Renal dysfunction in the perioperative liver transplant period.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Acute kidney failure in the perioperative liver transplant recipients results in an increased hospital length of stay, acute rejection, infection rate and overall mortality. Thus, it is of great importance to be able to recognize, prevent and treat kidney injury.

RECENT FINDINGS: Immediate post liver transplant kidney dysfunction is increased in those with pretransplant kidney failure, hepato-renal syndrome, intraoperative hypotension, intraoperative hypovolemia, aprotinin use and those requiring transfusion of more units of blood products or needing to return to the operating room.

SUMMARY: To date, avoiding risky clinical situations, maintaining homeostasis and a multidisciplinary approach to care have been reasonable approaches to decrease the incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury.