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What’s New in the Field of Nephrology?

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The 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting and the Nephrology and Transplantation Update (postgraduate course) were successfully held earlier this month. The Scientific Program and Education Committee (SPEC) of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology worked extremely hard to produce a stimulating, innovative and successful scientific program. Held in the stunning tourist destination of the Gold Coast, the three day conference provided scientific knowledge and educational material in basic nephrology and the latest clinical research. The meeting was attended by trainees, nephrologists, scientists and an amazing assembly of international and national speakers.

The three day innovative scientific program consisting of plenary lectures, seminars, meetings, poster sessions and trade exhibitions, provided a steady balance between clinical and basic science research. Like its predecessors, the 43rd meeting achieved high attendance from international and national experts in the field. Invited international speakers included renowned Professor Hans-Herik Parving from Copenhagen, Denmark and Professor Caroline Savage from Birmingham, United Kingdom. A new focus of the conference this year was updating practicing clinicians in transplantation. As such a separate Nephrology and Transplantation Update interactive program was held on the three days preceding this year’s meeting. Trainees, scientists and consultant nephrologists were offered an interactive and practical insight into the most novel research into renal transplantation. Central topics of presentation in the scientific meeting included basic nephrology, diabetic nephropathy, autoimmune renal disease, haemodialysis and glomerulonephritis. Topical discussions included the role of Tacrolimus (immunosuppressant) blood concentration measurements prior and post renal transplantation. Campbell et al. concluded that standard protocols were sufficient to produce target blood concentrations, avoiding the need for extensive pre-transplantation tacrolimus blood concentration assessments. A further hot topic was the management of anaemia in chronic kidney disease and haemodialysis patients. Management options such as regular monitoring, iron supplements, proactive nurse protocols and erythrocyte stimulating agents (ESA) have been heavily researched and are helping patients to achieve anaemia targets and guidelines. Irish and Cochrane proved that ESA agents IV Eprex and Aranesp could successfully maintain haemoglobin within the target range for Aboriginal patients with chronic kidney disease. Long-acting ESA agents such as Aranesp could revolutionise management of this complex group of patients by increasing availability, flexibility and reducing missed doses. Practical methods for managing haemodialysis patients were also addressed during the scientific program. Haemodialysis ideally should be commenced with an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) as this has been shown to be a quality indicator of dialysis care. However only two thirds of patients currently commence haemodialysis with an AVF and the remainder is commenced using an arteriovenous graft or catheter. By implementing a specific vascular access nurse in your hospital unit, the coordination of the surgical waiting lists can be improved. This will significantly increase the proportion of patients commencing dialysis with an AVF and hopefully improve clinical outcomes. For further information and highlights of the 2007 conference please refer to the following website: http://www.ozaccom.com.au/nephrology/ In 2008, the 44th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology will be held in Newcastle. Dates are waiting to be confirmed and published but Paul Trevillian and Al Gillies are already working hard on the organising committee. The 2009 meeting is set to be held in Hobart. Source:

  1. ANZSN, 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology- Programme and Abstract Book, Nephrology 2007; 12 (2): A1-A54.
  2. Campbell, Hawley, Irish, Hutchinson, Walker, Ferrari. Pre-Transplant Pharmacokinietics as a Predictor of Dose Requirement Post Renal Transplantation. 43 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand society of Nephrology, Broadbeach, Australia, September 2007.
  3. Irish, Cochrane. A Comparison of IV Epoetin-Alfa (Eprex) and Darbepoetin-Alfa (Aranesp) in Haemodialysis Patients in the Pilbara Dialysis Unit, 43 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand society of Nephrology. Broadbeach, Australia, September 2007.
  4. Polkinghorne, Seneviratne, Kerr. The Effect of the Vascular Nurse on Vascular Access Outcomes: A Before and After Study, 43 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand society of Nephrology. Broadbeach, Australia, September 2007.
  5. Yong, Yuill, Kairaitis. Efficacy of Nurse Driven Protocols for Anaemia Management in Haemodialysis Patients, 43 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand society of Nephrology. Broadbeach, Australia, September 2007.

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Posted On: 25 September, 2007
Modified On: 16 January, 2014

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