{"title":"A guide for program development of environmentally sustainable kidney care.","authors":"Winston Wing-Shing Fung, Caroline E Stigant","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001126","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001126","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>As the health impacts of climate change intensify, health systems globally are transitioning to net zero greenhouse gas emissions and climate resiliency. Kidney care has high environmental impact, and both a coordinated sectoral approach as well as provider-level quality care improvements are needed. Updated, evidence-based strategies for operationalizing environmentally sustainable kidney care are provided.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>As Earth warms, rising temperatures are adversely impacting kidney health, and both the prevalence and severity of kidney diseases are projected to worsen. Kidney care providers seek ways to implement planetary healthcare, and a framework of improved education, ongoing research activities, enhanced sustainability performance metrics reporting and accountability is described. Optimized disease prevention through nonpharmacologic as well as pharmacologic strategies, ensuring appropriateness of care [some examples include stewardship of laboratory testing and dialysis prescriptions, increased transplantation (preferably live donor) for those living with kidney failure], and lower impact care through technological improvements and better waste management are described.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Environmentally sustainable kidney care is high-quality care that is implementation-ready in diverse settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"202-211"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145344073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pros and cons of lower blood pressure targets in chronic kidney disease.","authors":"Mario Funes Hernandez, Tara I Chang","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001153","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001153","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Optimal blood pressure control is essential for managing chronic kidney disease (CKD), as it can reduce cardiovascular risk and mortality. However, recent updates in major international guidelines present differing recommendations for blood pressure targets in CKD, contributing to clinical uncertainty. This review summarizes studies to clarify the benefits and risks associated with lower blood pressure targets in patients with CKD.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent randomized trials and meta-analyses show that targeting lower systolic blood pressure (<120 mmHg) reduces cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in nondialysis CKD, with benefits similar to those in the general population. Importantly, these trials used standardized blood pressure measurements that typically yield lower readings than routine office measurements. Lower blood pressure targets may increase the risk of incident CKD and acute kidney disease (AKI). Benefits for slowing CKD progression are mostly seen in patients with significant proteinuria. Patients with advanced CKD and heavier proteinuria remain underrepresented in the trials.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Lower blood pressure targets, measured via standardized techniques, confer important cardiovascular benefits in CKD. However, kidney outcomes and safety concerns require individualized blood pressure target selection, especially in frail or other high-risk subgroups that were often excluded from trials. Clinical practice should continue to balance the benefits of lower blood pressure goals with risks of acute kidney injury and other adverse events.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"150-155"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145849083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Tackling the epidemic of obesity and hypertension in children and young people.","authors":"Emily Haseler, Manish D Sinha","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001156","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001156","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The prevalence of both obesity and hypertension is increasing in childhood, with considerable overlap in disease and causative factors. Evidence from studies over the past decade suggests both obesity and hypertension have summative effects on both cardiac remodelling in childhood and major adverse cardiovascular events in adulthood.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>We highlight recent high-quality evidence reporting epidemiology of obesity, hypertension and hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) in those with obesity-related hypertension. We discuss the early life influences on BP and BMI trajectory and the clustering of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) seen in obesity hypertension. We discuss management options highlighting key contributors to compounding risk for obesity-associated hypertension across the first two decades of life, with potential windows for both individual and population-level intervention.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Currently, a large and expanding cohort of young people with multiple CVRFs is progressing toward adulthood, where they are likely to experience disproportionate cardiovascular morbidity when compared with age-matched healthy peers. These trends underscore the urgent need for co-ordinated healthcare responses to manage affected children and for robust governmental and public-health interventions to mitigate the environmental and societal drivers of this convergent epidemic.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"156-163"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12863615/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145905927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paul K Whelton, Samantha O'Connell, Katherine Mills
{"title":"Evolution in the targets for blood pressure treatment.","authors":"Paul K Whelton, Samantha O'Connell, Katherine Mills","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001152","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001152","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review focuses on new nonpharmacological and drug therapies for lowering blood pressure, hypertension treatment goals, and strategies to improve hypertension control.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Clinical trials have demonstrated salt substitutes to be effective for blood pressure lowering and cardiovascular disease prevention. Cohort studies have identified a continuous association between alcohol intake and blood pressure, indicating no safe level of alcohol consumption. Clinical trials have demonstrated significant blood pressure reduction with isometric resistance exercise and have confirmed the benefits of \"weekend warrior\" exercise. The 2025 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Blood Pressure Guideline recommends stress reduction but with less enthusiasm than for other nonpharmacological recommendations.Clinical trials support use of single pill combinations, team-based management, multilevel strategies, health coaching, electronic decision-support systems, home blood pressure monitoring, provider training, and audit and feedback strategies for improved control of hypertension. Clinical trials have also documented the benefit of systolic blood pressure targets <130 and <120 mmHg for prevention of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Although recent reports have further enhanced knowledge for blood pressure lowering, hypertension remains poorly controlled, worldwide. There is an imperative to improve prevention, detection, treatment, and control of high blood pressure.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"141-149"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13174583/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145849117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cuffless blood pressure in 2025: from promise to practice: a narrative review.","authors":"Farah Wehbe, Swapnil Hiremath","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001150","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001150","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Cuffless blood pressure (BP) technologies have moved from concept to everyday wearables, spurred by consumer adoption and recent regulatory milestones. Yet clinicians face mixed signals on accuracy, calibration stability, and clinical use. This review synthesizes current evidence and emerging standards to clarify where cuffless data can add value.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Most devices estimate BP from surrogate signals and require periodic calibration, making outputs reliable for trends around the last calibration but less so for absolute values. New cuffless-specific validation frameworks mandate dynamic testing (position/hydrostatics, activity/exercise, awake-sleep, pharmacologic response, and prerecalibration drift). Professional bodies currently advise against diagnosis or drug titration using cuffless readings unless a device passes such protocols. Real-world studies show feasibility and patient preference but only moderate agreement with cuffs and limited outcomes data. Special populations (chronic kidney disease/dialysis, pregnancy, pediatrics/frail, diverse skin tones) introduce additional accuracy and equity concerns.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Cuffless wearables may be used as adjuncts to surface patterns and support engagement; diagnosis and treatment decisions must be confirmed with validated upper-arm measurements. A pragmatic \"good-enough\" checklist includes stable calibration over weeks, accuracy across dynamic states and subgroups, and transparent multisite validation. Priorities include harmonized standards, inclusive datasets, and trials linking cuffless monitoring to clinical outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"164-173"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145849040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Medullary sponge kidney and chronic pain: is there a role for renal denervation.","authors":"Fatima Ayotunde, David S Goldfarb","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001148","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001148","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Medullary sponge kidney (MSK) is a congenital disorder of the distal nephron, characterized by cystic dilatation of the papillary and medullary tubules. It commonly presents with recurrent calcium nephrolithiasis and often, severe, life-altering chronic pain syndromes, often independent of urinary obstruction and of uncertain etiology. Management focuses on stone prevention and symptomatic care, but these measures are frequently inadequate. No studies of management of this pain syndrome in these patients have been performed. There are essentially no studies evaluating renal denervation in MSK specifically, although the technique has been utilized with some benefit in other disorders, underscoring a major therapeutic gap. In this review, we describe patients with MSK and chronic pain syndrome and review the role of renal denervation as a potential therapy.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Renal denervation may represent a promising strategy for chronic kidney pain syndrome. It could provide pain relief and improve quality of life in affected patients.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The optimal management strategy for chronic pain in MSK has not been elucidated. Renal denervation has recently been utilized and approved for the management of blood pressure. It could be useful for managing chronic kidney pain in this condition as well.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"243-247"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145849097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nayanatara Nadeesha Tantirige, Joanna M Gray, Ian B Wilkinson
{"title":"Hypertension guidelines need to be patient oriented.","authors":"Nayanatara Nadeesha Tantirige, Joanna M Gray, Ian B Wilkinson","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001154","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001154","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>There is growing evidence that personalisation of hypertension treatment leads to better blood pressure control. This review will explore current evidence for individualised treatment of hypertension, and application of this in future guidelines.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent studies demonstrate considerable inter-individual variability in responses to specific antihypertensives. Factors such as ethnicity, sex, age, BMI and genetics contribute to differences in blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. There is emerging ethnicity data that may help to support targeted pharmacotherapy. Advances in genetics, particularly through large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS), have given us insight into individual genetic determinants of blood pressure. The development of polygenic risk scores (PRS) also show promise for future precision-guided treatment. This review will examine both intra-individual and inter-individual variability in blood pressure control and treatment response using evidence to date.