Acute Kidney Injury 
Dr. Abhijit S. Nair 
Consultant Anesthesiologist, 
Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care, 
Citizens Hospital, Hyderabad
Topics covered: 
Definitions 
Pathophysiology in brief 
Special investigations 
Preventive strategies 
Approach
Definition 
“ Abrupt loss of kidney function, resulting in 
the retention of urea and other nitrogenous 
waste products and in the dysregulation of 
extracellular volume and electrolytes” 
> 30 definitions available in 
literature
NCEPOD Findings & Recommendations : 
FINDINGS: 
50% of cases with AKI documented as cause of 
death received satisfactory or good care 
30% of cases inadequately investigated and 
managed 
20% of post-admission AKI is predictable and 
avoidable (or hospital acquired AKI = HAAKI)
Recommendations: 
All emergency admissions should have 
electrolytes checked on admission and 
appropriately thereafter 
All acute admissions should receive adequate 
senior reviews, with consultant review within 12 
hours of admission 
Implementation of NICE guidance CG50
Why ? 
Associated with increased hospital stay, 
morbidity/ mortality , cost 
Preventable if detected & preventive measures 
taken 
Protocols should be implemented from ER level 
Reversible if identified & treated on time
Epidemiology: 
≈ 10 % in hospitalized patients 
≈70% in critically ill patients 
5-6% ICU patients require RRT
Beginning of definitions: 
ADQI ( 2002): To create consensus & evidence based 
guidelines for prevention & treatment of AKI 
BIRTH OF RIFLE CRITERIA 
3 grades: R,I,F 2 outcomes: L,E
RIFLE criteria for diagnosis of AKI based on The “Acute 
Dialysis Quality Initiative” ( 2002): 
Increase in SCr Urine output 
Risk of renal injury 
Injury to the kidney 
Failure of kidney 
function 
0.3 mg/dl increase 
2 X baseline 
3 X baseline OR 
> 0.5 mg/dl increase if 
SCr >=4 mg/dl 
< 0.5 ml/kg/hr for > 6 h 
< 0.5 ml/kg/hr for >12h 
Anuria for >12 h 
Loss of kidney 
function 
End-stage disease 
Persistent renal failure 
for > 4 weeks 
Persistent renal failure 
for > 3 months 
Am J Kidney Dis. 2005 Dec;46(6):1038-48
Definition of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) based 
on “Acute Kidney Injury Network” ( 2004 ): 
Stage Increase in Serum 
Creatinine 
Urine Output 
1 1.5-2 times baseline 
OR 
0.3 mg/dl increase from 
baseline 
<0.5 ml/kg/h for >6 h 
2 2-3 times baseline <0.5 ml/kg/h for >12 h 
3 3 times baseline 
OR 
0.5 mg/dl increase if 
baseline>4mg/dl 
OR 
Any RRT given 
<0.3 ml/kg/h for >24 h 
OR 
Anuria for >12 h
RIFLE vs AKIN: 
RIFLE: 7 days, AKIN: 48 hours 
AKIN doesn’t entertain GFR 
In AKIN: patient investigated after volume 
resuscitation and ruling out post renal obstruction 
Can determine outcome in RIFLE
KDIGO definition ( 2012 
) 
AKI is defined as any of the following : 
Increase in Creat by > 0.3 mg/dl (X26.5 mol/l) 
within 48 hours; or 
Increase in Creat to > 1.5 times baseline, which 
is known or presumed to have occurred within 
the prior 7 days; or 
Urine volume < 0.5 ml/kg/h for 6 hours
KDIGO staging: 
Stage Serum creatinine Urine output 
1 1.5-1.9× baseline 
OR 
>0.3 mg%  
<0.5 ml/kg/hr for 6-12 hrs 
2 2-2.9× baseline <0.5 ml/kg/hr > 12 hrs 
3 3 times baseline 
OR 
RRT 
OR 
< 18 yrs, GFR < 35 
ml/min for 1.73 m2 
<0.3 ml/kg/hr > 24 hrs 
OR 
Anuria > 12 hrs
Pathophysiology: 
Endothelial injury 
Nephrotoxins 
Deranged autoregulation 
Inflammatory mediators
Prerenal Azotemia : 
 Intravascular volume depletion 
bleeding, GI loss, Renal loss, Skin loss, Third space loss 
 Decreased cardiac output 
CHF 
 Renal vasoconstriction 
Liver Disease, Sepsis, Hypercalcemia 
 Pharmacologic impairment of autoregulation and 
GFR in specific settings 
ACE inhibitors, ARBs, NSAIDS, Aminoglycosides
Renal causes: 
Tubule: ATN ( ischemic, toxins) 
Interstitium: AIN ( Drug, infection, neoplasm) 
Glomerulus: AGN( primary, infection, 
rheumatologic, vasculitis) 
Vasculature: Embolic, livedo reticularis, 
eosinophiluria, hypocomplementemia
Mechanisms of acute kidney injury: a molecular viewpoint. 
