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This book draws a pathway from metabolic assessment and nutrition support to advances in renal replacement therapy and organ support in critical care, underling the specific clinical aspect and focusing on medical clinical management in critical care. Metabolic alterations in critically ill patients have been studied for many years. Despite everything, the heterogeneity of critically ill patients, the duration and variable severity of the acute phase of the disease and the numerous confounding factors have hindered progress in this field. A cornerstone of metabolic care is nutrition, that is an essential part of the care for critically ill patients, although the optimal feeding strategy for patients in the intensive care unit is still debated and often remains a challenge for the intensive care team in clinical practice. In addition, acute loss of renal function interferes with the metabolism of all macronutrients, responsible for pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidative and hyper-catabolic situations. The physiological and biological modifications related to acute renal failure in critically ill patients, including the current use of continuous renal replacement therapies, have dramatically changed the type and importance of the metabolic and nutrition disturbances observed during treatment of renal failure. This book - addressed to healthcare providers working in intensive care units - aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis and interpretation of the adult critical care nutrition and critical care nephrology literature, with a particular focus on continuing practice gaps and areas with new data, to assist clinicians in making practical, yet evidence-based decisions regarding nutrition management during the different stages of critical illness.

Die „Geriatrische Nephrologie“ bildet mittlerweile einen eigenen, evidenz-basierten Schwerpunkt innerhalb der Nierenheilkunde und fokussiert somit auf die Besonderheiten der Krankheitsverläufe und der Therapiekonzepte der alten und hochaltrigen Behandlungsgruppe. Dieses Fachbuch - herausgegeben von Experten der nephrologischen Altersmedizin und einem kompetenten Autorenteam - stellt Krankheitsbilder, Diagnostik und Therapiekonzepte im nationalen und internationalen Kontext dar. Alle Kapitel sind einheitlich aufgebaut, Praxistipps geben Orientierung und Literaturangaben regen zum Weiterlesen an. Es wirbt für ein angemessenes, kooperatives Behandlungsangebot aller, die an der Betreuung älterer Menschen mit Nierenerkrankungen beteiligt sind. Ein praxisnahes Nachschlagewerk für Fachärzt•innen in der Nephrologie und Geriatrie, Weiterbildungsteilnehmer•innen der Inneren Medizin, hausärztlich tätige Internist•innen und Allgemeinmediziner•innen sowie Studierende von Pflegestudiengängen.

This first volume of an exciting new book series offers a comprehensive and logically organized introduction to clinical pharmacy as applied to renal medicine. The volume opens with a review of renal pharmacokinetics: absorption; distribution; metabolism; and elimination, as well as drug dosing in renal impairment, and important knowledge specific to aging and renal impairment. Acute kidney injury receives extensive attention, including pre-renal, intra-renal, and post-renal injuries. The book also outlines the role of clinical pharmacy in chronic kidney disease and end stage renal failure. Additional chapters provide detailed information on the methods and pharmacokinetics of renal dialysis, and the epidemiology and management of drug-induced nephrotoxicity. The Advanced Clinical Pharmacy series provides a review of core pharmaceutical concepts, a foundation for optimizing pharmacotherapy, and an introduction to advanced clinical practice. The editors and contributors are international experts who distill the core knowledge of each specialty. The books offer real-world insights to benefit both new practitioners, and experienced pharmacists exploring new areas of clinical pharmacy

This book presents up-to-date information on the clinical-pathophysiological features of acute renal injury and discusses the KDIGO diagnostic criteria, as well as novel experimental findings, including in the area of regenerative medicine. It also highlights the clinical-pathophysiological importance of AKI in clinical settings, including differential diagnoses and management of AKI. In the past, the pathology associated with sudden renal impairment was characterized as acute renal failure (ARF). However, in the 2000s, the joint efforts of specialists in fields including nephrology, intensive care medicine, and cardiovascular medicine led to the introduction of a novel concept known as acute kidney injury (AKI). As medical care progressed, patients such as high-risk elderly subjects who were not deemed to be candidates for invasive therapy came to be treated in intensive care units (ICUs). As a result, kidney injury as a subset of multiple organ failure was re-considered asAKI, especially in intensive care medicine. AKI was then proposed as a novel disease concept to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and early intervention to improve prognosis.Presenting novel features, such as the definition of AKI, risk factors and management; biomarkers, such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and L-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP); long-term outcomes of AKI; as well as renal regeneration using iPS cell, manipulation of embryonic genes, and Xenotransplanted embryonic kidney, this book is of interest to all physicians and researchers in this field around the globe.

