Prevention of renal dysfunction in postoperative elderly patients

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe the effect of ageing on kidney function and to summarize the benefits of advocated measures to prevent perioperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in elderly patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Given a reduced renal reserve and the burden of comorbidities, the senescent kidney is susceptible to develop perioperative AKI and is less able to recover when injury occurs. Current evidence suggests that preoperative statin therapy, tight glycemic control or urine alkalinization with bicarbonate do not protect the kidneys from harm. The theoretical kidney protective effect of preoperative aspirin therapy or renal vasodilatation with atrial natriuretic peptide or fenoldopam is only..