Preoperative assessment for patients with renal impairment

• Published in: Anaesthesia and intensive care medicine Vol. 22; no. 7; pp. 410 - 414
• Main Authors: Chukwumaife, Ugonna, Bannard-Smith, Jonathan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-07-2021
• Subjects: Acute kidney injury; chronic kidney disease; preoperative assessment; renal replacement therapy; chronic kidney disease; renal replacement therapy; Acute kidney injury; preoperative assessment
• ISSN: 1472-0299; 1878-7584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mpaic.2021.05.012

In health, the role of the kidneys includes regulation of crucial physiological variables such as blood pressure, acid–base, fluid and electrolyte balance, along with the clearance and excretion of drugs and waste products. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease is increasing, and may be attributed to an ageing population and increased incidence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Acute kidney injury is also increasingly recognized among hospitalized patients. It is imperative to understand and identify key features of renal impairment in a patient prior to the provision of anaesthesia, in order to minimize the risk of complications resulting in increased perioperative morbidity and mortality. This article aims to provide the context and structure for the preoperative assessment of patients with renal impairment irrespective of its cause.