Perioperative acute kidney injury

Abstract

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is afrequent complication in the perioperative period and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. AKI is an independent risk factor for adverse outcome. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) guidelines define AKI based on increases in serum creatinine and/or urinary output. Since there is no causal therapy available, early detection and timely implementation of preventive measures are of particular importance. This article gives an overview of the disease picture of perioperative AKI. The recommendations on diagnostics, prevention and treatment are presented. The available evidence is summarized based on the currently available literature. New renal biomarkers demonstrate kidney stress and are able to make an early prediction of the development of AKI. The implementation of the KDIGO bundles (discontinuation of all nephrotoxic medications, optimization of the volume status and perfusion pressure, consideration of an extended functional hemodynamic monitoring, close monitoring of serum creatinine concentration and urine output, avoidance of hyperglycemia and consideration of alternatives to radiocontrast agents) and remote ischemic preconditioning have shown a significant reduction in the incidence of AKI in high-risk patients. For timely diagnosis and prevention of AKI the recommendations for action of the KDIGO guidelines should be implemented. High-risk patients should be detected early in the perioperative period in order to be able to initiate preemptive strategies in a timely manner.