Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious public health issue, with an increasing incidence and significant associated deleterious effects. Several studies have reported the consequences of AKI, including prolonged hospital stay, increased healthcare costs, morbidity, and mortality. Many factors are known to affect AKI development. Kidney is exposed to a larger proportion and a higher concentration of drugs and toxins than other organs through the secretion of ionic drugs by tubular organic ion transporters across the luminal membranes of renal tubular epithelial cells and through reabsorption of filtered toxins into the lumen of the tubule; these cells are at a greater risk for injury. This section gives an overview of AKI including the definition, causes, and prognosis.
Part of the book: Advances in Nephropathy