Lattanzio M R , and Kopyt N P J Am Osteopath Assoc 
2009;109:13-19 
Published by American Osteopathic Association
General guidelines for differentiating the etiology of acute kidney injury (ie, prerenal vs renal) 
using laboratory studies. 
Lattanzio M R , and Kopyt N P J Am Osteopath Assoc 
2009;109:13-19 
Published by American Osteopathic Association
Urine analysis : 
 Unremarkable in pre and post renal causes 
 Differentiates ATN vs. AIN. vs. AGN 
Muddy brown casts in ATN 
WBC casts in AIN 
RBC casts in AGN
Can creatinine increase in 
absence of AKI? 
Inhibition of tubular secretion of creatinine: 
Trimethoprim, Cimetidine, Probenecid 
False elevation due to interference in lab: 
Fluocytosine, Ascorbic acid
NEW MARKERS OF 
AKI
NGAL: 
◦ Expressed in proximal and distal nephron 
◦ Binds and transports iron-carrying molecules 
◦ Role in injury and repair 
◦ Rises very early (hours) after injury in animals, 
confirmed in children having CPB 
Range: 
<20 ng/ml: considered normal 
>1200 ng/ml: HIGH
Cystatin C 
Better marker in early detection 
Not affected by age, gender, muscle mass, ethnicity 
Normal level: 0.5-1 mg/L 
Almost 100 times costly, compared to creatinine
IL-18: 
◦ Role in inflammation, activating macrophages and mediates 
ischemic renal injury 
◦ IL-18 antiserum to animals protects against ischemic AKI 
◦ Studied in several human models
KIM-1: 
◦ Epithelial transmembrane protein, ?cell-cell interaction. 
◦ Appears to have strong relationship with severity of renal 
injury
Initial assessment: 
History 
Medications including contrast 
RFT, CUE 
Volume status 
Color of urine 
ABG 
Imaging
Preventive strategies?
Role of ANP analogues in AKI? 
61 patients in 2 cardiothoracic ICU with post-op AKI 
assigned to receive recombinent ANP (50ng/kg/min) or 
placebo 
The need for RRT before day 21 after development of 
AKI was significantly lower in ANP group (21% vs 47%) 
The need for RRT or death after day 21 was 
significantly lower in ANP group (28% vs 57%) 
Crit Care Med. 2004 Jun;32(6):1310-5
Diuretic in AKI! 
Converts oliguric AKI into non-oliguric 
Psychological relief 
Better in volume resuscitated patients 
Not associated with improved survival or early 
recovery
Is there a role for Fenoldopam in prevention or 
treatment of AKI in ICU setting? 
 Dopamine-1 receptor agonist, lack of Dopamine-2, and 
alpha-1 receptor effect, make it a potentially safer drug 
than Dopamine! 
 Reduces in hospital mortality and the need for RRT in 
AKI 
 Reverses renal hypoperfusion more effectively than 
renal dose Dopamine 
 Studied in cardiothoracic ICU patients, awaiting more 
powered trials in other groups! 
J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2008 Feb;22(1):23-6. 