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Personalised hypertension care is an evolving field. Our review highlights the importance of refining clinical guidelines to better account for individual differences in blood pressure and treatment response.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"188-194"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145905829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Updates in tolerance: future directions to improve kidney allograft survival.","authors":"Opas Traitanon, Ekamol Tantisattamo, Suthiya Anumas, Pajaree Krisanapan, Thanee Eiamsitrakoon, Adis Tasanarong, Wiwat Chancharoenthana","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001142","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001142","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Long-term kidney allograft survival remains limited by chronic rejection and the toxicities of lifelong immunosuppression. Donor-specific tolerance, the acceptance of the graft without continuous pharmacological therapy, has long been considered the ultimate goal of transplantation. This review summarizes recent clinical advances in tolerance-inducing strategies and outlines future directions for clinical translation.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Clinical progress has accelerated in the past decade. Mixed hematopoietic chimerism protocols have matured from single-center feasibility studies to a recent phase 3 randomized trial in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical recipients, achieving sustained immunosuppression-free survival with improved safety outcomes regulatory T cell therapies, tested across multiple early-phase trials, have consistently demonstrated safety, biological activity, and scalability in multicenter settings, with new approaches entering clinical development.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Tolerance in kidney transplantation is transitioning from conceptual aspiration to clinical feasibility. Landmark chimerism trials confirm that operational tolerance is possible in selected populations. Future priorities include refining conditioning regimens to reduce toxicity and extending eligibility to higher-risk recipients. Together, these developments suggest that tolerance-based strategies may ultimately transform kidney transplantation from chronic immunosuppression to durable immune re-education.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"262-269"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145958954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fahad Saeed, Paul R Duberstein, Douglas B White, Kathleen D Liu, Ronald M Epstein, Kevin A Fiscella
{"title":"Time-limited trials for acute dialysis decision-making for critically ill older patients: rationale, communication strategies, and future research.","authors":"Fahad Saeed, Paul R Duberstein, Douglas B White, Kathleen D Liu, Ronald M Epstein, Kevin A Fiscella","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001155","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001155","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Provide an overview of the rationale for implementing time-limited dialysis trials (TLT-Ds) in critically ill older adults with acute kidney injury treated with dialysis, the communication strategies required for proper implementation, and future research directions.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>AKI-D is linked to high mortality, reduced renal recovery, and a substantial chance of discharge to nursing homes in older adults. Many older people value independence and quality of life over longevity. Yet acute dialysis often remains the reflexive treatment option, while patients and families face prognostic uncertainty in the face of mortality. A TLT-D is an ethically sound, person-centered approach that aligns with many patients' preferences. Its benefits include providing a structured opportunity for clinicians, families, and patients to assess the biomedical efficacy of dialysis while allowing time for deliberation, prognostic clarity, and emotional processing. This can inform whether to continue acute dialysis or transition to comfort care or chronic dialysis within prespecified or evolving goals.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Acute dialysis decision-making for critically ill older adults needs improvement. Reflexive initiation followed by automatic transition to chronic dialysis may not align with many patients' goals. TLT-Ds can promote goal-concordant care. Further research is needed to guide their implementation and evaluate person-centered outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"195-201"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13130212/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145905946","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Methotrexate nephrotoxicity: a pragmatic approach.","authors":"Yara Mouawad, Jaya Kala","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001144","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001144","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>High-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) is an integral component of treatment for multiple malignancies. However, preventive strategies often fail, resulting in renal impairment and delayed methotrexate elimination (DME), which increases the risk of systemic toxicity. This review aims to summarize past, current, and emerging strategies for the management of HDMTX-related toxicity.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent research has identified host genetic factors, hypoalbuminemia, and larger body surface area as contributors to DME. Animal studies have explored potential nephroprotective agents, including synthetic 1,3,4-oxadiazole (5b) and repurposed drugs such as empagliflozin and amlodipine. The preferred mitigation agent, glucarpidase, continues to demonstrate improved clinical and financial outcomes, with higher odds of renal recovery even at lower doses. Early therapeutic drug monitoring has shown promise as a biomarker for predicting acute kidney injury. In addition, the web-based clinical tool MTXPK.org now integrates population pharmacokinetic models with patient-specific data to guide interpretation and management of DME.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Identification of emerging risk factors, advances in pharmacogenomics, and timely methotrexate monitoring, combined with patient-specific pharmacokinetic modeling, underscore the importance of personalized therapeutic strategies to reduce renal toxicity and DME.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"212-217"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145699887","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}