Objectives This chapter will: 1. Describe the role of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) as risk factors of renal impairment in everyday clinical practice. 2. Describe the role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and ARBs in the…
Objectives This chapter will: 1. Detail the pathophysiology of ischemia/reperfusion injury and hypothermic protection described in experimental evidence. 2. Discuss the limitations of animal models. 3. Describe three clinical scenarios in which hypothermia is used in clinical settings of ischemia…
Objectives This chapter will: 1. Highlight some of the challenges inherent to studies of acute kidney injury (AKI). 2. Discuss the different renal and nonrenal end points in AKI trials. 3. Discuss methods to improve study outcomes in AKI intervention…
Objectives This chapter will: 1. Discuss acute kidney injury as a frequent complication in patients with sepsis that is associated with a high risk of mortality. 2. Review our current understanding of the pathophysiology of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury, highlighting…
Objectives This chapter will: 1. Describe the issues with and treatment options for critical care patients with anemia. 2. Discuss the risks and benefits of transfusions versus erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) treatment. 3. Present results of clinical trials of critical care…
Objectives This chapter will: 1. Review the mechanism of action, indications, biologic effects, and complications associated with statin treatment. 2. Discuss the role of statin treatment in chronic kidney disease patients. 3. Examine the evidence for statin use in patients…
Objectives This chapter will: 1. Discuss the mechanisms of the renal toxicity related to heavy metals exposure. 2. Describe the clinical features of poisoning by heavy metals. 3. Analyze the therapeutic approaches to heavy metal intoxication. Heavy metals are chemical…
Objectives This chapter will: 1. Review the effects of environment injury, smoking, and obesity in the critical ill. 2. Unravel the main pathophysiologic mechanisms of these effects. 3. Suggest preventive and therapeutic measures. Environment The kidney is especially vulnerable to…
Objectives This chapter will: 1. Define complementary and alternative medicine. 2. Present general treatment principles of Chinese herbal medicine. 3. Provide an overview of mechanisms of nephrotoxicity with exposure to alternative medicine, with specific examples of herb-related nephrotoxicity. 4. Discuss…
Objectives This chapter will: 1. Define potential mechanisms underlying the nephrotoxicity of immunosuppressive drugs in the intensive care unit (ICU). 2. Analyze pharmacologic interactions among immunosuppressive agents and other drugs used in ICU patients. 3. Evaluate clinical outcomes after adjustments…