Abstract
Acute kidney injury is generally defi ned as a condition characterised by the rapid loss of the kidney's excretory function with a decline of the glomerular fi ltration rate and is typically dia gnosed by the accumulation of the end products of nitrogen metabolism or decreased urine output, or both. It is the clinical manifestation of a number of disorders that can aff ect the kidney acutely.
Acute kidney injury is common in hospital patients and very common in critically ill patients, and is often secondary to extrarenal causes. New dia gnostic techniques including renal bio markers may help with early dia gnosis.
No specifi c therapies have emerged that can attenuate acute kidney injury or expedite recovery; thus, treatment is supportive. Patients are given renal replacement therapy if acute kidney injury is severe and bio chemical or volume-related, or if uraemic-toxaemia-related complications are of concern.
Patients typically recover to dialysis independence. However, evidence suggests that patients who have had acute kidney injury are at increased risk of subsequent chronic kidney disease.
In general, acute kidney injury is associated with serious and far-reaching consequences not only for the patient (dialysis dependence, increased morbidity and mortality), but it also has signifi cant economic implications for the health system.