LogFAQs > #954298858

AKI is kind of an abrupt (within ~48 hrs) reduction of kidney function often due to dehydration, nephrotoxic drugs, low cardiac output, IV contrasts, major surgery or shock syndromes. Resolution back to baseline renal function may return maybe within 2 weeks if you take appropriate actions (hydrate, remove offending agents, clear post-renal obstruction, etc).

CKD is more of a progressive disease marked by a continuous decline in renal function. People who have CKD can also go into AKI due to one or more reasons described above, but their resolution of symptoms take them back to whatever their baseline was before the insult.

As a rule of thumb, I would say someone with severe renal impairment has a CrCl < 30 ml/min, which is basically Stage 4 CKD. That's about the time you might need to begin preparations for dialysis.

I make renal dose recommendations based on trends and not singular values. I want to see whether the renal function status is getting better or worse over time.

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When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps. - Confucius