CME/CE Podcast: Unmasking Residual Inflammatory Risk in Cardiorenal Disease

For more information regarding this CME/CE activity and to complete the CME/CE requirements and claim credit for this activity, visit:https://www.mycme.com/courses/unmasking-residual-inflammatory-risk-in-cardiorenal-disease-10898Program DescriptionCardiorenal-inflammatory syndrome is driven by silent, underlying inflammation in which cellular irritants trigger the intracellular NLRP3 inflammasome. This activation releases a signaling cascade along the IL-1β–IL-6 axis, driving endothelial dysfunction, plaque instability, and nephron fibrosis. Among patients with overlapping atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, persistent systemic inflammation acts as an independent, primary driver of major adverse cardiovascular events and functional renal decline, necessitating a shift from a purely metabolic management model to an immunologic paradigm.This CME/CE podcast provides clinicians with a practical framework to identify and manage residual inflammatory risk in daily clinical practice. The activity details protocols for expanding routine risk assessments beyond standard lipid panels, defining high-priority patient populations for mandatory hsCRP screening, and applying dual heart-kidney protective strategies. Participants will gain actionable pearls to recognize inflammatory risk earlier, optimize screening workflows, and improve long-term outcomes for complex cardiorenal patients.Educational ObjectiveAt the conclusion of this activity, participants should be better able to:Differentiate the pathophysiologic roles of IL-6, IL-1β, and the NLRP3 inflammasome in the bidirectional inflammatory cycle of ASCVD and CKDApply evidence-based screening protocols using hsCRP to identify patients with residual inflammatory riskAccredited ProvidersThe Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. and the National Association for Continuing Education in partnership with the Academy of Physician Associates in CardiologyThe Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. (ABC) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Accreditation Standards of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) through the joint providership of the National Association for Continuing Education (NACE) and The Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. (ABC). NACE is accredited by the AANP as an approved provider of nurse practitioner continuing education. Provider number 121222. This activity is approved for 0.25 contact hours (which includes 0 hours of pharmacology).FacultyPaul Ridker, MD, MPHEugene Braunwald Professor of MedicineHarvard Medical SchoolMedical Institution Mass General Brigham HospitalBoston, MADr Ridker has disclosed the following financial relationships:Consultant: Agepha, Ardelyx, AstraZeneca, BioAge, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cardio Therapeutics, Cardiol Therapeutics, Caristo, CSL Behring, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, HeartFlow, NewAmsterdam Pharma, Nodthera, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, SOCAR, Tourmaline BioAdvisor/Advisory Board: Eli Lilly, Novo NordiskContracted Research: Bristol Myers Squibb, Kowa, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, PfizerAll of Dr Ridker’s disclosures are related to atherosclerosis.Eldrin Lewis, MD, MPHChief, Division of Cardiovascular MedicineSimon Stertzer, MD, Professor of MedicineStanford University School of MedicinePalo Alto, CADr Lewis has disclosed the following financial relationships:Consultant: Akebia (kidney disease), Astra Zeneca (heart failure), Dal-Cor (hyperlipidemia), Intellia (genetic editing), Merck (heart failure)All of Dr Lewis’ disclosures are related to atherosclerosis.All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.Nurse Planner and Peer ReviewerMarjorie Crabtree, DNP, FNP, ANPHaymarket Medical EducationSteering CommitteeNurse Practitioner Healthcare FoundationAccredited Provider Program DirectorBellevue, WADr. Crabtree has no relevant conflicts of interest with any ACCME-defined ineligible company.APAC Planning CommitteeLaura Ross, PA-CAdjunct Professor Bethel UniversityPA ProgramDirector, Heart Disease Prevention and Lipid ClinicPark NicolletSt. Louis Park, MNLaura Ross has no relevant conflicts of interest with any ACCME-defined ineligible company.Association of Black Cardiologists Planning CommitteeTierra DillenburgSenior ManagerCME/CE Administration & Special ProjectsAssociation of Black Cardiologists, Inc.Tierra Dillenburg has no relevant conflicts of interest with any ACCME-defined ineligible company.Commercial SupporterThis activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Novo Nordisk.Please visit  http://naceonline.com to engage in more live and on demand CME/CE content.