2024
Is PET the Best Screening Tool for Cardiac Assessment Prior to Renal Transplant?
Sinusas A, Asch W. Is PET the Best Screening Tool for Cardiac Assessment Prior to Renal Transplant? Circulation Cardiovascular Imaging 2024, 17: e016408. PMID: 38227693, DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.123.016408.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2023
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): A Dreaded Complication of Immunosuppression
Garcilazo N, Virmani S, Asch W. Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML): A Dreaded Complication of Immunosuppression. Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2023, 34: 610-610. DOI: 10.1681/asn.20233411s1610a.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2022
Blood Transcriptomes of SARS-CoV-2–Infected Kidney Transplant Recipients Associated with Immune Insufficiency Proportionate to Severity
Sun Z, Zhang Z, Banu K, Al Azzi Y, Reghuvaran A, Fredericks S, Planoutene M, Hartzell S, Kim Y, Pell J, Tietjen G, Asch W, Kulkarni S, Formica R, Rana M, Maltzman JS, Zhang W, Akalin E, Heeger PS, Cravedi P, Menon MC. Blood Transcriptomes of SARS-CoV-2–Infected Kidney Transplant Recipients Associated with Immune Insufficiency Proportionate to Severity. Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2022, 33: 2108-2122. PMID: 36041788, PMCID: PMC9678030, DOI: 10.1681/asn.2022010125.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsKidney transplant recipientsImmune activation pathwaysImmunosuppressant useKTR cohortAcute illnessBlood transcriptomeAcute casesT cellsCOVID-19Most kidney transplant recipientsPost-acute COVID-19Adaptive immune system activationManagement of immunosuppressionReinstitution of immunosuppressionAcute COVID-19Serum inflammatory cytokinesCOVID-19 severity scoreCOVID-19 infectionImmune system activationUpregulation of neutrophilActivation pathwayTransplant recipientsChart reviewImmune signaturesLymphocyte countIs Prioritization of Kidney Allografts to Combined Liver-Kidney Recipients Appropriate? COMMENTARY
Asch WS. Is Prioritization of Kidney Allografts to Combined Liver-Kidney Recipients Appropriate? COMMENTARY. Kidney360 2022, 3: 999-1002. PMID: 35849645, PMCID: PMC9255872, DOI: 10.34067/kid.0005042021.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2021
Evaluating the Impact and Rationale of Race-Specific Estimations of Kidney Function: Estimations from U.S. NHANES, 2015-2018
Tsai JW, Cerdeña JP, Goedel WC, Asch WS, Grubbs V, Mendu ML, Kaufman JS. Evaluating the Impact and Rationale of Race-Specific Estimations of Kidney Function: Estimations from U.S. NHANES, 2015-2018. EClinicalMedicine 2021, 42: 101197. PMID: 34849475, PMCID: PMC8608882, DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101197.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNephrologist referralPopulation-representative cross-sectional dataStage 3 chronic kidney diseaseUnited States National HealthRace adjustmentChronic kidney diseaseModification of DietRenal Disease equationGlomerular filtration rateKidney disease managementNutrition Examination SurveyManagement of kidneyTransplantation listingTransplant evaluationSerum creatinineBlack patientsEGFR valuesKidney functionKidney diseaseExamination SurveyKidney disease diagnosisFiltration rateNational HealthClinical careDiagnostic thresholdAttenuated COVID-19 Severity in the MDR-101 MLK MERCURY Tolerance Study
Kant S, Akkina S, Asch W, Brennan D. Attenuated COVID-19 Severity in the MDR-101 MLK MERCURY Tolerance Study. Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2021, 32: b12-b12. DOI: 10.1681/asn.20213210s1b12c.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGenetic and Epidemiologic Analyses of an Outbreak of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia Among Kidney Transplant Recipients in the United States
Azar MM, Cohen E, Ma L, Cissé OH, Gan G, Deng Y, Belfield K, Asch W, Grant M, Gleeson S, Koff A, Gaston DC, Topal J, Curran S, Kulkarni S, Kovacs JA, Malinis M. Genetic and Epidemiologic Analyses of an Outbreak of Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia Among Kidney Transplant Recipients in the United States. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2021, 74: 639-647. PMID: 34017984, PMCID: PMC9012955, DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab474.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsKidney transplant recipientsCases of PCPPneumocystis pneumoniaClinic visitsRisk factorsClinic exposureLow absolute lymphocyte countRisk of PCPAbsolute lymphocyte countFrequent clinic visitsPneumocystis jirovecii pneumoniaStrong risk factorNon-white raceCase-control analysisBelatacept groupMonthly infusionsTransplant recipientsBaseline characteristicsJirovecii pneumoniaLymphocyte countMultilocus sequence typingInterhuman transmissionRespiratory specimensUnivariate analysisEpidemiologic dataImpact of Low-Dose Fluconazole on Tacrolimus Dosing in Renal Transplant
Johnston JP, Cohen EA, Casal GH, Asch WS, Reardon DP. Impact of Low-Dose Fluconazole on Tacrolimus Dosing in Renal Transplant. Journal Of Pharmacy Practice 2021, 35: 701-706. PMID: 33759619, DOI: 10.1177/08971900211000702.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLow-dose fluconazoleRenal transplant patientsAdverse drug reactionsTAC levelsTransplant patientsGraft rejectionDrug reactionsTherapeutic levelsSingle-center retrospective chart reviewPost-operative day 10Azole antifungal therapySubtherapeutic tacrolimus levelsTAC dose adjustmentRenal transplant recipientsTotal daily doseRetrospective chart reviewTacrolimus dosingTacrolimus levelsRenal transplantTransplant recipientsChart reviewSecondary outcomesDaily doseDose adjustmentPrimary outcomeIs prioritization of kidney allografts to combined liver-kidney recipients appropriate? Discussion of the Pros and Cons.
