Renal Replacement Therapy in Acute Kidney Injury: Indication, Proper Initiation, and Prescription

Despite substantial advances in dialytic techniques and machines, acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) is associated with up to 60% in-hospital mortality. But, there is no full detail of definite RRT to overcome the significant morbidity and mortality of AKI. What is most important in the treatment for AKI is that RRT is not a cause-specific therapy but a life-supportive management. This review discusses the indications of, proper initiation of, and optimal prescription for RRT to improve the survival of the patients with AKI. (Korean J Med 2012;82:17-21) Keywords: Renal replacement therapy; Acute kidney injury 중심 단어: 대치 요법; 급성 ì‹ ì†ìƒ