A pinch of salt – A podcast by ERA
- Episodes
- 143
- Released
- daily
- Latest episode
- Nov 12, 2026
About the podcast
A pinch of salt is the official ERA podcast dedicated to nephrology.
Each month, we'll release three episodes with nephrologists and other physicians discuss advances in clinical practice and renal medicine.
Hosts: Andrej Skoberne and George Kosmadakis
Episodes 143
#85 Top ten tips in managing ANCA vasculitis, with Ana Carina Ferreira (Host) and Min Hui Tan (Guest)
In this episode, Ana Carina Ferreira takes on the role of host, welcoming Min Hui Tan, co-author of the paper “Top Ten Tips in Managing ANCA Vasculitis” published in the Clinical Kidney Journal, to discuss key …
Show notes
In this episode, Ana Carina Ferreira takes on the role of host, welcoming Min Hui Tan, co-author of the paper “Top Ten Tips in Managing ANCA Vasculitis” published in the Clinical Kidney Journal, to discuss key challenges and evolving strategies in the management of ANCA-associated vasculitis.
Tune in for an insightful discussion and read the full article!Min Hui Tan, David Jayne, Top ten tips in managing ANCA vasculitis, Clinical Kidney Journal, Volume 18, Issue 2, February 2025, sfae389, https://doi.org/10.1093/ckj/sfae389
#86 Antibody-mediated rejection—treatment standard, with Rainer Oberbauer (Host) and Georg A. Böhmig (Guest)
Rainer Oberbauer is the host of this episode, welcoming Georg A. Böhmig, co-author of the paper “Antibody-mediated rejection—treatment standard” published in the Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, to discuss …
Show notes
Rainer Oberbauer is the host of this episode, welcoming Georg A. Böhmig, co-author of the paper “Antibody-mediated rejection—treatment standard” published in the Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, to discuss the challenges and evolving therapeutic strategies in antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after kidney transplantation.
Discover more about the topic in this episode and explore the full paper for further insights.
Georg A Böhmig, Maarten Naesens, Ondrej Viklicky, Olivier Thaunat, Matthias Diebold, Lionel Rostaing, Klemens Budde, Antibody-mediated rejection—treatment standard, Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, Volume 40, Issue 8, August 2025, Pages 1615–1627, https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfaf097#87 Ten tips on how to manage obesity in the presence of CKD, with Pierre Delanaye (Host) and Nadine Kaesler (Guest)
Pierre Delanaye, host of this episode, welcomes Nadine Kaesler, co-author of the paper “Ten tips on how to manage obesity in the presence of CKD” published in Clinical Kidney Journal, to discuss the challenges …
Show notes
Pierre Delanaye, host of this episode, welcomes Nadine Kaesler, co-author of the paper “Ten tips on how to manage obesity in the presence of CKD” published in Clinical Kidney Journal, to discuss the challenges of managing obesity in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Discover the key challenges and clinical considerations surrounding obesity management in CKD, and read the full paper for further insights.
Nadine Kaesler, Susanne Fleig, Ten tips on how to manage obesity in the presence of CKD, Clinical Kidney Journal, Volume 17, Issue 11, November 2024, sfae317, https://doi.org/10.1093/ckj/sfae317#82 POCUS in nephrology: ready for prime time? with Faeq Husain-Syed
For decades, “volume status” meant a (un)healthy dose of educated guessing. What if you could just look? Faeq Husain-Syed (Giessen) joins "A pinch of salt" to explain how kidney venous Doppler makes congestion …
Show notes
For decades, “volume status” meant a (un)healthy dose of educated guessing. What if you could just look? Faeq Husain-Syed (Giessen) joins "A pinch of salt" to explain how kidney venous Doppler makes congestion visible, and whether Point-of-care Ultrasound is ready for prime time.
#83 CKM syndrome: why you should care, with Amaryllis Van Craenenbroeck
Heart over there, kidney over here, metabolism somebody else’s problem? Not anymore. Amaryllis Van Craenenbroeck (KU Leuven) makes the case for Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic syndrome as one continuum, not …
Show notes
Heart over there, kidney over here, metabolism somebody else’s problem? Not anymore. Amaryllis Van Craenenbroeck (KU Leuven) makes the case for Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic syndrome as one continuum, not three separated clinics. Four drug classes, three organs, one patient, prevention upstream, and a fair hearing for the sceptics who call it disease-mongering.
