Biomarkers : biochemical indicators of exposure, response, and susceptibility to chemicals
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Acute kidney injury (AKI) represents a common serious clinical problem. Up to date mortality due to AKI, especially in intensive care units, has not been changed significantly over the past 50 years. This is partly due to a delay in initiating renal protective and appropriate therapeutic measures since until now there are no reliable early-detecting biomarkers. The gold standard, serum creatinine, displays poor specificity and sensitivity with regard to recognition of the early period of AKI. ⋯ Adequately powered clinical trials testing a row of biomarkers are warranted before they may qualify for full adoption in clinical practice.