Prevention of acute kidney injury

This chapter summarizes the pharmacological interventions that can be used in the prevention of acute kidney injury (AKI). These following interventions are discussed: the use and selection of vasopressors; the administration of loop diuretics and mannitol; vasodilating drugs including dopamine, atrial natriuretic peptide, nesiritide, fenoldopam, and adenosine antagonists. The role of N-acetylcysteine in the prevention of contrast-induced AKI and cardiac surgery is discussed. The chapter concludes with a summary of the potential role of insulin-like growth factor and erythropoietin in the prevention of AKI.