Asch WS. Is prioritization of kidney allografts to combined liver-kidney recipients appropriate? Discussion of the Pros and Cons. Kidney360, In Press, 2021Peer-Reviewed Original Research In Press
2020
Identifying a Kidney Transplant Recipient COVID Phenotype to Aid Test Utilization in the Setting of Limited Testing Availability—Does One Exist?
Virmani S, Gleeson SE, Girone GF, Malhotra D, Cohen EA, Klarman SE, Asch WS. Identifying a Kidney Transplant Recipient COVID Phenotype to Aid Test Utilization in the Setting of Limited Testing Availability—Does One Exist? Transplantation Proceedings 2020, 52: 2584-2591. PMID: 32711848, PMCID: PMC7305913, DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2020.05.033.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsKidney transplant recipientsSARS-CoV-2BK viremiaLimited testing availabilityTesting availabilitySevere acute respiratory syndrome 2 virusImmunosuppressed kidney transplant recipientsOutpatient testing centerPolyoma BK viremiaCOVID-19 infectionPositive predictive valueTransplant recipientsImmunocompetent patientsSymptomatic patientsImmunosuppressed patientsTransplant centersHigh morbidityEmergency departmentInpatient treatmentGeneral populationHigh incidencePatientsCenter deliveriesPredictive valueTest utilizationClinical Implications of Unique Drug Interaction Between Extended Release Tacrolimus and Phenytoin
Harkness TM, Cohen EA, Asch WS, Belfield KD. Clinical Implications of Unique Drug Interaction Between Extended Release Tacrolimus and Phenytoin. Progress In Transplantation 2020, 30: 177-178. PMID: 32233829, DOI: 10.1177/1526924820913500.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe Role of the General Nephrologist in Evaluating Patients for Kidney Transplantation: Core Curriculum 2020
Virmani S, Asch WS. The Role of the General Nephrologist in Evaluating Patients for Kidney Transplantation: Core Curriculum 2020. American Journal Of Kidney Diseases 2020, 76: 567-579. PMID: 32199707, DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2020.01.001.BooksConceptsGeneral nephrologistKidney transplantationTransplantation centersKidney transplant waiting listHigher body mass indexCore Curriculum 2020Body mass indexTransplant waiting listLife-saving therapyAllograft outcomesMost patientsPrior malignancyPatient factorsMass indexReplacement therapyKidney failureCardiovascular healthOptimal patientNew patientsWaiting listPreferred modalityPatientsNephrologistsTransplantationRecipient evaluation
2019
Is Hypertension Following Donor Nephrectomy Cause For Elevated Living Donor Kidney Function Concern?
