[Important to investigate the cause of acute kidney injury. Treatment should aim to limit the damage and prevent progression].

An acute worsening of renal function, so called acute kidney injury, is common in patients admitted to hospital. Acute kidney injury is associated with an increased long-term risk for chronic kidney disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and death. In order to prevent further deterioration of kidney function early identification of causes for acute kindey injury is of utmost importance. In most cases, there is no specific treatment of acute kidney injury, but several general principles should be followed: to strive for normovolemia, optimize hemodynamics, treat electrolyte disturbances, discontinue nephrotoxic agents, and to adjust dosages of medications which are renally eliminated. The aim with this review was to provide an overview of the current knowledge for the initial management of acute kidney injury and to summarize the most important measures to take.