Recovery or progression-AKI-CKD transition

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most frequent causes of kidney function deterioration, especially in hospitalized patients. Most cases of AKI show a certain amount of recovery of kidney function over time but AKI is an important risk factor for the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In turn, CKD is an important risk factor for the development of AKI and failure to recover after AKI. Both conditions show pathophysiological similarities, such as loss of nephrons, fibrosis, small blood vessel rarefaction and inflammatory cell infiltration, which could account for the epidemiological association. Both AKI and CKD are also associated with increased mortality, which can be explained, among other things, by the reciprocal negative influence with other organ systems, so-called organ crosstalk. Both AKI and a history of past AKI should be taken seriously and patients should receive AKI follow-up care. This should not only include monitoring and, if necessary, treatment of impaired kidney function but also possible consequences for other organs such as the cardiovascular system.