Perioperative renal failure in elderly patients

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of perioperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in elderly patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Elderly patients with a reduced renal reserve and multiple comorbidities have a higher risk of developing AKI after surgery. Postoperative AKI is diagnosed late and may even go undetected in immobilized elderly patients because of loss of muscle mass and reduced creatinine production. Panels of injury biomarkers could improve early risk stratification, but this approach needs further evaluation. The evidence for perioperative AKI prevention or treatment with renal vasodilators or remote ischaemic preconditioning is conflic..