2 Free Kidney iBooks Available (yes FREE)

Paul G. Schmitz (Saint Louis University TPD) recently published 2 new textbooks useful for students, residents, and fellows interested in kidney disorders. These are both FREE downloads from the iBooks store. These are both self-published and interactive (Macs, iPhones, or iPads for now). Content updates will also be free and will be performed by student, resident, and fellows.

Check them both out and provide Dr. Schmitz some feedback. They look fantastic.

• Clinical Implications of Renal Physiology 
• Pathophysiology of Renal Disease

Young adults and kidney donation - To do or not do.

A short article was recently written on Washington Post by a medical student who donated a kidney at age 18 to his brother's stepfather and now regrets it. Worth a reading (link here).

 He questioned the informed consent and the poor quality data we have for long-term outcomes after donation, including the fact that we don't have a donor registry that captures all donors in the USA.

 Age of donation is an important factor to consider when assessing the potential long-term risk of kidney donation. Younger kidney donors have a greater chance of suffering a second-hit leading to kidney injury through their lifespan, in particular with life expectancies surpassing 80 years in many countries. Therefore, it is generally recommended to be more stringent in the selection of younger donors. But how should we as a Society respond to this? How individual centers approach younger donors below 30yo? Would love to hear our community thoughts on this.

 Figure from Kidney Transplant iBook (adapted from Mjoen et al. Kidney Int 2014)

Video CPC - Renal Pathology Episode #011

Try your diagnostic and biopsy reading skills as we work through an unknown case that demonstrates some very interesting renal pathology. Dr. Gaut, section head of nephropathology at Washington University in St. Louis and Dr. Younus, a 2nd year renal fellow, will read a complicated biopsy together. The diagnosis is purposefully not revealed here because the case is a real zebra!  Check out the video below.