," the APOL1 reassignment, the Bidani–Griffin autoregulation paradox, arteriolar remodeling reversibility, and onion-skinning versus the TMA differential.
Critical appraisal
Kidney-stone education organized by depth: physician-level evidence review, student summary, and related imaging, RTA, and obstruction content from across the site.
Topic hub
24-hour urine and supersaturation interpretation, stone-type–directed therapy, and a critical appraisal of the prevention evidence: the NOSTONE and PUSH null trials, the stone-clinic effect, and allopurinol/magnesium/citrate disaggregated.
Critical appraisal
UTI diagnostic validity, the confusion-UTI myth, and the urobiome revolution.
1-page module
IDSA 2019 strong recommendation vs confusion-UTI myth, EQUC detecting 67% more uropathogens, urine sterility paradigm shift, clean-catch limitations, and ASB overtreatment.
Comprehensive review • 15 references
KRT timing, high-volume hemodiafiltration, and new home-dialysis prescription resources.
Advanced dialysis learning pathway
Prescription design, flow fraction, dialysate volume and bath selection, monitoring, vascular access, evidence appraisal, and a worked starting prescription.
Clinical white paper • 32 min read
Public HHD and PD calculators, manufacturer handbooks, guideline links, and a safe workflow for using prescription-support resources.
Curated reference • 6 min read
IDEAL trial, symptom-driven vs GFR-based initiation, PD vs HD comparison, vascular access, and Kt/V adequacy.
Evidence synthesis
5 RCTs with 37–49% mortality reductions, IPD meta-analysis, implementation protocol, and US FDA status.
Comprehensive analysis
Comprehensive immunosuppression review: induction, maintenance, drug interactions, and post-transplant complications.
1-page module
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.
Comprehensive review
Aging renal physiology, conservative CKD management, dialysis decisions, and palliative nephrology.
1-page module
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.
Comprehensive review • 8 references
Physiologic changes, preeclampsia, TMA in pregnancy, AKI, CKD management, and medication safety.
1-page module
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.
Comprehensive review • 8 references
Andrew Bland, MD, FACP, FAAP
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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