#84 The failing allograft: more than the rise of creatinine with Annelies de Weerd
We watch creatinine rise and fall all the time, but a failing kidney allograft is more than a numbers game. Annelies de Weerd (Erasmus MC Rotterdam) covers when to call it failure, the immunosuppression taper …
Show notes
We watch creatinine rise and fall all the time, but a failing kidney allograft is more than a numbers game. Annelies de Weerd (Erasmus MC Rotterdam) covers when to call it failure, the immunosuppression taper, and helping patients through what feels like a step backwards.
#79 Osteoporosis in CKD: when bone and kidneys disagree? with Hanne Skou Jørgensen
We obsess over PTH, calcium, and phosphate — yet our patients are quietly, inconveniently, fracturing. Hip fracture rates in dialysis patients dwarf the general population, and with very high mortality rates …
Show notes
We obsess over PTH, calcium, and phosphate — yet our patients are quietly, inconveniently, fracturing. Hip fracture rates in dialysis patients dwarf the general population, and with very high mortality rates. Hugo Diniz asks Hanne Skou Jørgensen the uncomfortable question: have nephrologists been missing osteoporosis all along? DEXA’s comeback, bone turnover markers, and a practical screening algorithm.
#80 European Specialty Examination in Nephrology: demystifying the ESENeph with David Lappin
Every nephrology trainee in Europe has heard about it, stressed about it, or is quietly pretending it doesn’t exist: the ESENeph. Is it a genuine European passport, or just one more exam? Hugo Diniz talks to …
Show notes
Every nephrology trainee in Europe has heard about it, stressed about it, or is quietly pretending it doesn’t exist: the ESENeph. Is it a genuine European passport, or just one more exam? Hugo Diniz talks to David Lappin, about the exam’s format, its career value, and why trainees should sign up.
#81 Diuretics in Acute Heart Failure: take them with a “pinch of salt”? with Jozene Ter Maaten
In acute heart failure, we’re told to take things with a pinch of salt but salt might be exactly what we should watch. Hugo Diniz welcomes Jozine ter Maaten, the principal investigator behind the PUSH-AHF …
Show notes
In acute heart failure, we’re told to take things with a pinch of salt but salt might be exactly what we should watch. Hugo Diniz welcomes Jozine ter Maaten, the principal investigator behind the PUSH-AHF trial, to argue heart failure is a sodium problem dressed as a fluid one — and why a rising creatinine may be a friend, not a foe.
#76 Late Breakers, LIVE from Glasgow, with Alberto Ortiz and Danilo Fliser
This is “A pinch of salt” live from the 63rd ERA Congress! Recorded straight out of a packed Clyde Plenary Room: six trials, ninety minutes! Hugo Diniz, the new podcast host, brings you rapid-fire expert …
Show notes
This is “A pinch of salt” live from the 63rd ERA Congress! Recorded straight out of a packed Clyde Plenary Room: six trials, ninety minutes! Hugo Diniz, the new podcast host, brings you rapid-fire expert commentary with two titans of European nephrology, Alberto Ortiz and Danilo Fliser. On the menu — a brand-new CKD drug class (nurandociguat), what patients actually feel on semaglutide (FLOW sub-analysis), two IgA nephropathy therapies going long-term (atrasentan and iptacopan), anticoagulation in advanced kidney disease (TRACK), and the first randomised trial of dialysis versus conservative care. An episode you just can’t miss!
#77 Generative AI for the busy nephrologist: adapt or perish? with Wisit Cheungpasitporn
Are we all about to be replaced by chatbots? Probably not — but is there a risk of Gen-AI acute tubular necrosis for those who don't adapt? Hugo Diniz is joined by Wisit Cheungpasitporn to demystify what …
Show notes
Are we all about to be replaced by chatbots? Probably not — but is there a risk of Gen-AI acute tubular necrosis for those who don't adapt? Hugo Diniz is joined by Wisit Cheungpasitporn to demystify what generative AI can actually do, expose what it definitely can't (yet), and make it approachable for every working nephrologist. From automating those soul-crushing clinic notes to navigating the constant flow of new evidence, "vibe coding" your own tools, and the dark side of energy use and patient privacy. AI may not replace your clinical judgment anytime soon — but it might just cure our chronic administrative disease.
