Dear Colleagues,

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an acute and potentially reversible worsening of kidney excretory function, and frequently leads to a need of intermittent or continuous renal replacement therapy. Although it may also develop in patients without preexisting significant comorbidities as a result of a variety of acute causes (e.g., severe dehydration, hypotension, toxins, drugs) AKI is most commonly a complication in critically ill patients. In these patients AKI is associated with very high morbidity and mortality. There has been a substantial change in the epidemiology of AKI in recent decades, and the incidence of AKI requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) is increasing by approximately 10% per year. These changes are mostly due to the ageing of the population. RRT is initiated in a case of AKI to give time to restore kidney function, but also to combat hemodynamic instability and fluid and electrolyte disturbances. There is an ongoing debate over the optimal timing of initiation of RRT and the selection of its modality. The advances in dialysis techniques led to the introduction of several new modalities including continuous venovenous hemofiltration, continuous venovenous hemodialysis, continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration and intermittent hemodialysis or hemodiafiltration. The choice may be difficult even for an experienced nephrologist or intensivist, and universally accepted guidelines are lacking. Additionally, the choice of the serum and urine biomarkers that may predict the course and outcome of AKI and the need for the introduction of a particular method of RRT remains debatable and requires further research.

The aim of this Special Issue is to welcome researchers to submit original papers, review articles, or commentaries in the clinical and technological management in the field of nephrology. 

Prof. Dr. Michal Nowicki
Guest Editor

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• acute kidney injury
• hemodialysis
• hemodiafiltration
• hemofiltration
• continuous renal replacement therapy
• biomarkers of acute kidney injury
• critical care nephrology
• hemodynamic instability
• metabolic acidosis
• electrolyte abnormalities
• hyperkalemia
• uremia
• volume overload