UT Health San Antonio 4th Annual Cardio Renal Connection 2021
Advanced Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Medicine Update
Overview
The UT Health San Antonio 4th Annual Cardio Renal Connection 2021 is a multidisciplinary educational program focused on the increasingly important intersection between cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and heart failure.
Using a practical, case-based format, the course translates complex clinical evidence into real-world treatment strategies that can be immediately implemented in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Faculty from cardiology, nephrology, endocrinology, and internal medicine provide guidance on managing patients with overlapping cardio-renal-metabolic disorders, an area that has rapidly evolved with the introduction of SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and newer kidney-protective therapies.
The program emphasizes coordinated multidisciplinary care to improve outcomes, reduce hospitalizations, and slow disease progression.
Course Features
- Case-Based Learning
- Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Disease Management
- Multidisciplinary Faculty
- Heart Failure & CKD Updates
- Diabetes & Kidney Disease Management
- Hypertension Treatment Strategies
- Evidence-Based Therapeutics
- Practical Clinical Algorithms
- Inpatient & Outpatient Applications
- Team-Based Care Models
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Apply integrated risk stratification for cardiovascular and kidney disease.
- Optimize treatment of heart failure in patients with CKD.
- Utilize contemporary diabetes therapies to reduce cardiovascular and renal risk.
- Manage hypertension using evidence-based approaches.
- Prevent and manage acute kidney injury in cardiovascular patients.
- Recognize complications associated with CKD that influence cardiovascular outcomes.
- Implement multidisciplinary care pathways for complex patients.
- Improve coordination between cardiology, nephrology, and primary care teams.
Core Topics Covered
Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Syndrome
The course focuses on the interconnected relationship between heart disease, kidney disease, and metabolic disorders.
Topics Include
- Chronic kidney disease progression
- Cardiovascular risk amplification
- Diabetes-related complications
- Multisystem disease management
- Integrated care pathways
- Risk reduction strategies
Participants learn how these overlapping conditions influence patient outcomes.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Dedicated sessions review contemporary CKD management.
Covered Areas
- CKD staging
- Risk stratification
- Disease progression
- Renal function monitoring
- Cardiovascular implications
- Long-term management
The emphasis is on preserving kidney function while reducing cardiovascular risk.
Heart Failure in CKD
A major educational theme is the challenge of managing heart failure in patients with impaired renal function.
Topics Include
- Congestion assessment
- Diuretic therapy
- Guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT)
- Renal monitoring
- Volume management
- Advanced heart failure care
Faculty discuss balancing cardiovascular benefits against renal risks.
SGLT2 Inhibitors
The symposium reviews one of the most important therapeutic advances in cardio-renal medicine.
Topics Include
- Mechanisms of action
- Heart failure benefits
- Kidney protection
- Diabetes management
- Clinical trial evidence
- Patient selection
Participants learn how SGLT2 inhibitors have transformed treatment paradigms.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
The course explores emerging evidence supporting GLP-1 therapy.
Covered Topics
- Cardiovascular risk reduction
- Weight management
- Diabetes treatment
- Renal outcomes
- Patient selection
- Clinical implementation
These agents play an increasingly important role in cardiometabolic care.
Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists (MRAs)
Faculty review newer approaches to mineralocorticoid receptor blockade.
Topics Include
- Finerenone
- CKD management
- Hyperkalemia prevention
- Cardiovascular protection
- Renal outcomes
- Treatment optimization
The program discusses how these therapies fit into modern cardio-renal care.
Hypertension Management
Hypertension remains one of the most important risk factors addressed throughout the conference.
Covered Areas
- Blood pressure targets
- Resistant hypertension
- Combination therapy
- CKD-specific management
- Heart failure considerations
- Guideline updates
Practical treatment algorithms are emphasized.
RAAS Blockade
The course reviews foundational therapies in kidney and cardiovascular disease.
Topics Include
- ACE inhibitors
- ARBs
- Renal protection
- Heart failure treatment
- Monitoring strategies
- Hyperkalemia management
These therapies remain central to comprehensive cardio-renal care.
Diabetes & CKD
The symposium examines management of diabetic kidney disease.
Topics Include
- Glycemic targets
- Medication selection
- eGFR-based therapy choices
- Hypoglycemia prevention
- Kidney protection
- Cardiovascular risk reduction
Faculty provide practical guidance for optimizing outcomes.
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
Dedicated sessions focus on prevention and management of AKI.
Covered Topics
- Contrast nephropathy prevention
- Peri-procedural kidney protection
- Risk assessment
- Monitoring strategies
- Recovery optimization
- Clinical decision-making
Special emphasis is placed on cardiovascular patients undergoing procedures.
Lipid Management
The program reviews dyslipidemia treatment in high-risk cardio-renal populations.
Topics Include
- LDL reduction
- Statin therapy
- Non-statin therapies
- ASCVD prevention
- CKD considerations
- Evidence-based treatment goals
Anemia & CKD Complications
Important systemic complications of kidney disease are reviewed.
Covered Areas
- CKD-related anemia
- Iron deficiency
- Bone-mineral disorders
- Metabolic abnormalities
- Cardiovascular consequences
- Monitoring and treatment
These conditions significantly influence long-term outcomes.
Hyperkalemia Management
The symposium addresses one of the most common therapeutic challenges.
Topics Include
- Potassium monitoring
- Medication optimization
- Potassium binders
- RAAS continuation strategies
- Risk reduction
- Outpatient management
Faculty emphasize maintaining life-saving therapies while minimizing complications.
Team-Based Cardio-Renal Care
A major focus of the conference is multidisciplinary collaboration.
Topics Include
- Cardiology-nephrology co-management
- Pharmacist integration
- Patient education
- Care coordination
- Follow-up strategies
- Shared treatment pathways
The goal is to improve safety, efficiency, and outcomes through coordinated care.
Target Audience
This course is ideal for:
- Cardiologists
- Nephrologists
- Hospitalists
- Endocrinologists
- Internal Medicine Physicians
- Primary Care Physicians
- Advanced Practice Providers
- Pharmacists
- Nurses
- Fellows and Trainees
Why This Course Stands Out
✔ Comprehensive cardio-renal-metabolic focus
✔ Practical implementation of current guidelines
✔ Strong emphasis on SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 therapies
✔ Detailed heart failure and CKD management strategies
✔ Multidisciplinary faculty perspective
✔ Case-based educational format
✔ Covers inpatient and outpatient care
✔ Includes hypertension and diabetes updates
✔ Focuses on real-world clinical workflows
✔ Highly applicable to modern cardiovascular and renal practice
