Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiac Surgery

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs frequently after cardiac surgery and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Although the number of cardiac surgical procedures is constantly growing worldwide, incidence of cardiac surgery–associated AKI is still around 40% and has a significant impact on global health care costs. Numerous trials attempted to identify strategies to prevent AKI and attenuate its detrimental consequences. Effective options remained elusive. Current evidence supports a multimodal risk-stratification approach with biomarker-guided management of high-risk patients, perioperative administration of dexmedetomidine, and implementation of a care bundle as recommended by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes group.