Eur J Pediatr Surg 2012; 22(06): 426-433
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1322540
Review
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Acute Kidney Injury in Children Undergoing Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease

Kirsten Pedersen
1   Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

27 March 2012

11 May 2012

Publication Date:
17 August 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious postoperative complication in children undergoing surgery for congenital heart disease. The incidence of this complication and its consequences may have changed due to advances in surgical technique, but comparisons between studies are compromised by differences in study design, diagnostic criteria, and patient selection. Recently, attention has been drawn to the importance of an early diagnosis based on the use of new, refined, and sensitive biomarkers. However, the pathophysiology behind AKI remains unsolved and ambiguous, which limits the usefulness of both traditional and new diagnostic tools. Furthermore, this gap in the understanding of AKI may be responsible for the lack of a specific preventive intervention or treatment.