Renal Acid–Base

Abstract

The renal system plays a critical role in maintaining normal blood pressure, acid–base and electrolyte balance, volume status, and clearance of metabolites. Impairments to kidney function directly affect all other organ systems and have significant implications for morbidity in the critical care setting. Understanding renal disease, it treatment and its replacement is imperative to effectively managing patients in the intensive care unit. This chapter focuses on diagnostic modalities for assessing renal function, acid–base disorders, infection, and electrolyte abnormalities. Here, the authors also focuses on differentiating prerenal, intrinsic renal, and postrenal causes of acute kidney failure, strategies for prevention, and the various forms of dialysis.