Asch WS. Is Hypertension Following Donor Nephrectomy Cause For Elevated Living Donor Kidney Function Concern? Clinical Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2019, 14: 1427-1429. PMID: 31591256, PMCID: PMC6777590, DOI: 10.2215/cjn.09650819.Commentaries, Editorials and LettersGraft-Versus-Host Disease After Pancreatic Transplantation
Saffo S, Peng C, Kibbi N, Patel N, Robert ME, Adekolu E, Asch WS, Sanchez M. Graft-Versus-Host Disease After Pancreatic Transplantation. ACG Case Reports Journal 2019, 6: e00214. PMID: 31750381, PMCID: PMC6831153, DOI: 10.14309/crj.0000000000000214.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHost diseasePancreatic transplantationHematopoietic stem cell transplantationSolid organ transplantsStem cell transplantationAggressive immunosuppressionDiabetic womenGraft-VersusLiver transplantMultiorgan failureBiopsy findingsCommon complicationEndoscopic confirmationSmall bowelCell transplantationOrgan transplantsBone marrowTransplantationMinimal responseGVHDTransplantDiseaseImmunosuppressionBowelComplications
2018
New England BK consortium: Regional survey of BK screening and management protocols in comparison to published consensus guidelines
Gabardi S, Pavlakis M, Tan C, Francis J, Cardarelli F, Asch W, Bodziak K, Chobanian M, Gilligan H, Gohh R, Kung S, Inker L, Martin S, Rodig N, Rossi A, Chandraker A. New England BK consortium: Regional survey of BK screening and management protocols in comparison to published consensus guidelines. Transplant Infectious Disease 2018, 20: e12985. PMID: 30175491, DOI: 10.1111/tid.12985.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRenal transplant recipientsConsensus guidelinesBKPyV-associated nephropathyCNI dose reductionPlasma viral loadUse of leflunomideCopies/mLHalf of centersMajority of centersManagement protocolCause biopsiesImmunosuppression reductionIntravenous immunoglobulinTransplant recipientsRenal biopsyViral loadBK polyomavirusPrimary treatmentDose reductionBiopsyUniform screeningNephropathyBKPyVShort durationScreeningFrailty and Perioperative Outcomes
Deshpande R, Asch W, Malinis M. Frailty and Perioperative Outcomes. Current Anesthesiology Reports 2018, 8: 225-231. DOI: 10.1007/s40140-018-0275-4.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus StatementsFrail individualsPurpose of ReviewFrailtyHigh operative riskSerious adverse outcomesAssociation of frailtyHealth care utilizationOlder age groupsQuality of lifeRecent FindingsFrailtyFrail patientsHospital stayPerioperative outcomesOperative interventionOperative riskPerioperative periodSurgical candidatesCare utilizationExercise programSurgical outcomesAdverse outcomesSurgical decisionAge groupsFrailtyOutcomesPatients
2017
Delayed Graft Function Phenotypes and 12-Month Kidney Transplant Outcomes
Hall IE, Reese PP, Doshi MD, Weng FL, Schröppel B, Asch WS, Ficek J, Thiessen-Philbrook H, Parikh CR. Delayed Graft Function Phenotypes and 12-Month Kidney Transplant Outcomes. Transplantation 2017, 101: 1913-1923. PMID: 27495761, PMCID: PMC5292094, DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000001409.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIschemia-reperfusion injurySlow graft functionDelayed graft functionKidney transplant outcomesGraft functionTransplant outcomesCreatinine reductionDeath-censored graft failureDeceased donor kidney recipientsPoor kidney transplant outcomesSevere ischemia-reperfusion injuryGlomerular filtration rateLong-term outcomesLarger translational studiesDGF definitionsIRI severityKidney recipientsDialysis initiationGraft failureProspective studyUnited NetworkFiltration rateRelative riskDialysis sessionOrgan SharingNational Kidney Allocation System
Asch W, Stewart D, Formica R. National Kidney Allocation System. DeckerMed Nephrology Dialysis And Transplantation 2017 DOI: 10.2310/nephro.12068.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDeceased donor kidneysNew allocation policyAllocation policyDonor kidneysHigh kidney donor profile indexKidney allocationKidney Donor Profile IndexDeceased donor graftsKidney allocation systemKidney allocation policyScarce national resourceLongevity matchingKidney transplantationDonor graftsOlder recipientsBiopsy resultsOlder donorsAllocation practicesBlood flowKidneyPolicyScarce resourcesBiomarker measurementsTransplantationRapid transplantationKidney Transplantation
24. Nemr, Saed, and Asch, WS. "Kidney Transplantation." In: CURRENT Diagnosis & Treatment: Nephrology & Hypertension, 2e Eds. Edgar V. Lerma, et al. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. 2017Books
2016
New Organ Allocation System for Combined Liver-Kidney Transplants and the Availability of Kidneys for Transplant to Patients with Stage 4–5 CKD
Asch WS, Bia MJ. New Organ Allocation System for Combined Liver-Kidney Transplants and the Availability of Kidneys for Transplant to Patients with Stage 4–5 CKD. Clinical Journal Of The American Society Of Nephrology 2016, 12: 848-852. PMID: 28028050, PMCID: PMC5477211, DOI: 10.2215/cjn.08480816.Commentaries, Editorials and LettersConceptsLiver-kidney transplantSimultaneous liver-kidney transplantOrgan allocationCombined liver-kidney transplantAvailability of kidneysMultiorgan transplant recipientsEquitable organ allocationMedical criteriaOrgan allocation systemLiver recipientsTransplant recipientsTransplant activityNephrology communityTransplantKidneyRecipientsStage 4Great controversyCKDPatientsAKICriteria