Date: Wednesday, March 31, 2021 Time: 1:00 PM EDT

Date: Thursday, April 15, 2021 Time: 1:00 PM EDT

Duration: 1 hour

Urea and creatinine have been key indicators of kidney function for years and can be measured easily and quickly with currently available whole blood point of care analyzers. While newer tests for assessing renal function may hold promise for the future, they currently lack the history and clinical familiarity of urea, creatinine, and their ratio. In addition, the urea:creatinine ratio still has significant value in selected patient populations, particularly critically ill patients, COVID-19 patients, and trauma patients. This webinar will describe the biochemisty of urea and creatinine production, and the physiology and handling of these metabolites by the kidneys as a lead-in to a discussion of the urea:creatinine ratio. New clinical studies will be summarized that describe the utility of the urea:creatinine ratio as a rapid, easy to obtain parameter to gauge the severity of the illness and the likelihood of survival in COVID-19, sepsis, and trauma patients.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the physiology of urea and creatinine production and handling of these metabolites by the kidney
  • Understand physiology of the kidneys and how kidney handling of urea and creatinine change with disease severity
  • Apply and interpret the urea:creatinine ratio in critical illness

Educational Credits

This program offers 1 hour of P.A.C.E. continuing education credits.

This program has been approved by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), for 1.00 CERPs, Synergy CERP Category A, File Number 23540. Approval refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN approval or endorsement of the content of this educational activity, or the products mentioned.Speakers

John Toffaletti, Ph.D.

John Toffaletti, Ph.D.
Professor of Pathology, Director of ABG and CPED Labs
Duke University Medical Center

Dennis Begos, MD, FACS, FACRS

Dennis Begos, MD, FACS, FACRS
Associate Medical Director, Medical and Scientific Affair
Nova Biomedical