Acute kidney failure is an important clinical area in the intensive care unit setting. An estimated 520% of critically ill patients experience an episode of acute kidney failure during the course of their illness, and about 5% of patients admitted to an ICU will eventually require renal replacement therapy. In these patients, in-hospital mortality is extremely high, exceeding 50%. Thus, the early detection and causal treatment of acute kidney problems is vitally important for a successful outcome. Written by internationally renowned experts, this clinical reference offers helpful advice with the most recent information on the definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical causes of acute kidney failure as a fundamental prerequisite for prevention of this disorder. Moreover, it also covers differential diagnostic approaches for patients with acute renal failure and provides a detailed outline of important measures for their clinical management. Finally, separate chapters are dedicated to various key aspects related to the adequate delivery of acute renal replacement therapy. It is intended as a helpful guide for all clinicians involved in the care of patients at risk of developing acute kidney problems.

Definition and Classification of Acute Kidney Failure.- Definition and Classification of Acute Kidney Injury.- Overview of Pathophysiology, Etiology and Epidemiology.- Mechanisms of Acute Kidney Injury and Repair.- Uremic Toxins.- Prerenal Acute Kidney Failure.- Intrinsic Acute Kidney Injury.- Urinary Tract Obstruction.- Epidemiology of Acute Kidney Injury.- Economic Impact of Acute Kidney Failure.- Diagnostic Evaluation and Procedures.- Clinical and Laboratory Evaluation.- Kidney Function Tests and Urinalysis.- Renal Ultrasound.- Management of Acute Kidney Problems: Indications for Renal Biopsy in Acute Renal Disease.- Prevention and Conservative Therapy of Acute Kidney Failure.- Volume Resuscitation and Management.- Management of Electrolyte Disorders.- AcidBase Balance.- Monitoring and Management of Systemic Hemodynamics.- Treatment of Anemia.- Metabolic Alterations and Nutrition in AKI.- Glucose, Insulin, and the Kidney.- Bleeding and Hemostasis.- Neurological Problems.- Gastrointestinal Complications of Acute Kidney Injury.- Cardiovascular Complications of Acute Kidney Injury.- Acute Kidney Injury: Specific Interventions and Drugs.- Drug Dosing in Acute Kidney Injury and During Renal Replacement Therapy.- Anesthesia in Patients with Kidney Failure.- Long-term Outcome of Acute Kidney Failure.- Long-Term Outcome of Acute Kidney Injury.- Diagnosis and Management of Specific Disorders.- Acute Kidney Injury in Sepsis.- Kidney in Acute Heart Failure and Cardiogenic Shock.- Acute Kidney Problems in Congestive Heart Failure.- Hepatorenal Syndrome.- Malignant Hypertension.- Toxic Nephropathy Due to Drugs and Poisons.- Toxic Nephropathy Due to Radiocontrast Media.- Acute Glomerulonephritis, Vasculitis, and Pulmonary Renal Syndrome.- Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome/ThromboticThrombocytopenic Purpura.- Acute Tubulointerstitial Nephritis.- Myoglobinuric Acute Kidney Failure.- Tropical Infections and Acute Kidney Injury.- AIDS and Acute Kidney Failure.- Acute Kidney Injury in Oncological Disorders and Tumor Lysis Syndrome.- Kidney Failure Following Cardiovascular Surgery.- Burns and Acute Kidney Failure.- Acute Kidney Transplant Failure.- Acute Kidney Failure During Pregnancy and Postpartum.- Acute Kidney Failure in Children.- Temporary Replacement of Kidney Function.- Indications to Start Kidney Replacement Therapy.- Principles of Extracorporeal Therapy: Haemodialysis, Haemofiltration and Haemodiafiltration.- Membranes for Dialysis and Hemofiltration.- Dialysates and Substitution Fluids.- Intermittent Hemodialysis.- Continuous Renal Replacement Therapies.- Extended Daily Dialysis.- Quantifying the Dose of Acute Kidney Replacement Therapy.- Anticoagulation for Acute Dialysis.- Vascular Access for Acute Dialysis.- Principles and Practice of Acute Peritoneal Dialysis.- Choosing a Therapy Modality for Acute Renal Replacement Therapy.- Acute Kidney Replacement Therapy in Children.- Stopping Acute Kidney Replacement Therapy.- Extracorporeal Therapies for Non-Renal Indications.- Extracorporeal Therapies and Immunomodulation During Sepsis.- Extracorporeal Liver Support.- Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs and Toxins.