Acute kidney injury after cardiac arrest: the role of coronary angiography and temperature management

Abstract

Cardiac arrest (CA) leads to acute kidney injury (AKI) in 12–81% of the patients [1]. Underlying disease, decreased renal perfusion due to shock and use of nephrotoxic medication can all impair renal function. AKI after CA is associated with higher mortality, poor neurological outcome, increased dialysis requirements and prolonged hospital stay [2, 3]. After CA, coronary angiography with percutaneous coronary intervention (CAG-PCI)) and targeted temperature management (TTM) are applied to improve myocardial function, survival, and neurological outcome. Both interventions have miscellaneous cardiovascular and renal effects and it is unclear whether their net effect on renal function is beneficial or harmful (Fig. 1).