This book systemically presents the latest research on renal fibrosis, covering all the major topics in the field, including the possible mechanisms, biomarkers, and strategies for prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Due to its high prevalence, CKD represents a huge global economic and social burden. Irrespective of the initial causes, CKD progresses to end stage kidney disease (ESKD) due to renal fibrosis, which is characterized by glomerulosclerosis, tubule atrophy and atresia, and the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the kidney. Unfortunately, an estimated 1%-2% of the adult population living with CKD will need renal replacement therapy at some point as a result of ESKD. As such, strategies for preventing or slowing CKD progression to ESKD are of utmost importance, and studies aiming to understand the mechanisms of renal fibrosis have been the focus of intensive research. Recently, novel insights into the pathophysiological processes have furthered our understanding of the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis, and more importantly, promoted studies on the early diagnosis and treatment of CKD. This book draws lessons from the extensive, state-of-the-art research in this field, elaborating the new theories and new techniques to offer readers a detailed and comprehensive understanding of renal fibrosis and as well as inspiration for future research directions.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a complex syndrome that is prevalent among hospitalized patients. In recent years, occurrence of AKI events has risen due to a growing susceptibility of fragile and elderly subjects and an increase in the use of complex procedures such as cardiovascular surgery and imaging techniques. Exposure to potentially nephrotoxic drugs, such as new chemotherapeutic agents, is also proving to be a cause of AKI. This book summarizes recent advances in various settings. A reappraisal of current definitions and staging classifications for AKI in the literature is followed by a description of new criteria for identifying patients at risk and characterizing early kidney damage by using biomarkers. Other important topics include the sequelae of AKI and AKI in special populations such as children, the elderly, and those with cancer. The effects of AKI and its consequences on healthcare expenditures are also addressed from several perspectives. AKI management requires the cooperation of different specialists to optimize outcomes. This book is thus a perfect tool not only for nephrologists, but for every specialist involved in the complicated endeavor of improving patient care.

This book represents an invaluable resource for professionals for the diagnosis and treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI) in children and how to select and deliver the appropriate form of renal replacement therapy (RRT). Experts from all over the globe have come together to share their wide experience in the field of Critical Care Nephrology in children. Paediatric critical care nephrology is a complex and highly specialised field, presenting challenges and management strategies that are often quite distinct from those seen in adult practice. Therefore, it is high time to address all the topics in the field of critical care nephrology in children in a unique book which is the first of its kind. This book covers the basics as well as advances in the field of Critical Care Nephrology. Each chapter is dedicated to practical aspects of a particular topic elucidating various management decision points. Each chapter is alsoaccompanied with algorithms, figures and protocols in tabulated format. Information on how to manage specific conditions are contextualized with relevant background anatomy, physiology and biochemistry and practical examples. At the end of the chapter, there are key learning points. Paediatricians, nephrologists and paediatric intensivists, as well as paediatric critical care and nephrology nurses in all countries will find this book an invaluable reference text.

Continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT) started off as an alternative to hemo- or peritoneal dialysis. Today's machines and techniques are the result of 4 decades of developments, studies, and practices which can be divided into 4 distinct stages: exploration and development; birth of a new specialty called critical care nephrology; design of specific new devices and machines; and interaction among various specialists to adapt extracorporeal therapies for multiple organ support and sepsis. This book features contributions from prominent CRRT experts from around the world. It is an important tool for educating a new generation of nephrologists and intensivists. At the same time, it provides the most advanced CRRT users with the latest technological information, the most updated clinical evidence, and the personal opinion of key leaders who contributed to the last 40 years of history in the field.

This comprehensive guide covers the causes, characteristics, and presentations of acute kidney injury (AKI), as well as prevention and treatment. The first part of the book features chapters on the epidemiology and diagnosis of AKI. This is followed by sections on pathophysiology, clinical syndromes and patient management. Authored by leading clinicians, epidemiologists, basic scientists, and clinical trialists, this book captures the latest evidence and best practices for treating patients with AKI.

The number of dialysis patients, and their ages, continues to increase globally. This creates major issues such as rising medical costs in an aging population, how to best manage end-of-life care, and how to train the various practitioners involved in dialysis care. After the US and China, Japan occupies 3rd place with regard to the number of dialysis patients and is also widely regarded as a world leader in dialysis. This book contains selected articles – organized into 4 chapters - that discuss recent advances in dialysis therapy in Japan. Chapter 1 presents insights into causes, risk factors, disease associations, and possible implications for management of dialysis patients. Chapter 2 examines recent progress in hemodialysis treatment, and chapter 3 focuses on developments in peritoneal dialysis. The final chapter concentrates on recent advances in apheresis and current trends in practice, among other topics. This book is aimed at nephrologists, physicians, urologists, nurses, clinical engineers, pharmacists, and nutritionists. It is a significant contribution to furthering the progress of dialysis therapy worldwide.

This book brings together papers presented both during the 61st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (JSDT) and the 34th Congress of the International Society of Blood Purification (ISBP), held in Osaka in June and in Hiroshima in September 2016, respectively. They cover a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, hemodiafiltration and technical innovations in blood purification to complications of chronic kidney disease and acute kidney injury, including mineral bone disease and anemia.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major health concern because it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. While therapies for AKI have improved in recent years, the prevalence of this condition is still high and continues to increase. Considering these clinical issues, the appropriate detection and management of risk factors related to AKI are important issues for clinicians managing AKI patients. This book discusses the forms of detection, predictors and long-term outcomes for acute kidney injuries.

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.

Akute NierenschädigungDieses Springer-Buch bietet alles Erforderliche für das optimale Management der akuten Nierenschädigung. Frühzeitige Diagnose, rasche Therapie, kompetente Nachbetreuung sind bei der plötzlichen Verschlechterung der Nierenfunktion entscheidend für Überleben, Krankheitsverlauf und Prognose.Für Nephrologen, Intensivmediziner, Internisten und Chirurgen: Personelle und logistische Voraussetzungen, Kooperation inter-/intradisziplinär und stationär/ambulant, kompetente Entscheidungshilfen für den klinischen Alltag, Tipps &Tricks, technische Fallstricke, Fallbeispiele.Medizinisch und ökonomisch optimiert. Inhalt- Frühzeitige Diagnose: Frühwarnsystem, Algorithmen, Konsil-Checkliste, Risikopatienten identifizieren, bei welchen Patienten müssen welche Werte wann kontrolliert werden.- Rasche Therapie: optimale supportive bzw. kausale Therapie, Behandlungspfade, interdisziplinäre Behandlung.- Kompetente Nachbetreuung: Organisation der ambulanten Nachsorge: für wen und wie, präventive Maßnahmen, Patientenausweis. AutorenDr. Anja Haase-FielitzProfessor Dr. Michael HaaseKlinik für Nieren- und Hochdruckkrankheiten, Diabetologie und EndokrinologieOtto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg

This practical guide provides the reader with answers to important clinically relevant questions regarding the evaluation and management of acute kidney injury (AKI). All aspects of critical care nephrology are covered, from pathophysiology and diagnosis to prevention and treatment. The questions considered relate to a wide range of issues, such as: How do I diagnose AKI? How can I protect the kidney in clinical practice? How do I manage patients with AKI? When should I initiate and how do I perform renal replacement therapy (RTT)? Which type of RTT is most appropriate for my patient? Should I give specific nutrients? In addition to providing practical guidelines and treatment algorithms, the book includes calculators for continuous RRT and anticoagulant dosing. The authors are internationally renowned experts in the fields of Intensive Care Medicine and Nephrology and all contributions are written in a clear and concise style and have been peer reviewed. Acute Nephrology for the Critical Care Physician will serve as a very useful source for intensivist internists, anesthesiologists and nephrologists involved in the management and treatment of critically ill patients at risk of or affected by AKI.

Urology at a Glance is a concise, practical guide to diagnostic and therapeutic decision making. The book is divided into two parts. The first focuses on the pathway from symptom to diagnosis and covers the full range of symptoms commonly encountered by the urologist. Any particular symptom can be located within a matter of seconds and in each case differential diagnosis is explained with the aid of a flow chart. The second part of the book is devoted to the pathway from diagnosis to therapy, with each short chapter devoted to a specific diagnosis. Basic information is provided on the disease in question, along with an outline of state of the art treatment options and possible complications. Again, flow charts are used to help the reader to reach the correct therapeutic decision in different circumstances. Numerous high-definition photographs and illustrations are also included. This book will be a great asset for urologists and practitioners in related disciplines.

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.

Die Multimorbidität der Patienten ist eine massive Herausforderung für Kliniker von heute. Das gemeinsame Auftreten von Herz-Kreislauf- und Nierenerkrankungen verändert den Krankheitsverlauf und die Therapie, ein interdisziplinärer Zugang ist unerlässlich. Auch wenn die Sys-tematik des kardiorenalen Syndroms in den nächsten Jahren wahrscheinlich verändert oder zumindest verfeinert wird, versuchen wir in diesem Buch schon jetzt ein abgestimmtes nephrologisch-kardiologisches Konzept vorzustellen, welches unmittelbar in der klinischen Routine umgesetzt werden kann.

Through case presentations and a question and answer format, Clinical Decisions in Nephrology, Hypertension and Renal Transplantation provides a state of the art, updated reference for the optimal management of patients with diseases of the kidneys, and hypertension. This volume starts with the assessment of the patient, focusing on history and physical examination. Subsequently, cases depicting various clinical syndromes and/or diseases are presented, with questions centering on the appropriate diagnostic and treatment strategy. This sets the stage for a ‘Socratic approach'to learning between the attending physician and the house staff or medical student.This is the only book featuring problem-oriented true to life clinical cases in this format to cover nephrology, hypertension and kidney transplantation. Written by renowned actively practicing clinicians, this unique reference is both comprehensive and concise and will be of great value to hospitalists and internists, as well as students, and interns/residents rotating in nephrology and internal medicine. Clinical practitioners, in the fields of critical care and hypertension specialists would also find this of value.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common condition with significant associated morbidity and mortality. Although impressive progress has been made in the understanding of the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of kidney injury, as well as in the clinical care of patients with AKI, outcomes have remained disturbingly static over the last 40-50 years. This new book presents topical research data in the study of the causes, diagnosis and treatment of acute kidney injury. Topics discussed include classification of AKI; acute renal failure in the newborn; kidney ischemia and reperfusion injury; pandemic H1N1 influenza A infection and AKI; the role of oxidative stress in renal ischemia; biomarkers in acute kidney injury and B2 adrenoceptor therapy in AKI.

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.

Acute organ damage and the ensuing multiple organ failure are the result of a pathophysiological process involving various cytokines. Once activated, these proteins cannot be eliminated even when the kidneys function at their maximum capacity. To counteract this mechanism, researchers in Japan have developed an innovative concept employing blood purification to remove the overwhelming cytokines. This book describes the use of hemodiafiltration to inhibit the cytokine storms which cause serious organ damage in patients with septic shock. Moreover, the technical construction of the blood purification system, which includes various machines, devices, membranes, fluids, etc., is explained in detail. Finally, leading experts discuss the concept of continuous renal replacement therapy as the standard care in critically ill patients with severe acute kidney injury. Describing the current state of acute blood purification, this publication provides new impulses and opens new avenues in the treatment of acute organ damage.

Fluid overload is often observed in patients with heart failure and secondary oliguric states. A thorough assessment of the fluid status of the patient may help guide the therapy and prevent complications induced by inappropriate therapeutic strategies. The present publication is divided into four parts: Definition and Classification, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Therapy. In the first section, the authors present new definitions for heart failure, acute kidney injury and cardiorenal syndromes to facilitate the process of understanding the complex link between the heart and the kidney. Subsequently, different conditions leading to fluid overload are described, followed by an account of emerging diagnostic tools, therapies and technologies devoted to the treatment of patients with severe fluid-related disorders. Clearly structured and written, the present book is a practical tool for physicians and professionals involved in the management and care of patients with combined heart and kidney disorders. Moreover, it also serves as a reference textbook for medical students, residents and fellows dealing in everyday practice with fluid overloaded and oliguric patients.

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.

Acute kidney failure is an important clinical area in the intensive care unit setting. An estimated 5–20% of critically ill patients experience an episode of acute kidney failure during the course of their illness, and about 5% of patients admitted to an ICU will eventually require renal replacement therapy. In these patients, in-hospital mortality is extremely high, exceeding 50%. Thus, the early detection and causal treatment of acute kidney problems is vitally important for a successful outcome. Written by internationally renowned experts, this clinical reference offers helpful advice with the most recent information on the definition, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical causes of acute kidney failure as a fundamental prerequisite for prevention of this disorder. Moreover, it also covers differential diagnostic approaches for patients with acute renal failure and provides a detailed outline of important measures for their clinical management. Finally, separate chapters are dedicated to various key aspects related to the adequate delivery of acute renal replacement therapy. It is intended as a helpful guide for all clinicians involved in the care of patients at risk of developing acute kidney problems.

Nierenerkrankungen: eine wachsende Herausforderung für Fach- und Hausärzte Von HWI bis Nierentransplantation •Harnwegsinfektionen: Wann medikamentös behandeln? •Invasive Diagnostik (z.B. Nierenbiopsie): Wann erforderlich? •Niereninsuffizienz: Welche Medikamente, welche Dosisanpassung, welche Zielwerte? Neueste Erkenntnisse anwendbar für die tägliche Praxis - rational und rationell •Früherkennung •Diagnostikmöglichkeiten •Therapiestrategien •Begutachtung bei chronischer Nierenerkrankung NEU u.a.: •Diagnostik, Therapie vollständig überarbeitet/aktualisiert •Erweiterte Medikamententabelle •Transplantation: aktuelle Standardprotokolle für Immunsuppression (inkl. Komplikationen, Nebenwirkungen, Wechselwirkungen) •Besonderheiten bei Planung von Operationen und Impfungen Praxisrelevant: Praxistipps und Hinweise auf Fehlermöglichkeiten. Das Wesentliche: Für Internisten, Allgemeinmediziner, Urologen und Gynäkologen knapp und kompakt für die tägliche Arbeit in Klinik und Praxis. Für Nephrologen in Weiterbildung das schnelle, leicht lesbare Lern- und Nachschlagewerk. „Als Brücke zwischen wissenschaftlicher und praktischer Medizin ist dieses Buch gelungen und uneingeschränkt zu empfehlen.“ Prof. Dr. med. Martin Zeier Ärztlicher Leiter Sektion Nephrologie, Universitätsklinik Heidelberg.

Since the publication of the first volume on proteomics in nephrology, methodologies and protocols for renal and urinary proteome analyses have been continuously improved, resulting in considerable progress towards clinical application. Proteomics not only contributes to a better understanding of the renal physiology and pathogenic mechanisms of kidney diseases, but also assists in the search for novel biomarkers for diagnostics and prognostics and supports the definition and development of new therapeutic targets and drugs for better therapeutic outcome. While the first volume focused mainly on an overview, technologies and methodologies, this volume highlights successful applications of proteomics to several kidney diseases, including acute kidney injury, nephrotic syndrome, diabetic nephropathy, renal allograft rejection, renal cell carcinoma, obstructive nephropathy, kidney stone disease, uremia, and others. Written by acclaimed experts in proteomics and nephrology, this book is an excellent resource of references for nephrologists, clinicians, pharmacists, other healthcare professionals, proteomists, physiologists, scientists, and trainees.

Ob angehende Nephrologen oder Ärzte, die sich auf die Facharztprüfung vorbereiten - das Buch bietet Ihnen praktische Handlungsanweisungen und theoretisches Grundlagenwissen auf Facharzt-Niveau. - Praktische Handlungsanweisungen und theoretisches Hintergrundwissen auf Facharzt-Niveau - Begründete Empfehlungen zu Diagnostik und Therapie - Aktuelle und detaillierte Informationen für schwierige Situationen im Klinikalltag - Zahlreiche Informationen zu wichtigen Routine-Medikamenten

Acute kidney injury is defined as an abrupt change in serum creatinine and/or urine output, and a majority of patients admitted to the ICU have some evidence of the disorder. Unfortunately, treatment for this complex syndrome is as yet lacking and understanding is limited. An interdisciplinary panel of experts has contributed to this volume, illuminating some of the fundamental and complex aspects of the disorder ranging from pathophysiology to treatment, from emerging biomarkers to genetic polymorphisms. Other contributions focus on immunological issues or the many complications of acute kidney injury and co-morbid conditions encountered, covering the fundamentals as well as the latest developments. Moreover, important technical aspects of extracorporeal therapies including vascular access, anticoagulation or fluid composition are introduced, and different approaches to renal support from intermittent dialysis to continuous therapies and hybrid techniques are discussed. A description of advanced extracorporeal techniques of organ support and their role in the management of sepsis and acute kidney injury in the context of an overall strategy of multi-organ failure management concludes the discussions. This volume not only provides a practical and up-to-date summary of current knowledge and technology, but also imparts a fundamental understanding of the pathogenesis and likely future developments in this field. It also serves to challenge and re-examine the fundamental underlying assumptions we hold regarding critical illness in general and acute kidney injury in particular.