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Alex Chang, MD

@alexchangmd.bsky.social
1.4K followers 1.3K following 315 posts

Associate professor, clinician-scientist/dad/husband interested in early prevention/treatment of kidney disease tweets=personal views #nephsky

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Alex Chang, MD @alexchangmd.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
2026 ESC Guidelines for the management of heart failure academic.oup.com/eurheartj/ar... Important knowledge gap on hyperkalemia - No specific recommendations for the use of potassium binders are included in the guideline at current time, due to insufficient evidence for clinical benefit.
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Alex Chang, MD @alexchangmd.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
I don’t have a proper “academic” curated zoom background so seeing how the public library bookshelf background works..
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Reposted by Alex Chang, MD
Christos Argyropoulos MD, PhD, FASN 🇺🇸 0kale/acc @christosargyrop.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Didn't work bsky.app/profile/rnfl...
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haysamrady @sodatroubles.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Noninvasive optical coherence tomography biomarker for Alport syndrome, COL4-related focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and COL4 variant interpretation #nephsky #nephrology www.kidney-international.org/article/S008...
kidney-international.org
Noninvasive optical coherence tomography biomarker for Alport syndrome, COL4-related focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and COL4 variant interpretation
Alport syndrome (AS) is a hereditary glomerulopathy often associated with ocular abnormalities, yet structural retinal biomarkers remain underutilized in nephrology. Here, we evaluated the Temporal Th...
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Swapnil Hiremath 🍁🇨🇦 @hswapnil.medsky.social · 20/07/2026
a young teenager with hypertension, case studies from @nejm.org enough info in table 1 to make a diagnosis! www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
lab values showing
hypokalemia
elevated ESR/CRP
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Swapnil Hiremath 🍁🇨🇦 @hswapnil.medsky.social · 10/07/2026
Another negative early AKI RCT jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... @jaykoyner.bsky.social et al in @jamanetworkopen.com
jamanetwork.com
Early Nephrology Consult and Acute Kidney Injury in Hospitalized Patients
This randomized clinical trial assesses whether a structured early nephrology consultation triggered by a machine-learning acute kidney injury (AKI) risk score in patients at high risk for AKI improve...
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Swapnil Hiremath 🍁🇨🇦 @hswapnil.medsky.social · 03/07/2026
As ridiculous as CKD staging is, we have nothing on this thing of utter beauty www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/... We are all stage A HF! Flozinate everyone. GDMT on the drinking water. #medsky #cardiosky /s
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kireports.bsky.social @kireports.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
German Clinical Practice #Guideline on #Microhematuria in #Children and #Young #Adults: Evaluating Early Detection of Kidney Disease doi.org/10.1016/j.ekir.2026.106495 #KIRGuidelines
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Alex Chang, MD @alexchangmd.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
whoa interesting...Betel nut chewing induces 24(OH)ase expression and decreased serum calcitriol? academic.oup.com/jcem/article...
academic.oup.com
Vitamin D Metabolism in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Is Influenced by Chewing “Betel Nut” (Areca catechu) and Vitamin D Status
Abstract. Context: Vitamin D deficiency, common in South Asians, is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and ischemic heart disease. Vita
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Reposted by Alex Chang, MD
kireports.bsky.social @kireports.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Genetic #Screening of Patients With Inherited #FanconiSyndrome #VisualAbstract by Denisse Arellano www.kireports.org/article/S2468-024…
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Swapnil Hiremath 🍁🇨🇦 @hswapnil.medsky.social · 05/06/2026
Crazy happenings at the #ADA26 Cops show up, snatch papers and shove scientists out www.medpagetoday.com/special-repo...
medpagetoday.com
Video: Police Tussle With Diabetes Experts at ADA Meeting
Researchers told they could no longer attend the annual scientific sessions
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Swapnil Hiremath 🍁🇨🇦 @hswapnil.medsky.social · 03/06/2026
Huge effect of mTOR inhibition (sirolimus, everolimus?) in tuberous sclerosis academic.oup.com/ckj/article/... in @ckj-era.bsky.social Not an RCT of course - rare disease and all that! Via @dguerrot.bsky.social on LI #NephSky
academic.oup.com
Real-world management of tuberous sclerosis complex–associated renal angiomyolipomas: the impact of mTOR inhibitors
ABSTRACTBackground. Renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) drive substantial morbidity in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) through haemorrhage and repeated invasive
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Alex Chang, MD @alexchangmd.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Important to celebrate the small wins! An outstanding former Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine mentee is applying to nephrology!
