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Among adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery, infusion of amino acids reduces the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI), according to a study published online. Giovanni Landoni, M.D. and colleagues examined the efficacy of amino acids in reducing the occurrence of AKI after cardiac surgery. The analysis included 3,511 adult patients who were scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass who were randomly assigned to receive an intravenous infusion of either a balanced mixture of amino acids (2 g per kilogram of ideal body weight per day) or placebo (Ringer's solution) for up to three days. The researchers found that...

In a study looking at the long-term effects of hospitalized patients who have acute kidney injury (AKI), a sudden but temporary loss of kidney function, researchers found that higher levels of certain biomarkers in urine and blood can predict a patient's risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). AKI occurs when your kidneys stop working properly, which can cause waste to build up in your blood, making it hard for the body to balance fluids. Although treatable, AKI could lead to CKD, a much more severe and potentially fatal condition, and other heart problems. AKI is most commonly seen in...

A serious condition that can cause the kidneys to suddenly stop working could be treated with existing medicines, a new study shows. In a study in mice, scientists found that medicines usually used to treat angina and high blood pressure prevented much of the long-term damage to the kidney and cardiovascular system caused by acute kidney injury (AKI). The condition is usually caused by other illnesses that reduce blood flow to the kidney, or due to toxicity arising from some medicines. AKI must be treated quickly to prevent death. Even if the kidneys recover, AKI can cause long lasting damage...

Scanned images of whole kidneys comparing a healthy contralateral mouse kidney with a kidney after ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), with red staining indicative of fibrosis. Credit: Science Translational Medicine (2022). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abf5074 A serious condition that can cause the kidneys to suddenly stop working could be treated with existing medicines, a new study shows. In a study in mice, scientists found that medicines usually used to treat angina and high blood pressure prevented much of the long-term damage to the kidney and cardiovascular system caused by acute kidney injury (AKI). Experts hope the findings will pave the way for improved treatment...