Acute kidney injury in critically ill cirrhotic patients: a review

Ann Hepatol. 2012 May-Jun;11(3):301-10.

Abstract

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important marker of morbidity and mortality in critically ill cirrhotic patients. The most common causes of AKI in cirrhotic patients include prerenal or hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). Diagnosis of AKI may be delayed by the lack of clinical, biochemical, and radiological markers with proven sensitivity and specificity in cirrhotic patients. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapies for AKI in cirrhotic patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / diagnosis
  • Acute Kidney Injury / epidemiology*
  • Acute Kidney Injury / physiopathology*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Comorbidity
  • Critical Illness / epidemiology*
  • Cystatin C / blood
  • Humans
  • Kidney / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Cirrhosis / epidemiology*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / physiopathology
  • Renal Replacement Therapy
  • Ultrasonography
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cystatin C
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents