Like the previous four volumes in this series (published annually on the occasion of the International Conference on Dialysis organized by the Renal Research Institute, New York), this book remains faithful to the by now well-established concept of its predecessors: It covers not only current technological and therapeutic issues in the field of end-stage renal diseases, but also clinical issues related to chronic kidney disease confronting nephrologists and caregivers. This latest volume contains, among many others, contributions on the role of renal cell therapy in the treatment of patients with acute and chronic renal failure; strategies for the prevention of sudden death in chronic kidney disease; the how and why of dialysis without membranes, and a discussion of calcimimetics versus vitamin D. Covering a broad spectrum of topics, this publication is a most helpful educational tool for young physicians, but also serves as a valuable reference book for experienced clinicians.