Marzo Aprile 2016 - In depth review

Pathophysiology of Acute Kidney Injury in sepsis

Abstract

Sepsis is a serious medical condition often complicated by multiorgan failure, especially in the intensive care unit setting. Acute renal failure is a frequent complication of sepsis, leading to increased hospital mortality risk and worsening of patient outcome. Despite recent advances in the treatment of sepsis and acute renal failure, the pathophysiological mechanisms of acute renal failure in sepsis is still not fully ascertained. The aim of this review is to illustrate the pathophysiological mechanisms that are involved in the development of acute renal failure in sepsis, with special regard to the systemic hemodynamic alterations, renal microvascular and inflammatory/immunological mechanisms.

Key words: acute kidney injury, inflammation, renal blood flow, sepsis

Full text of the article is available in Italian.