Strategies for renal preservation and resuscitation: The responsibility of critical care medicine is the preservation of renal function

The incidence of perioperative renal dysfunction has declined over the last few decades and the risk factors for this outcome have been well characterized. Some of these factors are identifiable preoperatively and may be amenable to optimization prior to surgery. Nevertheless, when perioperative renal dysfunction does occur, it is attended by significant increases in often complex morbidity and mortality. Postoperative courses are prolonged and difficult and even quite small decrements of renal function negatively impact patient outcome. The preservation of renal function is therefore paramount in the care of the patient throughout the perioperative period.