Clinical and laboratory evaluation

Abstract

Early detection of the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and delineation of the cause(s) of this disorder are important to implement early therapy and perhaps reduce morbidity and mortality. The current reliance on measurements of serum creatinine to define and classify severity of AKI (RIFLE criteria) ensures that AKI will be diagnosed relatively late. Newer biomarkers offer promise to detect AKI in earlier stages than currently available tests but remain to be fully evaluated. A systematic approach to each patient with AKI is necessary to ensure that all causal events are identified and addressed. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.