A compendium of consensus papers, guidelines and research summaries Associated with both acute kidney injury (AKI) and cardio-renal syndromes (CRS), new biomarkers represent both a popular area of investigation and a new opportunity for advancement of therapy. This book contains the resolutions of the most recent ADQI conferences on biomarkers in AKI (Dublin) and on cardio-renal syndromes (Venice). The first part answers specific questions about new biomarkers and their use and utility in AKI: What are the most suitable candidate molecules and physiologic measures, how solid and evidence based is the discovery phase? How can we incorporate the new biomarkers in the AKI conceptual model describing the evolution from susceptibility to insult, decreased GFR and organ death? Even if we have a positive biomarker pattern and we can identify patients at risk or patients with early or even subclinical AKI, how is this information affecting our clinical behavior and practice? The second part is dedicated to the appraisal of the current knowledge about the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in different forms of CRS: it contains contributions on the state-of-the-art knowledge and practice of CRS, particularly focusing on the pathophysiology of the five subtypes. Acute and chronic mechanisms of damage are explored in depth, with particular attention to the primacy of organ involvement and the subsequent pathways of organ crosstalk. Presenting the most recent research in the field of biomarkers, AKI and CRS, this publication is an important educational tool for advanced investigators and clinical experts, but also for students and fellows.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious disorder in which sudden impairment of kidney function occurs secondary to one or more of a variety of underlying conditions and exposures. It is very common in (elderly) ICU patients and associated with very high mortality. Many of those who survive suffer from permanent kidney failure and other long-term morbidities. Renowned experts from around the world have contributed to this new publication, creating a succinct yet complete review of the most controversial aspects of AKI. The topics range from epidemiology and basic science to pathophysiology and clinical issues. It is intended as a concise reference work for physicians and nurses who deal with AKI in clinical nephrology and intensive care wards on a daily basis.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious and as yet incompletely understood disorder in which sudden impairment of kidney function occurs secondary to one or more of a variety of underlying conditions. This disorder is very common in (elderly) ICU patients and is associated with very high mortality. Many of those who survive suffer from permanent kidney failure and other long-term morbidities, which may include cardiovascular disease and immune dysfunction. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that AKI is not a single disease, but a syndrome comprised of multiple, often coexisting, etiologies. Being usually part of multiorgan failure syndrome, it calls for multiple organ support therapy. The publication at hand contains sections on prerenal azotemia syndromes, dying 'of' or 'with' AKI, pathophysiology of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury, developments in prevention / treatment / rehabilitation, and renal support. Reporting the latest recommendations from experts, it provides valuable information for those that are interested in understanding the disorder and its treatment options.

This publication contains the most recent findings in the field as presented by the outstanding faculty of the 2012 International Vicenza Course on Peritoneal Dialysis. After 30 years, this course is still one of the main educational events in the field of peritoneal dialysis as well as other disciplines including CKD, hemodialysis and critical care nephrology. The publication of the book in time for the course represents another success of the Vicenza team. The experts of the world and the related industry met in Vicenza for this important anniversary which is celebrated by this book representing not only a milestone in the history of the Department of Nephrology and the International Renal Research Institute of Vicenza, but also and above all an extraordinary educational tool for all physicians and nurses interested in peritoneal dialysis today.

Uric acid disorders are involved in both nephrological and hematological diseases. One of these crystal-associated diseases which has been known since antiquity is gout. More recently, tumor Lysis syndromes have been identified which affect patients with cancer, especially in the phase of cellular destruction after chemotherapy. The detection of these hyperuricemic syndromes, together with the improved understanding of urate handling by the kidney, have spurred new interest in the pathophysiology of hyperuricemic states, their clinical consequences and management. Moreover, the recent development of a recombinant form of urate oxidase transforming uric acid into allantoin (Rasburicase) has caused new interest in the pathophysiology of hyperuricemia and the potential applications of this new drug. The multidisciplinary approach of this book offers new insights into the metabolic syndromes in question by uniting authors from the fields of biochemistry, pharmacology, rheumatology, onco-hematology, and nephrology. The result is a compendium of the present knowledge in the field, which will also be very useful as a reference tool for professionals and students who want to expand their knowledge on this topic.

The volumes in this series are published annually on the occasion of the International Conference on Dialysis organized by the Renal Research Institute, New York, in cooperation with the ISN, ISPD, NKF and RPA. Among the topics discussed in the current issue are recent developments in dialysis, dialysate and vascular access; vasopressin receptor antagonists in heart failure; the interaction between aldosterone and the extracellular fluid volume in CKD; the management of cardiac disease in the dialysis patient; the cardiorenal syndrome; the use of bioimpedance for volume control in CKD; internal filtration hemodialysis; reduction of hepatitis C viral load by extracorporeal therapy; measurement and significance of bacterial DNA in water and dialysate; temporal evolution of events pre-death in dialysis patients; prenatal causes of kidney disease; current approaches to the critically ill; and lipid metabolism in CKD and its practical implications. Identifying relevant controversial issues as well as areas of recent progress with regard to disease processes or treatment, this publication is a helpful reference tool for both clinicians and basic investigators involved in CKD.

Critical care nephrology is an emerging multidisciplinary science in which the competences of different specialists are merged to provide a unified diagnostic and therapeutic approach to the critically ill patient. The volume at hand places great emphasis on cardiorenal syndromes and the multidisciplinary collaboration between cardiology and nephrology. Several contributions describe the cardiorenal syndrome in its different varieties and subtypes and report the results from the most recent Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative Consensus Conference, as well as proposing new diagnostic approaches based on early biomarkers of AKI. Other papers discuss advances in technology for renal replacement therapy and multiple organ support therapy. Moreover, special emphasis is placed on the potential role of extracorporeal therapies in patients affected by H1N1 influenza, and a summary of the most recent trials in the field is included. Containing the proceedings of the 2010 International Vicenza Course on Critical Care Nephrology, this publication is a state-of-the-art appraisal of today's technology and current issues related to cardiorenal syndromes.