Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury: pathophysiology and diagnostic modalities and management

Acute kidney injury is a disease spectrum that can present with from mild renal dysfunction to complete renal failure that would require renal replacement therapy. Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury is a complication that carries a grave disease burden. Risk factors are identified as being either modifiable or non-modifiable. This literature review aims to define the pathophysiology of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury, the current definition and classification of acute kidney injury and the available diagnostic modalities, especially the use of biomarkers.