J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2007 Dec;21(6):847-50 
Am J Kidney Dis. 2007 Jan;40(1):56-68 
Crit Care Med. 2006 Mar;34(3):707-14
http://londonaki.net/ 
1.5 × creatinine or oliguria > 6 hrs: Medical emergency 
Fluids 
Monitoring 
Investigate 
“ STOP AKI”: Sepsis & hypoperfusion, 
Toxicity, Obstruction, Parenchymal kidney 
disease
NAC: 
Efficacy proven in CIN 
Not an alternative to IV hydration 
Protocols to be circulated to ER & Radiology 
department 
Should be given pre-exposure and to be 
continued 
Oral NAC had less bioavailability than IV
N acetyl cysteine
MEDLINE, OVID,EMBASE 
Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of 
Controlled Trials 
Conference proceedings from major cardiology 
and nephrology meetings 
Primary outcome: CIN 
Secondary outcomes : renal failure requiring 
dialysis, mortality, length of hospitalization
Results: 
Too inconsistent at present to warrant a 
conclusion on efficacy 
Large, well designed trials required
NAC & SEPSIS! 
Ineffective in reducing mortality & complications 
Can be harmful, even if started early
Erythropoeitin in AKI:
EPO- TBI trial :NCT00987454 
EPO-AKI is a sub study of the above trial 
AKI defined as per RIFLE 
HOW??! INDUCES HSP70 & prevents 
APOPTOSIS 
At present studied in cardiac surgery patients & 
heterogenous MICU patients 
Results awaited
Liver dysfunction & AKI: 
Volume responsive AKI 
Volume unresponsive AKI ( ATN ) 
HRS 
IV Albumin 40-60 GM/ day × 3-4 days: CIRRHOSIS
Management: 
Identify the cause 
Fluid optimization 
Vasopressor/ Vasodilators 
Management of hyperkalemia 
Management of acidosis, RRT 
CCB( in animals), Antidotes
Perioperative management: 
EUVOLEMIA!! 
IV volume replacement ( WHICH, HOW MUCH ? ) 
Acid base balance 
Avoid nephrotoxic drugs 
Foley’s 
MAP, CVP, Cardiac output 
Vasopressors 
Anticipation
Why aggressive in 
AKI ?
PLoS Med. Feb 2014; 11(2): 
e1001601. 
Survivors of RENAL study followed upto 4 years/ death 
Survivors had heavy burden of proteinuria 
Increased frequency of RRT 
Costly affair, poor quality of life
Further reading:
Acute kidney injury: Perioperative implications
Acute kidney injury: Perioperative implications
Acute kidney injury: Perioperative implications
Acute kidney injury: Perioperative implications

Acute kidney injury: Perioperative implications

  • 1.
    Acute Kidney Injury Dr. Abhijit S. Nair Consultant Anesthesiologist, Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care, Citizens Hospital, Hyderabad
  • 2.
    Topics covered: Definitions Pathophysiology in brief Special investigations Preventive strategies Approach
  • 3.
    Definition “ Abruptloss of kidney function, resulting in the retention of urea and other nitrogenous waste products and in the dysregulation of extracellular volume and electrolytes” > 30 definitions available in literature
  • 4.
    NCEPOD Findings &Recommendations : FINDINGS: 50% of cases with AKI documented as cause of death received satisfactory or good care 30% of cases inadequately investigated and managed 20% of post-admission AKI is predictable and avoidable (or hospital acquired AKI = HAAKI)
  • 5.
    Recommendations: All emergencyadmissions should have electrolytes checked on admission and appropriately thereafter All acute admissions should receive adequate senior reviews, with consultant review within 12 hours of admission Implementation of NICE guidance CG50
  • 6.
    Why ? Associatedwith increased hospital stay, morbidity/ mortality , cost Preventable if detected & preventive measures taken Protocols should be implemented from ER level Reversible if identified & treated on time
  • 7.
    Epidemiology: ≈ 10% in hospitalized patients ≈70% in critically ill patients 5-6% ICU patients require RRT
  • 8.
    Beginning of definitions: ADQI ( 2002): To create consensus & evidence based guidelines for prevention & treatment of AKI BIRTH OF RIFLE CRITERIA 3 grades: R,I,F 2 outcomes: L,E
  • 9.
    RIFLE criteria fordiagnosis of AKI based on The “Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative” ( 2002): Increase in SCr Urine output Risk of renal injury Injury to the kidney Failure of kidney function 0.3 mg/dl increase 2 X baseline 3 X baseline OR > 0.5 mg/dl increase if SCr >=4 mg/dl < 0.5 ml/kg/hr for > 6 h < 0.5 ml/kg/hr for >12h Anuria for >12 h Loss of kidney function End-stage disease Persistent renal failure for > 4 weeks Persistent renal failure for > 3 months Am J Kidney Dis. 2005 Dec;46(6):1038-48
  • 11.