#78 B-cell therapy in IgA Nephropathy: worth the hype? with Vlado Perkovic
For decades, treating IgA nephropathy meant looking thoughtful while saying "let's optimise supportive care and monitor closely." Not anymore. We've gone from one road to a full therapeutic …
Show notes
For decades, treating IgA nephropathy meant looking thoughtful while saying "let's optimise supportive care and monitor closely." Not anymore. We've gone from one road to a full therapeutic roundabout, and nobody wants the wrong exit. Hugo Diniz welcomes Vlado Perkovic to navigate the new era: anti-APRIL and anti-BAFF agents, the VISIONARY and ORIGIN data, and the 2025 KDIGO framework. Are we finally switching off the disease at its source, or just admiring another elegant proteinuria curve? Vlado helps us separate evidence from excitement, and hype from hope. A new episode of A pinch of salt.
#73 Inhibition of Aldosterone Synthase and MRAs in Nephrology, with Maria Jose Soler Romeo
In this episode Maria Jose Soler Romeo joins us to break down the shifting landscape of MRAs and Aldosterone Synthase Inhibition. We’ll cover the central role of aldosterone as a central culprit in inflammation …
Show notes
In this episode Maria Jose Soler Romeo joins us to break down the shifting landscape of MRAs and Aldosterone Synthase Inhibition. We’ll cover the central role of aldosterone as a central culprit in inflammation and renal fibrosis, how the rise of non-steroidal MRAs is helping clinicians bypass traditional roadblocks like hyperkalemia and the future of slowing CKD progression through precision medicine.
#74 Inflammation and Aging in CKD – From Translational Basics to Clinical Practice, with Peter Stenvinkel
In this episode we are joined by Peter Stenvinkel to discuss why Chronic Kidney Disease is increasingly recognized as a state of "fast-forward" aging. We dive into: The "Inflammaging" Factor- How chronic …
Show notes
In this episode we are joined by Peter Stenvinkel to discuss why Chronic Kidney Disease is increasingly recognized as a state of "fast-forward" aging.
We dive into: The "Inflammaging" Factor- How chronic low-grade inflammation acts as a silent driver of vascular disease and frailty, the cellular Senescence: Exploring the gut-kidney axis and the "zombie cells" that stall recovery and clinical Intervention: Practical strategies for clinicians to monitor biological age and improve both quality and length of life.#75 What is narrative-based medicine? with Amy Waterman
In the 75th episode of A Pinch of Salt we'll be talking about narrative-based medicine, a topic that is not specific to nephrology, but it should be a core topic that is deeply involved in practicing …
Show notes
In the 75th episode of A Pinch of Salt we'll be talking about narrative-based medicine, a topic that is not specific to nephrology, but it should be a core topic that is deeply involved in practicing patient-friendly clinical medicine. In medical schools we are taught extensively on how to get information from patients about their symptoms and signs, which will help us develop a differential diagnosis. But we don’t learn much about how to get information on the patient’s point of view, their ideas, concerns and expectations. We are also not always well equipped to communicate important medical information to patients in a manner that would be understandable to them and also meaningful. Narrative-based medicine is an approach to healthcare that emphasizes understanding a patient’s story—not just their symptoms or test results—as a central part of diagnosis and treatment. It is also a very useful tool that helps you to communicate effectively back to the patient. It is often not helpful to define a patient’s medical reality by using the language of science, as this is understood only by scientists and virtually nobody else. Learn how to incorporate stories in your clinical practice. It will benefit both you and your patients.
#70 How to tackle PD complications? with Sana F. Khan
In this episode, we explore the reality of clinical practice. It’s relatively easy to be a doctor when everything goes according to plan, but what happens when things get complicated? That’s where true …
Show notes
In this episode, we explore the reality of clinical practice. It’s relatively easy to be a doctor when everything goes according to plan, but what happens when things get complicated? That’s where true experience comes into play. Join us as Sana F. Khan shares valuable insights on how to tackle Peritoneal Dialysis complications and build confidence in challenging situations.
#71 Obstacles for the Development of Peritoneal Dialysis – A Solution Toolbox, with Karlien François
In this episode, Karlien François helps us dismantle the barriers to Peritoneal Dialysis. From structural challenges to patient perceptions, she introduces a practical “solution toolbox” designed to make PD a …
Show notes
In this episode, Karlien François helps us dismantle the barriers to Peritoneal Dialysis. From structural challenges to patient perceptions, she introduces a practical “solution toolbox” designed to make PD a more accessible and flexible therapy for CKD patients worldwide. It’s time to turn obstacles into opportunities.
#72 Liquid Biopsies and Other AI Goodies in Nephrology, with Valentin Goutaudier
In this episode, we step into the future of transplantation with Valentin Goutaudier. Discover how precision diagnostics and artificial intelligence are coming together to enable more personalised, proactive …
Show notes
In this episode, we step into the future of transplantation with Valentin Goutaudier. Discover how precision diagnostics and artificial intelligence are coming together to enable more personalised, proactive care for renal transplant recipients and what this means for the future of medicine.
#67 Extracorporeal Adsorption Techniques in ICU Patients – When to Say Yes, When to Suggest No? With Thomas Rimmele
In this episode we will be talking with Thomas Rimmele, an expert in treating acute kidney injury in the ICU, about the role of the new extracorporeal adsorption techniques in ICU patients. We’ll be discussing …
Show notes
In this episode we will be talking with Thomas Rimmele, an expert in treating acute kidney injury in the ICU, about the role of the new extracorporeal adsorption techniques in ICU patients. We’ll be discussing who are the candidates, when to start treatment, how long should a single session last, how long should we continue doing it, which parameters to check to see if we are successful or not and much, much more. If you are unsure on how to use these techniques to benefit the sickest of patients, this one is for you.
#68 What’s New in Vascular Access? With Tamara Jemcov
In this episode we’ll be talking to Tamara Jemcov, the current president of the Vascular Access Society, about novelties in the field of vascular access. If you haven’t checked out the programme from the last …
Show notes
In this episode we’ll be talking to Tamara Jemcov, the current president of the Vascular Access Society, about novelties in the field of vascular access. If you haven’t checked out the programme from the last Vascular Access Congress which was held in 2025 Padova, you should take look. The field is really expanding and growing, and Tamara discussed the new approaches that were presented at the Congress. We also talked about the appropriate timing of vascular access construction, the immensely useful role of ultrasound in following fistulas and grafts and how it is possible for us to learn this relatively easily, tunnelled vs. non-tunnelled catheters and so on. Definitely worth listening to if you are not an expert in vascular access.
#69 A Practical Guide on Frailty and Sarcopenia for CKD Patients, with Thomas Wilkinson
In this very interesting episode with Thomas Wilkinson we talk about sarcopenia — its prevalence, the outcomes associated with it, the available tools for screening and assessment, the most effective …
Show notes
In this very interesting episode with Thomas Wilkinson we talk about sarcopenia — its prevalence, the outcomes associated with it, the available tools for screening and assessment, the most effective interventions, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to care.
#64 Evolution of Treatment Paradigms in ANCA Vasculitis, with David Jayne
Join A pinch of salt, as we sit down with David Jayne to trace the rapid transformation of ANCA-associated vasculitis care. From the historic cyclophosphamide–glucocorticoid backbone to biologics like rituximab …
Show notes
Join A pinch of salt, as we sit down with David Jayne to trace the rapid transformation of ANCA-associated vasculitis care. From the historic cyclophosphamide–glucocorticoid backbone to biologics like rituximab and newer targeted strategies such as complement inhibition (including avacopan), this episode unpacks how clinicians can balance efficacy, safety, and quality of life—while looking ahead to what may define the next decade of treatment.
#65 About the GFR formulas – How to measure renal function in 2026? with Pierre Delanaye
In this episode of A pinch of salt, we welcome Pierre Delanaye for a forward-looking discussion on how we should assess kidney function in 2026. Together, we explore the strengths and limits of today’s GFR …
Show notes
In this episode of A pinch of salt, we welcome Pierre Delanaye for a forward-looking discussion on how we should assess kidney function in 2026. Together, we explore the strengths and limits of today’s GFR equations (MDRD, CKD-EPI, cystatin C-based approaches), the promise of emerging biomarkers and AI-driven tools, and the crucial question of fairness and accuracy across diverse populations.
#66 Patient-reported outcomes in clinical practice, with Paul Cockwell
In this episode of A pinch of salt we’ll be talking to Paul Cockwell about patient-reported outcomes in clinical practice. You may or may not be aware of these issues and their importance but one might argue …
Show notes
In this episode of A pinch of salt we’ll be talking to Paul Cockwell about patient-reported outcomes in clinical practice. You may or may not be aware of these issues and their importance but one might argue, and we certainly would, that every doctor should be mindful of what their patients consider to be an important outcome and whether they are achieving it or not. Paul is a champion of this field, and he provided some very useful pointers on how a beginner in this field might get to know it and start working on these issues in his or her clinical practice. The SONG initiative will be mentioned, as well as a useful systematic review on symptom burden and health-related quality of life in CKD, and a shout out to a recent important paper published in CKJ (doi: 10.1093/ckj/sfaf112). Learn about the art of trying to meet the patients’ needs in this knowledge-packed episode.
These are the latest 42 of 143 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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