Dialysis in the acute setting

Abstract

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequently encountered in the hospital setting. It may be present on admission or may develop during the hospital stay. Early and consistent recognition of AKI has been a challenge. This has led to the development of RIFLE and AKIN criteria for the definition of AKI. Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) defines AKI as an abrupt (within 48 hours), absolute increase in the serum creatinine concentration of [greater than or equal to]0.3 mg/dL from baseline; a percentage increase in the serum creatinine concentration of [greater than or equal to]50 percent; or oliguria of [less than]0.5 mL/kg per hour for more than six hours. Additionally, the definition should be applied after volume resuscitation and exclusion of urinary tract obstruction if oliguria was used as the sole criterion[1].