Renal news roundup from AKF

Donor-derived cell-free (dd-cf) DNA tests are revolutionizing kidney transplant monitoring by enabling earlier detection of graft injury and potentially reducing the need for invasive biopsies. Drs. Annette Kim and Julianne Szczepanski of the University of Michigan highlight dd-c...

A study in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that a continuous quality improvement (CQI) protocol helped manage vascular access issues for patients undergoing home hemodialysis. The study found that quarterly reviews, including root cause analyses, ...

A new map of the human kidney has identified a type of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) not previously recognized, involving clusters of B cells that are linked to faster disease progression, researchers reported in the journal Nature. "By looking directly at the kidney tissue, we c...

A moderately protein-restricted diet was associated with a 35% reduced risk for dialysis initiation for patients with stages 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease, according to a study in JAMA Network Open. The findings support current guidelines that recommend limiting protein intake, ...

Renin-independent aldosterone production is linked to a rapid decrease in kidney function among adults with hypertension, according to a cohort study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study, involving 12,650 adults, found that higher aldosterone-...

The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) has recommended withdrawing approval for Tavneos, or avacopan, an oral treatment for ANCA-associated vasculitis, due to concerns over data and a lack of effectiveness. "CDER can no longer conc...

The fiscal 2026 ICD-10-CM coding and reporting guidelines have been updated with 80 new codes and two deletions. There are also clarifications related to acute kidney injury, hypothyroidism and dementia, among other issues. Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Speciali...

Evergreen Nephrology operates in 24 states, helping more than 1,000 kidney care providers succeed in value-based payment models. Chief Development and Strategy Officer Scott Lloyd says the company's approach involves close collaboration with nephrologists and integrating data fro...

A woman donated a kidney to a 6-year-old girl after hearing her need on a local radio station in Baltimore. The act was celebrated at the University of Maryland Medical Center's annual Celebration of Life Ceremony, which highlights the profound impact of organ and tissue donation...