The Problem of Acute Kidney Injury in Children Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

The problem of acute kidney injury (AKI) in children undergoing cardiac surgery remains relevant even in the presence of modern medical technologies and methods. This complication, which occurs after pediatric cardiac surgery, has significant negative consequences, leading to the patient staying in the infant intensive care unit (IICU) for a longer period and even an increased risk of death. According to the literature, cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSAKI) is a common complication after surgery to correct congenital heart defects in children, with a reported incidence rate of up to 42%. This fact is increasingly recognized as a serious problem affecting the health of pediatric patients. The aim of the study is to analyze modern concepts concerning the impact of cardiac surgery on the development of acute kidney injury in children, and to, identify the main trends and current scientific ideas about the mechanisms which form this complication in pediatric cardiac surgery. The review was compiled using literature search methods in databases such as Scopus, PubMed, MedLine, Cyberleninka, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and TripDataBase, covering the period from 2014 to 2024. Scientific studies aimed at identifying risk factors for the development of acute kidney injury in children after cardiac surgery have identified a number of important aspects, including the age of the patients, the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, the level of surgical complexity of the operation, the need for mechanical ventilation, and inotropic support. Despite significant achievements in this area, some aspects remain under-researched. As the use of substitutive renal therapy as part of the comprehensive treatment of acute renal failure is increasing, understanding these problems becomes more urgent.