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Alex Chang, MD @alexchangmd.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
History’s cool www.nytimes.com/2026/05/15/s...
nytimes.com
Archaeologists Find Egyptian Mummy Buried With the ‘Iliad’
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Alex Chang, MD @alexchangmd.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Interesting paper - Factors Associated With Discussing High Blood Pressure Readings in Clinical Notes. Naturally, nephrology, transplant, internal med are discussing the most (it's part of the job). ID, endocrine, sports medicine and GI > than cardiology? pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39661402/
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American Journal of Kidney Diseases @ajkd.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Impact of Smartphone-Enabled Home Urinary Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio Testing on Albuminuria Screening and Management bit.ly/4pMQekv (OPEN ACCESS) @alexchangmd.bsky.social
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Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
A short Bluetorial on plots of NIH application success rates as a function of percentile. 1/20
media.tenor.com
a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
ALT: a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
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Joseph Flynn, MD @jostflynnmd.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Clinical course of proteinuria due to cubilin variants: a large multicenter pediatric cohort @ped-neph.bsky.social link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
Clinical course of proteinuria due to cubilin variants: a large multicenter pediatric cohort - Pediatric Nephrology
Introduction We aimed to evaluate the clinical and genetic characteristics and clinical course of children with persistent proteinuria associated with CUBN variants. Methods Forty-eight children with ...
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Alex Chang, MD @alexchangmd.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Use of auto BP devices is rec'd by guidelines but many still measure BP manually. In this preprint, we categorize BP device based on terminal digit (manual BP results in even # terminal digits). Manual BP ~6mmHg lower and associated with 1.16x stroke risk vs automated www.medrxiv.org/content/10.6...
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medRxivpreprint @medrxivpreprint.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Underestimation of Blood Pressure and Stroke Risk by Manual Blood Pressure Measurement www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/20…
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Swapnil Hiremath 🍁🇨🇦 @hswapnil.medsky.social · 27/02/2026
Interesting POV on new therapies in glomerular diseases in NDT #Free academic.oup.com/ndt/article/... What Jon Barratt calls palliative, others call supportive, these call ‘foundational’. RASi and Flozins ✅evidence for BP is opinion I think? But cost issues are huge, as shown here.
Figure 1:The four established pillars supporting the diagnosis and management of CKD in glomerulonephritis: kidney histology, optimal blood pressure control, RAS blockade, and SGLT2 inhibition. These form the foundation of current best practice, highlighting the challenge for emerging therapies to integrate into this already optimized framework while still demonstrating additional benefit. The new treatment options for IgA nephropathy include targeting APRIL, BAFF, complement, and CD38, as well as combined AT1 and endothelin receptor inhibitors, and extended-release intestinal budesonide. Illustration created with BioRender and adapted from Li et al., 2025 [49].annual treatment costs of new therapies vary by region, with sparsentan ranging from €56 640 in Germany to $118 800 in the USA [43, 44], slow-release budesonide from €126 655 to $174,00 0 [45], and Iptacopan from €460 510 to $550 377 [45]. Anti-APRIL and anti-BAFF therapies are expected to be in the range of €100 000–150 000 or $100 000–150 000 per patient per year [46]. It is estimated that ~400 000 patients with IgA nephropathy live in the EU and the USA combined, and up to 50% of them may be eligible to receive these new therapies [47, 48].

Given these expenses, the revenue generated by the new specific therapies should be sufficient to support outcome studies conducted on a background of up-to-date therapies, particularly SGLT2 inhibition, as outlined before. At the same time, this is also a call to action for all nephrologists managing patients with glomerular diseases: novel and expensive therapies should not be prescribed uncritically before ensuring that the four fundamental pillars of supportive care are fully in place for at least several months, as demonstrated in the STOP-IgA trial [39].
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Jeff Miner @jeffminerphd.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Glomerular basement membrane (GBM) structural integrity dictates trans-tissu... www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... Really proud of this Cell Reports paper showing that the potentially pathogenic laminin alpha2 in the Alport GBM comes not from glomerular cells, but from the bloodstream.
sciencedirect.com
Glomerular basement membrane structural integrity dictates trans-tissue deposition of laminin in the kidney
Basement membranes (BMs) are specialized extracellular matrices (ECMs) essential for tissue structure and function. In non-vertebrates, ECM components…
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Alex Chang, MD @alexchangmd.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
SGLTi question - is it important to consider circumcision status for males? pt mentioned difficulties retracting foreskin due (sugary urine must have some impact) resulting in discontinuation…and happened to notice another pt had a similar problem @askrenal.bsky.social
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Jordy Cohen @jordybc.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Excited to share our research letter published today in JAMA on the new Apple Watch Hypertension Notification Feature! jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... 1/n
jamanetwork.com
Smartwatch and Hypertension Notification
This cross-sectional study assesses the potential impact of a smartwatch hypertension notification feature for US adults who have not been diagnosed with hypertension.
