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Acute kidney injury & COVID-19What is acute kidney injury (AKI)?Acute kidney injury (AKI), also known as acute renal failure (ARF), is a sudden episode of kidney failure or kidney damage that happens within a few hours or a few days. AKI causes a build-up of waste products in your blood and makes it hard for your kidneys to keep the right balance of fluid in your body. AKI can also affect other organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs. Acute kidney injury is common in patients who are in the hospital, in intensive care units, and especially in older adults. What are the signs and symptoms of acute kidney injury?Signs and symptoms of acute kidney injury differ depending on the cause and may include:
In some cases, AKI causes no symptoms and is only found through other tests done by your healthcare provider. What causes acute kidney injury?Acute kidney injury can have many different causes. AKI can be caused by the following: Decreased blood flow Some diseases and conditions can slow blood flow to your kidneys and cause AKI. These diseases and conditions include:
Direct Damage to the Kidneys Some disease and conditions can damage your kidneys and lead to AKI. Some examples include:
Blockage of the urinary tract In some people, conditions or diseases can block the passage of urine out of the body and can lead to AKI. Blockage can be caused by:
What tests are done to find out if I have acute kidney injury? Depending on the cause of your acute kidney injury, your healthcare provider will run different tests if he or she suspects that you may have AKI. It is important that AKI is found as soon as possible because it can lead to chronic kidney disease, or even kidney failure. It may also lead to heart disease or death. The following tests may be done:
What is the treatment for acute kidney injury? Treatment for AKI usually requires you to stay in a hospital. Most people with acute kidney injury are already in the hospital for another reason. How long you will stay in the hospital depends on the cause of your AKI and how quickly your kidneys recover. In more serious cases, dialysis may be needed to help replace kidney function until your kidneys recover. The main goal of your healthcare provider is to treat what is causing your acute kidney injury. Your healthcare provider will work to treat all of your symptoms and complications until your kidneys recover. After having AKI, your chances are higher for other health problems (such as kidney disease, stroke, heart disease) or having AKI again in the future. The chances for developing kidney disease and kidney failure increase every time AKI occurs. To protect yourself, you should follow up with your healthcare provider to keep track of your kidney function and recovery. The best ways to lower your chances of having kidney damage and to save kidney function are to prevent acute kidney injury or to find and treat it as early as possible. Last Reviewed: 08/11/2022 What medications should be avoided with acute kidney injury?All drugs which block renal excretion of potassium (trimethoprin and potassium sparing diuretics (spironolactone, amiloride) should be stopped. In addition, both beta-blockers and digoxin can inhibit the sodium / potassium ATPase pumps which move potassium inside cells.
How can acute kidney be prevented?Measures such as adequate hydration, maintenance of adequate circulating blood volume and mean arterial pressure, and avoidance of nephrotoxins are still the mainstay of prevention.
What is the main treatment goal of acute kidney failure?2 Treatment goals in patients with AKI include: preservation and optimization of renal function; correction and maintenance of electrolyte, acid-base, and mineral homeostasis; minimize secondary organ damage from the consequences of AKI; and manage effects of decreased renal function.
What 2 risk factors put a patient at risk for acute kidney injury?Diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading risk factors for kidney disease in the U.S. If you have any of these risk factors, ask your doctor how often they should check how well your kidneys are working and look for signs of kidney disease.
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