Critical care clinics
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Critical care clinics · Oct 2015
ReviewDiagnostic Criteria for Acute Kidney Injury: Present and Future.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical diagnosis guided by standard criteria based on changes in serum creatinine, urine output, or both. Severity of AKI is determined by the magnitude of increase in serum creatinine or decrease in urine output. ⋯ Short- and long-term outcomes are worse when patients have some stage of AKI by both criteria. New biomarkers for AKI may substantially aid in the risk assessment and evaluation of patients at risk for AKI.
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In the general hospital setting, approximately 15% of inpatients sustain an episode of acute kidney injury (AKI) but in the critical care environment this can increase to over 25%. An episode of AKI increases the risk for both future chronic kidney disease and associated cardiovascular complications. Discharge of patients who have suffered a renal insult resulting in AKI should include consideration of longer-term follow-up, which may require nephrology input. This increase in health care burden and economic costs may be quantified and justifies the need to develop robust quality-improvement projects aimed at AKI prevention, identification, and improved management.
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Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is a cornerstone in the clinical management of patients with acute kidney injury. Results from different studies agree that early renal support therapy (aimed to support the residual kidney function during early phases of organ dysfunction) may reduce mortality with respect to late RRT (aimed to substitute the complete loss of function during the advanced kidney insufficiency). Although it seems plausible that a timely initiation of RRT may be associated with improved renal and nonrenal outcomes in these patients, there is scarce evidence in literature to exactly identify the most adequate onset timing for RRT.
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The range of intravenous fluids available for therapeutic use and the differing indications are diverse. A solid understanding of the composition of different types of fluids is essential to understanding the physiologic effects following administration and the appropriate clinical application. In this review, the authors describe the different fluids commonly available and discuss the potential benefits and harms depending on the clinical circumstances.
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Contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CAAKI) is a common iatrogenic condition. The principal risk factors for CAAKI are underlying renal impairment; diabetes in the setting of kidney disease; and intravascular volume depletion, effective or absolute. CAAKI is associated with serious adverse short-term and long-term outcomes, including mortality and more rapidly progressive chronic kidney disease, although the causal nature of these associations remains unproved. Patients with chronic kidney disease and other risk factors for CAAKI who present with acute coronary syndrome should undergo indicated angiographic procedures.