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American Journal of Hypertension @amjhypertension.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
#WeekendReads from the Advance articles section Trends in Initial Combination Antihypertensive Therapy in a US Health System 🔗 academic.oup.com/ajh/advance-... 🔒
academic.oup.com
Trends in Initial Combination Antihypertensive Therapy in a US Health System
AbstractBackground. Initial combination therapy has been recommended for patients with high blood pressure (BP). We evaluated annual trends in initial comb
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American Journal of Kidney Diseases @ajkd.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Impact of Smartphone-Enabled Home Urinary Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio Testing on Albuminuria Screening and Management bit.ly/4pMQekv (OPEN ACCESS) @alexchangmd.bsky.social
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Josh Leisring @joshleisring.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
I think there could be more clarity in how many labs report results. i.e what threshold should be considered a suppressed renin, positive screen, etc. The variety of different assays/units remains a major source of confusion. Most clinicians won't be aware of Table 5 from the Endo society guideline
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Josh Leisring @joshleisring.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
For example, my institution's lab historically reported renin/aldo with these reference ranges. Cases of overt PA could be interpreted as normal. But results are now reported with guidance on interpretation with the relevant cutoffs from our lab's assays.
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Alex Chang, MD @alexchangmd.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
As guidelines rec more Aldo/renin testing in htn, wondering whats labs role to ensure/capture details on relevant factors (timing, Na restriction, meds, KP)? Should labs rec pts test in more standardized conditions, log key details or just do it-clinicians duty to sort out? @askrenal.bsky.social
https://www.endocrine.org/clinical-practice-guidelines/primary-aldosteronism-2
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Stephen P Juraschek, MD, PhD, FAHA, AHSCP-CHS @spjuraschek.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Excited to share our thoughts on the Apple Watch Hypertension alert! @jordybc.bsky.social @deanpicone.bsky.social @alta-schutte.bsky.social Apple Watch for Hypertension Screening | Hypertension www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/...
ahajournals.org
Apple Watch for Hypertension Screening | Hypertension
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Alex Chang, MD @alexchangmd.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Pilot phase PREvention of CardIovascular and DiabEtic kidNey disease in Type 2 Diabetes (PRECIDENTD) trial. Monotherapy vs. dual therapy fill rates were 87% vs. 68% overall (P=0.004) at 10months. Of those filling meds, 22% in monotherapy, 49% in dual therapy d/c'ed pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41456635/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Dual versus monotherapy with SGLT2 inhibitor and GLP-1 receptor agonist:PRECIDENTD pragmatic randomized trial - PubMed
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05390892, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05390892.
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Lars Mølgaard Saxhaug @load-dependent.eurosky.social · 08/01/2026
I do wonder how much of the effect may be due to initiation of MRA vs higher potassium in itself. #cardiosky #emimcc
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American Journal of Hypertension @amjhypertension.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
Impact of Cost-Sharing on Self-Measured Blood Pressure: Cost and Prescription Abandonment for Home BP Monitors in a Large FQHC academic.oup.com/ajh/article-...
academic.oup.com
Impact of Cost-Sharing on Self-Measured Blood Pressure: Cost and Prescription Abandonment for Home BP Monitors in a Large FQHC
AbstractBACKGROUND. Self-measured blood pressure is an important tool for diagnosing and controlling hypertension. Current insurance coverage for home bloo
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haysamrady @sodatroubles.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
Nephrotic syndrome genomic discovery in the Mass General Brigham Biobank identifies monoallelic MEFV variants as a risk factor for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis #nephsky #nephrology www.kidney-international.org/article/S008...
kidney-international.org
Nephrotic syndrome genomic discovery in the Mass General Brigham Biobank identifies monoallelic MEFV variants as a risk factor for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Health system-based biobanks with genetic data provide a unique opportunity for nephrotic syndrome (NS) genomic discovery. This is predicated on finding cases in the electronic-health-record.
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Michelle Rheault, MD @rheaultm.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
New out today: Antiproteinuric Effect of Sparsentan in Patients with Genetic-Associated FSGS Enrolled in the DUPLEX Trial Genetic FSGS CAN be treated. journals.lww.com/cjasn/abstra...
