[Cardio-renal-axis--physiology, pathophysiology, and clinical relevance?].

It has been known for years that variations in atrial stretch and intrathoracic blood volume may affect kidney function. Interestingly, little information on this topic can be found in the recent literature of critical care medicine and anesthesiology. Hence, this review focuses on the role of low pressure cardiopulmonary and arterial baroreceptors in the regulation of kidney function and the neuro-endocrine mechanisms behind the so-called "cardio-renal axis". The physiological mechanisms presented in this review may have clinical impact with regard to strategies for the prevention and treatment of acute renal failure and question the usefulness of diuretics to improve kidney function during several shock states.