Acute kidney injury in trauma patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review epidemiology and pathophysiology of acute kidney injury (AKI) in trauma patients and propose strategies that aim at preventing AKI after trauma. RECENT FINDINGS: AKI in trauma patients has been reported to be as frequent as 50% with an association to a prolonged length of stay and a raise in mortality. Among the specific risk factors encountered in trauma patients, hemorrhagic shock, rhabdomyolysis severity, age, and comorbidities are independently associated with AKI occurrence. Resuscitation with balanced solutes seems to have beneficial effects on renal outcome compared with NaCl 0.9%, particularly in the context of rhabdomyolysis. However, randomized clinical studies are needed to confirm this signal. Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is rare but has to be diagnosed to initiate a dedicated therapy. SUMMARY: The high incidence of AKI in trauma patients should lead to early identification of those at risk of AKI to establish a resuscitation strategy that aims at preventing AKI.