Acute Kidney Injury
Common in hospitalized patients, increasing in incidence,
and associated with adverse outcomes.
But, hard to identify.
Why AKI is Important
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a rapid loss of kidney function which typically happens as a complication of another serious illness or intervention. Because pain and other symptoms don’t usually occur, AKI can be difficult to identify, but to preserve kidney function it is essential that AKI is detected early and treated promptly.
Identification and management of AKI is important as it is associated with negative outcomes, including:
Longer length of hospital stayi,iv
Increased use of renal replacement therapyi
Prolonged time on mechanical ventilationi
Higher risk of 28 day mortalityi,ii,iii
There is no specific treatment for AKI, making rapid identification of patients who are at risk critical.
Classification Systems for AKI
The definition of AKI, previously known as acute renal failure (ARF), has evolved for nearly two decades, as clinicians have struggled to classify the condition.v Since 2004, guidelines to standardize the definition, risk assessment, evaluation, prevention, and treatment of AKI have evolved:
- Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function, and End-stage kidney disease: RIFLE (2004)
- Acute Kidney Injury Network: AKIN (2007)
- Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes Criteria: KDIGO (2012)
The current KDIGO definition and staging of AKI is summarized in the table below.
| KDIGO - Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stage | Serum Creatinine | Urine Output Criteria |
| One | 1.5–1.9 times baseline,
or ≥0.3 mg/dL increase | <0.5 mL/kg/h for 6-12h |
| Two | 2–2.9 times baseline | <0.5 mL/kg/h for ≥12h |
| Three | 3 times baseline, OR Increase in serum creatinine to ≥4 mg/dL, OR Initiation of renal replacement therapy | <0.3 mL/kg/h for ≥24h,
or anuria for ≥12h |
Unfortunately, while the classifications have changed, the tools available to help identify AKI have not evolved. This stands in sharp contrast to conditions such as Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), where physicians and patients have benefitted from the development of new biomarkers to aid in risk assessment and diagnosis.
Quick Links
The NKF is dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease for healthcare professionals, patients and their families, and those at risk.
Through education, research and advocacy, the ASN leads the fight to prevent, treat and cure kidney diseases globally.
KDIGO develops and implements evidence-based clinical practice guidelines in kidney disease.
Through its programs and services, the AKF helps people fight kidney disease and live healthier lives.
The SCCM is dedicated to promoting excellence and consistency in the practice of critical care.
The ADQI develops a consensus of opinion regarding acute renal failure best practices and articulates a research agenda to focus on unanswered questions.
A partnership between HHS & ASN, to accelerate innovation in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of kidney diseases.
A global campaign to raise awareness about the importance of our kidneys.
REFERENCES
i Kaddourah A, Basu RK, Bagshaw SM, Goldstein SL; AWARE Investigators. Epidemiology of Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Children and Young Adults. N Engl J Med. 2017;376(1):11–20.
ii Susantitaphong P, Cruz DN, Cerda J, et al. World incidence of AKI: a meta-analysis Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2013;8(9):1482–1493.
iii Murugan R, Kellum JA. Acute kidney injury: what’s the prognosis?. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2011;7(4):209–217.
ivVarnell CD Jr, Goldstein SL, Devarajan P, Basu RK. Impact of Near Real-Time Urine Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Assessment on Clinical Practice. Kidney Int Rep. 2017;2(6):1243–1249.
v Kellum JA1, Levin N, Bouman C, Lameire N. Developing a consensus classification system for acute renal failure. Curr Opin Crit Care. 2002 Dec;8(6):509-14.