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Published on: November 3, 2023
Acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery: prevalence, impact and management challenges
M Vives1, A Hernandez2, F Parramon3
1Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care, Clinical Research Lead, Hospital Universitari Dr Josep Trueta, Universitat de Girona, Institut d´Investigació Biomédica de Girona (IDIBGI), Girona, Spain.
Insights
Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is a significant concern, increasing patient morbidity and mortality. This review examines CSA-AKI definitions, mechanisms, risk factors, and protective strategies.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Perioperative Medicine
Background:
- Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical complication following cardiac surgery.
- Perioperative AKI significantly elevates short-term morbidity, treatment costs, and long-term mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the definition, pathophysiology, and clinical course of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI).
- To identify diverse mechanisms and risk factors contributing to renal insult in CSA-AKI.
- To scrutinize promising renal protective strategies and discuss novel diagnostic biomarkers for AKI.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of well-designed studies on CSA-AKI.
- Analysis of current theories on CSA-AKI pathophysiology.
- Discussion of diagnostic tools, including novel biomarkers.
Main Results:
- CSA-AKI presents diverse mechanisms and risk factors.
- Several renal protective strategies show promise.
- Novel biomarkers may aid in AKI diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Understanding CSA-AKI's multifaceted nature is crucial for effective management.
- Proactive renal protection and advanced diagnostics are key to improving outcomes after cardiac surgery.
Abstract:
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major medical problem that is of particular concern after cardiac surgery. Perioperative AKI is independently associated with an increase in short-term morbidity, costs of treatment, and long-term mortality. In this review, we explore the definition of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) and identify diverse mechanisms and risk factors contributing to the renal insult. Current theories of the pathophysiology of CSA-AKI and description of its clinical course will be addressed in this review. Data on the most promising renal protective strategies in cardiac surgery, from well-designed studies, will be scrutinized. Furthermore, diagnostic tools such as novel biomarkers of AKI and their potential utility will be discussed.
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