Cardiac Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury

Cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI) is a common and important occurrence. It often leads to a cascade of adverse events. It increases the time taken for recovery post-surgery, increases the need for renal replacement therapy, and worsens long-term prognosis. Mere biomarker-positive but creatinine-negative renal injury is consequential and associated with increased risk of complications. Early detection of renal injury and adoption of protective strategies make up the cornerstones of management and improves outcomes. This includes a more molecular approach so as to detect kidney stress, damage, and finally functional loss. Renal replacement therapy forms the bedrock of management strategies to treat CSA-AKI. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.