Standard definition for all spectrum of myocardial ischemia/threat or “Heart
Attack” are well established9-14. With the advent of diagnostic tools predominately
biomarkers the definitions of “Heart Attack” has also evolved9. Similarly with
the kidneys, the advent of renal injury biomarkers call for a new paradigm in
AKI or “Kidney Attack”. The lack of symptoms and delays in conventional AKI
markers highlight a greater impetus for this term “Kidney Attack” within such a
framework as we have highlighted. It is also stressed that injury and function
in the renal and cardiac sense or not synonymous. In addition physiological
differences highlight that injury is not always associated with loss of function
and vice versa. It is thus important we introduce the term “attack” to categorize
stages of heightened risk that may or may not be associated with early renal
functional decline.Bio = cardiac or renal biomarkers; EF = ejection fraction , surrogate for cardiac function; EKGST = electrocardiogram ST segment; MI = myocardial injury/ infarction; N = Normal; RF = Renal Function; RI = renal injury/infarction; ST segments; Th = Thrombus; Sym = symptom; UO = urine output; ↑ increased; ↓ = decreased; ↓ = Trend; + = positive; - negative; ± equivocal
