Current opinion in critical care
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Dec 2023
ReviewWhen to discontinue renal replacement therapy. what do we know?
Acute kidney injury is common in intensive care patients. Supportive care involves the use of renal replacement therapies as organ support. Initiation of renal replacement therapy has been the subject of much interest over the last few years with several randomised controlled studies examining the optimal time to commence treatment. In contrast to this, little evidence has been generated regarding cessation of therapy. Given that this treatment is complex, not without risk and expensive it seems timely that efforts should be expended at examining this vexing issue. ⋯ Several variables have been described which may have a role in determining which patients may be successfully weaned from renal replacement therapy. However, few have been exposed to vigorous examination and evidence is sparse in support of any potential approach although urine output currently is the most often described. More recently novel biomarkers have also been examined but again are limited by study design and heterogeneity. Further research is clearly needed focussing on proposed variables preferably in multivariate models to improve predictive ability and successful cessation of therapy.
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Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a highly prevalent clinical syndrome that substantially impacts patient outcomes. It is accepted by the clinical communities that the management of AKI is time-sensitive. Unfortunately, despite growing proof of its preventability, AKI management remains suboptimal in community, acute care, and postacute care settings. Digital health solutions comprise various tools and models to improve care processes and patient outcomes in multiple medical fields. AKI development, progression, recovery, or lack thereof, offers tremendous opportunities for developing, validating, and implementing digital health solutions in multiple settings. This article will review the definitions and components of digital health, the characteristics of AKI that allow digital health solutions to be considered, and the opportunities and threats in implementing these solutions. ⋯ Careful needs assessment, selection of the correct digital health solution, and appropriate clinical validation of the benefits while avoiding additional health disparities are moral, professional, and ethical obligations for all individuals using these healthcare tools, including clinicians, data scientists, and administrators.
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Curr Opin Crit Care · Dec 2023
ReviewPrevention and management of antibiotic associated acute kidney injury in critically ill patients: new insights.
Drug associated kidney injury (D-AKI) occurs in 19-26% of hospitalized patients and ranks as the third to fifth leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the intensive care unit (ICU). Given the high use of antimicrobials in the ICU and the emergence of new resistant organisms, the implementation of preventive measures to reduce the incidence of D-AKI has become increasingly important. ⋯ The use of both old and new antimicrobials is increasingly important in combating the rise of resistant organisms. Advances in technology, such as artificial intelligence, and alternative formulations of traditional antimicrobials offer promise in reducing the incidence of D-AKI, while antioxidant medications may aid in minimizing nephrotoxicity. However, maintaining haemodynamic stability using isotonic fluids, drug monitoring, and reducing nephrotoxic burden combined with vigilant antimicrobial stewardship remain the core preventive measures for mitigating D-AKI while optimizing effective antimicrobial therapy.