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Alex Chang, MD @alexchangmd.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
Sign up for our NKF SCM26 Lunch Workshop - Nephrogenetic Essentials for Nephrology Providers!
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Juan Carlos Q Vélez, MD @juancarlosqvelez.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
1/n young adult gets transferred to our hospital for higher level of care. Had presented to a rural institution with weakness; found to have Hgb 7.5, serum Cr 2.6 mg/dL, hematuria. Prompted a positive p-ANCA. Nephrology is consulted on arrival
media.tenor.com
a man wearing a shirt that says sticker giant on it
ALT: a man wearing a shirt that says sticker giant on it
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David S. Goldfarb MD @weddellite.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Thanks to @jefftiedrich.bsky.social and @rubinallergy.bsky.social for keeping urine ingestion topical. This is NOT what the kidney community considers the cutting edge of nephrology, but that's where Oz, RFK Jr, Makary, Prasad, et al are leading us. @hswapnil.medsky.social
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Stephen P Juraschek, MD, PhD, FAHA, AHSCP-CHS @spjuraschek.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Happy to contribute to this important statement @ahascience.bsky.social on cuffless devices led by @jordybc.bsky.social ! Cuffless Devices for the Measurement of Blood Pressure: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association | Hypertension ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/...
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Alex Chang, MD @alexchangmd.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
Calibri’s woke www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
nytimes.com
At State Dept., a Typeface Falls Victim in the War Against Woke
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Alex Chang, MD @alexchangmd.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
Excellent Rare Kidney Disease Conference hosted by Loma Linda at the historic Mission Inn led by @saynanorouzi.bsky.social great case discussions on IgA nephropathy, c3G, PKd, genetic testing and galore! Enjoyed the AI discussant as an additional panelist, and Dr Glassock taking down AI bots
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Nephrology Journal Club @nephjc.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
🆕 #NephJCshort by @brianrifkin.bsky.social RETREAT-FRAIL- pragmatic RCT: is less BP medication worse in octogenarians? www.nephjc.com/news/hyperte...
nephjc.com
NephJC Shorts: Hypertension and The Extreme Elderly — NephJC
The NephJC shorts version of the Hypertension medication step-down in a nursing home population from NEJM
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Anand Vaidya @anandvaidya17.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
Yes. This is a game changer. Beyond being able to replace AVS, it allows one to “see” the underlying pathological contributors to a large proportion of “idiopathic” hypertension. This is another piece of evidence that should make clinicians rethink the pathogenesis and treatment of hypertension
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Swapnil Hiremath 🍁🇨🇦 @hswapnil.medsky.social · 25/11/2025
I did not know it was this bad Look at the mortality in younger females (versus males) in CKD 5 jamanetwork.com/journals/jam... in @jamainternalmed.com from Alberta #NephSky #GenderDisparities
Figure 2.  Standardized Mortality Ratio and Female to Male Mortality Rate Ratio
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Medlife Crisis (Rohin) @medcrisis.bsky.social · 23/11/2025
I am encountering yet more men on testosterone having huge heart attacks. Bear in mind I’m only on call 1/12th of the time (ie my rota has 12 consultants) and yet I’ve now seen 5 men in the last couple of months who’ve had STEMIs in their 40s and 50s. All very fit and *externally* in great shape
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NKF Nephrology Professionals @nkf-professionals.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
We’re excited to bring SCM to New Orleans for the very first time. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with colleagues and learn from experts across the kidney care spectrum. 👉 Secure your registration now: www.kidney.org/spring-clini... #NKFClinicals #Nephrology #MedEd
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Alex Chang, MD @alexchangmd.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Saw 2 pts in clinic who had anaplasmosis and AKI this summer, scary ticks…yikes!
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Swapnil Hiremath 🍁🇨🇦 @hswapnil.medsky.social · 19/11/2025
I think Aliza Thompson is an unsung hero in this story for spearheading the albuminuria acceptance at FDA journals.lww.com/cjasn/pages/... #NephJC
journals.lww.com
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Michelle Rheault, MD @rheaultm.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
From RAAS blockade to regenerative medicine: evolving treatment strategies in #Alport syndrome pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41243004/
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Jeff Miner @jeffminerphd.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Great collaboration! So happy that our O'Brien Kidney Center Variant Validation Core could help out with the VUS analyses. @washunephrology.bsky.social @obrienkidney.bsky.social
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