AKI Flashcards
what is AKI?
term used to encompass the entire scope of the syndrome.
ranging from a slight deterioration in kidney function to severe impairment
what is AKI characterized by?
a rapid loss of kidney function
the loss of kidney function is accompanied by what?
a rise in serum creatinine and/or a reduction in urine output
AKI can develop over how long? with progressive elevations of what?
- hours or days
- blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and potassium with or without a reduction in urine output
what is azotemia?
accumulation of nitrogenous waste products (urea nitrogen, creatinine) in the blood
compare/contrast: onset of AKI vs CKD
AKI: sudden
CKD: gradual, often over many years
compare/contrast: most common cause of AKI vs CKD
AKI: acute tubular necrosis (ATN)
CKD: diabetic nephropathy
compare/contrast diagnostic criteria AKI vs CKD
AKI: acute reduction in urine output AND/OR elevation in serum creatinine
CKD: GFR <60mL/min for >3 months AND/OR kidney damage >3 months
compare/contrast reversibility AKI vs CKD
AKI: potentially reversible
CKD: progressive and irreversible
compare/contrast: primary cause of death AKI vs CKD
AKI: infection
CKD: CVD
what are causes of PRERENAL AKI?
factors that reduce systemic circulation, causing a reduction in renal blood flow
prerenal: the decrease in blood flow leads to decreased what?
glomerular perfusion and filtration of the kidneys
in prerenal oliguria, there is no damage to what?
no damage to the kidney tissue (parenchyma).
what is prerenal oliguria caused by? what are some examples?
a decrease in circulating blood volume (e.g., severe dehydration, HF, decreased CO)
T/F: prerenal oligura is reversible
TRUE :) with appropriate treatment!
prerenal: with a decrease in circulating blood volume, what tries to preserve blood flow to essential organs? (4 things)
autoregulatory mechanisms that increase angiotensin II, aldosterone, norepinephrine, and antidiuretic hormone
what does prerenal azotemia result in?
a reduction in sodium excretion (less than 20mEq/L), increased sodium and water retention, and decreased urine output
what do prerenal conditions contribute to?
intrarenal AKI. if decreased perfusion persists for an extended time, the kidneys lose their ability to compensate and damage to kidney parenchyma occurs
what causes INTRARENAL AKI?
conditions that cause direct damage to the kidney tissue, resulting in impaired nephron function
what does the damage from intrarenal causes result from?
prolonged ischemia, nephrotoxins (e.g., aminoglycoside antibiotics, contrast media), hemoglobin released from hemolyzed RBCs, or myoglobin released from necrotic muscle cells.
nephrotoxins cause ___ of intrarenal structures by crystallizing or causing damage to the epithelial cells of the tubules?
obstruction
intrarenal: hemoglobin and myoglobin can block the tubules and cause ___ ___
renal vasoconstriction
intrarenal: what kidney diseases cause AKI?
acute gomerulonephritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
what is the most common intrarenal cause of AKI in hospitalized pts?
acute tubular necrosis (ATN)
Acute tubular necrosis is primarily the result of what?
ischemia, nephrotoxin, or sepsis
what % if intrarenal AKI cases are ischemic and nephrotoxic ATN responsible for?
90%
what causes a disruption in the basement membrane and patchy destruction of the tubular epithelium?
severe kidney ischemia
what do nephrotoxic agents cause in tubular epithelial cells?
necrosis of tubular epithelial cells, which slough off and plug the tubules
what happens with the flow of urine being obstructed?
urine refluxes into the renal pelvis, impairing kidney function
what are risks associated with developing ATN while in the hospital? (5 answers)
major surgery, shock, blood transfusion reaction, muscle injury from trauma, and prolonged hypotension
is ATN reversible?
ATN is potentially reversible if the basement membrane is not destroyed and the tubular epithelium regenerates
what are the most common postrenal causes of AKI? (5 answers)
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, stones/calculi, trauma, and external tumors
what is the main/broad cause of postrenal AKI?
mechanical obstruction in the outflow of urine
what does bilateral ureteral obstruction lead to? resulting in what?
hydronephrosis (kidney dilation, increase in hydrostatic pressure, and tubular blockage. resulting in a progressive decline in kidney function
what develops if a pt does not recover from AKI?
CKD
what is the most common initial manifestation of AKI? when does it usually occur?
oliguria = urine output <400mL/day, occurs within 1-7 days of injury to kidneys
RIFLE classification: GFR criteria and urine output criteria for RISK
GFR: Serum creatinine increased × 1.5 OR GFR decreased by 25%
Urine: Urine output <0.5mL/kg/hr for 6hr
RIFLE classification: GFR and Urine criteria for INJURY
GFR: Serum creatinine increased × 2 OR GFR decreased by 50%
Urine: Urine output <0.5mL/kg/hr for 12hr
RIFLE classification: GFR and Urine criteria for FAILURE
GFR: Serum creatinine increased × 3
OR GFR decreased by 75%
OR Serum creatinine >4 mg/dL with acute rise ≥0.5 mg/dL
Urine: Urine output <0.3mL/kg/hr for 24hr (oliguria) OR Anuria for 12 hr
RIFLE classification: GFR and Urine criteria for LOSS
GFR: Persistent acute kidney failure. Complete loss of kidney function >4wk
Urine: —
RIFLE classification: GFR and Urine criteria for End-stage renal disease
GFR: Complete loss of kidney function >3mo
Urine: —
what makes the initial diagnosis of AKI more difficult?
nonoliguric patients