AKI

Medical abbreviation · Nephrology & Urology

AKI
Stands forAcute kidney injury
CategoriesMedical

AKI stands for Acute kidney injury, a nephrology & urology abbreviation.

Abrupt fall in kidney function over hours to days, defined by KDIGO as a creatinine rise of at least 0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours, a 1.5-fold rise within seven days, or urine output below 0.5 mL/kg/h for six hours. Causes are grouped as prerenal, intrinsic and postrenal.

Example: AKI stage 2 on day 3 after sepsis, creatinine 1.0 to 2.3; hold NSAIDs and vancomycin troughs.

Usage notes

AKI replaced the older term acute renal failure in the mid-2000s to capture smaller, still harmful injuries. The RIFLE (2004) and AKIN (2007) criteria preceded KDIGO's 2012 definition. Even mild AKI raises the long-term risk of CKD and death. Common hospital culprits include low blood pressure, sepsis, contrast, NSAIDs and certain antibiotics.

More nephrology & urology abbreviations

  • ADPKD – Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
  • AIN – Acute interstitial nephritis
  • APD – Automated peritoneal dialysis
  • ARF – Acute renal failure
  • ASB – Asymptomatic bacteriuria
  • ATN – Acute tubular necrosis
  • AVF – Arteriovenous fistula
  • AVG – Arteriovenous graft
  • BOO – Bladder outlet obstruction
  • BPH – Benign prostatic hyperplasia
  • CAPD – Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
  • CIC – Clean intermittent catheterization

See all 71 nephrology & urology abbreviations →

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.