[Cardiac surgery associated acute kidney injury]

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common postoperative complication of cardiac surgery and the second most common cause of this syndrome in the intensive care units. The etiology is multifactorial and related to the surgery itself, as well as to intra- and postoperative management. To date, there is scarce evidence supporting specific measures to prevent AKI in this clinical situation, and whether the patients may benefit from early institution of some pharmacologic agents or early renal replacement therapy initiation. Further studies are essential to determine how to optimize cardiac surgical procedures and intra- and postoperative management.