Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

by Amy Sussman, MD

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined (as the name suggests) by an acute and usually reversible reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a measure of kidney function. Often a decline in urine output may be the only sign of AKI, as often, a patient’s blood urea nitrogen level may not be elevated immediately after the renal insult. AKI can result in accumulation of electrolytes like sodium and potassium as well as water and other metabolic products, the sequelae of which can be deadly.

AKI is very common, and you will without a doubt see it regularly if you work with hospitalized patients. It can be seen in a large percentage of hospital and ICU admissions. There is no clear standard drop in GFR that defines an AKI, though several groups have proposed guidelines that have been used in previous studies.

Early recognition of AKI is critical, as the treatment is often aimed at correcting the underlying cause, whether it is prerenal (such as dehydration), intrarenal (such as a medication toxicity), or postrenal (such as severe prostatic hyperplasia obstructing outflow). It is crucial to use clinical judgment to determine the etiology, as administering incorrect treatment may result in significant complications.

Course Details

  • Videos 20
  • Duration 1:34 h
  • Quiz questions 47
  • Concept Pages 4

Content

Your Educators of course Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

 Amy Sussman, MD

Amy Sussman, MD

Dr. Amy Sussman is an Associate Professor of Medicine and the Vice Chair of Education in the Department of Medicine of the University of Arizona (UA), USA.
She obtained her MD from the University of Arizona in 2001 and completed residency and a Nephrology Fellowship at the University of Washington. Dr. Sussman was recruited back to the UA in 2009 and also serves as her department's clerkship director, and as the program director of the UA Nephrology Fellowship.
Because of her strong emphasis on medical student teaching, she has been distinguished with multiple teaching awards in the UA College of Medicine.
Within Lecturio, Dr. Sussman teaches courses on Nephrology.


User reviews

(31)
4,8 of 5 stars
5 Stars
29
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1  Star
1
 
Very throughout and professional lecture
By Tomas9A11 . on 18. February 2024 for Acute Tubular Necrosis: Pathophysiology and Causes – AKI

Amazing. Very detailed and clear explanation. Thank you very much!!

 
Great lecture. The information is clear and concise. The teacher builds on previous information which makes grasping new concept
By kevinbartolomeu23@gmail.com k. on 04. November 2023 for Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): General Approach

Great lecture. The information is clear and concise. The teacher builds on previous information which makes grasping new concepts easier.

 
Amazing beyond words
By Bruno F. on 14. July 2023 for Vascular Disease: Causes – AKI

I did not know it was possible to teach so well as Dr. Sussman does. Even though nephrology is my least favorite part of internal medicine, it is so well explained that I actually enjoy learning it. This lecture, like all others, is so masterfully organized and explained that I can easily process the concepts and correlate them with everything else I have learned so far.

 
Lack of depth.
By Ali J. on 25. April 2023 for Renal Case: 56-year-old Man with Coronary Angiography

When was it mentioned that a ratio of 15:1 is suggestive of tubular injury? I don't think this lecture give enough information to us to specifically call this a ATN. Confusing.