Abstract

AN OVERVIEW OF ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY

Prabina Priyan*, Sumi James, Sherly Eapen and Dr. Santhosh M. Mathews

ABSTRACT

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical syndrome that complicates the course and worsens the outcome in a significant number of hospitalized patients. Recent advances in clinical and basic research will help with a more accurate definition of this syndrome and in the elucidation of its pathogenesis. Other than dialysis, no therapeutic interventions reliably improve survival, limit injury, or speed recovery. This type of injury occurs in approximately 20% of hospitalized patients, with major complications including volume overload, electrolyte disorders, uremic complications, and drug toxicity. With this knowledge we will be able to conduct more accurate epidemiologic studies in an effort to gain a better understanding of the impact of this syndrome. AKI is a syndrome that rarely has a sole and distinct pathophysiology. Management includes specific treatments according to the underlying cause and supportive treatment to prevent and manage complications. Early diagnosis of AKI provides a critical therapeutic time window for AKI treatment to prevent progression to chronic renal failure. In recent years, the early diagnosis of AKI has made great progress with the advancement of information technology, nanotechnology, and biomedicine.

Keywords: Acute kidney injury, Epidemiology, Etiology, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis.