Prevention and management of acute kidney injury in the perioperative patient

Acute kidney injury does not just describe a set of abnormal blood results, it is a medical emergency and biomarker of acute illness. It is a common and costly surgical complication, increasing perioperative morbidity and mortality. Key to managing these patients successfully and reducing the massive burden AKI and its sequelae has on the NHS is rapid identification and intervention, not just of patients who have developed AKI but also those at risk. Once identified, robust strategies must be in place to ensure appropriate treatment, identification and treatment of underlying causes, escalation of care and specialist referral if indicated, take place promptly.