    Definition of AcuteKidney Injury (AKI) based on “Acute Kidney Injury Network” ( 2004 ): Stage Increase in Serum Creatinine Urine Output 1 1.5-2 times baseline OR 0.3 mg/dl increase from baseline <0.5 ml/kg/h for >6 h 2 2-3 times baseline <0.5 ml/kg/h for >12 h 3 3 times baseline OR 0.5 mg/dl increase if baseline>4mg/dl OR Any RRT given <0.3 ml/kg/h for >24 h OR Anuria for >12 h
  • 12.
    RIFLE vs AKIN: RIFLE: 7 days, AKIN: 48 hours AKIN doesn’t entertain GFR In AKIN: patient investigated after volume resuscitation and ruling out post renal obstruction Can determine outcome in RIFLE
  • 13.
    KDIGO definition (2012 ) AKI is defined as any of the following : Increase in Creat by > 0.3 mg/dl (X26.5 mol/l) within 48 hours; or Increase in Creat to > 1.5 times baseline, which is known or presumed to have occurred within the prior 7 days; or Urine volume < 0.5 ml/kg/h for 6 hours
  • 14.
    KDIGO staging: StageSerum creatinine Urine output 1 1.5-1.9× baseline OR >0.3 mg%  <0.5 ml/kg/hr for 6-12 hrs 2 2-2.9× baseline <0.5 ml/kg/hr > 12 hrs 3 3 times baseline OR RRT OR < 18 yrs, GFR < 35 ml/min for 1.73 m2 <0.3 ml/kg/hr > 24 hrs OR Anuria > 12 hrs
  • 17.
    Pathophysiology: Endothelial injury Nephrotoxins Deranged autoregulation Inflammatory mediators
  • 18.
    Prerenal Azotemia :  Intravascular volume depletion bleeding, GI loss, Renal loss, Skin loss, Third space loss  Decreased cardiac output CHF  Renal vasoconstriction Liver Disease, Sepsis, Hypercalcemia  Pharmacologic impairment of autoregulation and GFR in specific settings ACE inhibitors, ARBs, NSAIDS, Aminoglycosides
  • 19.
    Renal causes: Tubule:ATN ( ischemic, toxins) Interstitium: AIN ( Drug, infection, neoplasm) Glomerulus: AGN( primary, infection, rheumatologic, vasculitis) Vasculature: Embolic, livedo reticularis, eosinophiluria, hypocomplementemia
  • 20.
    Mechanisms of acutekidney injury: a molecular viewpoint. Lattanzio M R , and Kopyt N P J Am Osteopath Assoc 2009;109:13-19 Published by American Osteopathic Association
  • 21.
    General guidelines fordifferentiating the etiology of acute kidney injury (ie, prerenal vs renal) using laboratory studies. Lattanzio M R , and Kopyt N P J Am Osteopath Assoc 2009;109:13-19 Published by American Osteopathic Association
  • 22.
    Urine analysis :  Unremarkable in pre and post renal causes  Differentiates ATN vs. AIN. vs. AGN Muddy brown casts in ATN WBC casts in AIN RBC casts in AGN
  • 23.
    Can creatinine increasein absence of AKI? Inhibition of tubular secretion of creatinine: Trimethoprim, Cimetidine, Probenecid False elevation due to interference in lab: Fluocytosine, Ascorbic acid
  • 24.
  • 26.
    NGAL: ◦ Expressedin proximal and distal nephron ◦ Binds and transports iron-carrying molecules ◦ Role in injury and repair ◦ Rises very early (hours) after injury in animals, confirmed in children having CPB Range: <20 ng/ml: considered normal >1200 ng/ml: HIGH
  • 28.
    Cystatin C Bettermarker in early detection Not affected by age, gender, muscle mass, ethnicity Normal level: 0.5-1 mg/L Almost 100 times costly, compared to creatinine
  • 29.
    IL-18: ◦ Rolein inflammation, activating macrophages and mediates ischemic renal injury ◦ IL-18 antiserum to animals protects against ischemic AKI ◦ Studied in several human models
  • 30.
