Fluid overload and acute kidney injury: cause or consequence

Fluid administration mainsto optimize the hemodynamics of critically ill patients. Several large observational studies and randomized controlled trialsdemonstrated that fluid overload is an independent risk factor of acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality which means that it is important to avoid fluid overload in clinical practice. However, it is difficult to distinguish fluid overload induce AKI from AKI itself induce fluid overload. Understanding thecause-effect relationship between fluid overload and AKI needs further study. Key words: Fluid overload; Acute kidney injury; Prognosis; Critical care medicine