    KIM-1: ◦ Epithelialtransmembrane protein, ?cell-cell interaction. ◦ Appears to have strong relationship with severity of renal injury
  • 31.
    Initial assessment: History Medications including contrast RFT, CUE Volume status Color of urine ABG Imaging
  • 32.
  • 33.
    Role of ANPanalogues in AKI? 61 patients in 2 cardiothoracic ICU with post-op AKI assigned to receive recombinent ANP (50ng/kg/min) or placebo The need for RRT before day 21 after development of AKI was significantly lower in ANP group (21% vs 47%) The need for RRT or death after day 21 was significantly lower in ANP group (28% vs 57%) Crit Care Med. 2004 Jun;32(6):1310-5
  • 34.
    Diuretic in AKI! Converts oliguric AKI into non-oliguric Psychological relief Better in volume resuscitated patients Not associated with improved survival or early recovery
  • 35.
    Is there arole for Fenoldopam in prevention or treatment of AKI in ICU setting?  Dopamine-1 receptor agonist, lack of Dopamine-2, and alpha-1 receptor effect, make it a potentially safer drug than Dopamine!  Reduces in hospital mortality and the need for RRT in AKI  Reverses renal hypoperfusion more effectively than renal dose Dopamine  Studied in cardiothoracic ICU patients, awaiting more powered trials in other groups! J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2008 Feb;22(1):23-6. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2007 Dec;21(6):847-50 Am J Kidney Dis. 2007 Jan;40(1):56-68 Crit Care Med. 2006 Mar;34(3):707-14
  • 37.
    http://londonaki.net/ 1.5 ×creatinine or oliguria > 6 hrs: Medical emergency Fluids Monitoring Investigate “ STOP AKI”: Sepsis & hypoperfusion, Toxicity, Obstruction, Parenchymal kidney disease
  • 38.
    NAC: Efficacy provenin CIN Not an alternative to IV hydration Protocols to be circulated to ER & Radiology department Should be given pre-exposure and to be continued Oral NAC had less bioavailability than IV
  • 39.
  • 40.
    MEDLINE, OVID,EMBASE Webof Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials Conference proceedings from major cardiology and nephrology meetings Primary outcome: CIN Secondary outcomes : renal failure requiring dialysis, mortality, length of hospitalization
  • 41.
    Results: Too inconsistentat present to warrant a conclusion on efficacy Large, well designed trials required
  • 42.
    NAC & SEPSIS! Ineffective in reducing mortality & complications Can be harmful, even if started early
  • 43.
  • 44.
    EPO- TBI trial:NCT00987454 EPO-AKI is a sub study of the above trial AKI defined as per RIFLE HOW??! INDUCES HSP70 & prevents APOPTOSIS At present studied in cardiac surgery patients & heterogenous MICU patients Results awaited
  • 45.
    Liver dysfunction &AKI: Volume responsive AKI Volume unresponsive AKI ( ATN ) HRS IV Albumin 40-60 GM/ day × 3-4 days: CIRRHOSIS
  • 46.
    Management: Identify thecause Fluid optimization Vasopressor/ Vasodilators Management of hyperkalemia Management of acidosis, RRT CCB( in animals), Antidotes
  • 47.
    Perioperative management: EUVOLEMIA!! IV volume replacement ( WHICH, HOW MUCH ? ) Acid base balance Avoid nephrotoxic drugs Foley’s MAP, CVP, Cardiac output Vasopressors Anticipation
  • 48.
  • 49.
    PLoS Med. Feb2014; 11(2): e1001601. Survivors of RENAL study followed upto 4 years/ death Survivors had heavy burden of proteinuria Increased frequency of RRT Costly affair, poor quality of life
  • 50.

Editor's Notes

  • #21 Mechanisms of acute kidney injury: a molecular viewpoint. Cascade of events involved in the pathophysiology of acute kidney injury. (Copyright 2004 by American Society for Clinical Investigation. Reproduced with permission of American Society for Clinical Investigation. J Clin Invest. 2004;114:8.18)‏
  • #22 General guidelines for differentiating the etiology of acute kidney injury (ie, prerenal vs renal) using laboratory studies.