Perspective:

Despite an increasing incidence of acute kidney injury and growing insight into the causes and mechanisms of disease, few preventive and therapeutic options exist. The presence of more than one comorbidity results in high severity of illness scores in every medical setting of acute kidney injury, and pre-existing chronic kidney disease is a potent risk factor for acute kidney injury. In addition, the development or progression of chronic kidney disease after one or more episodes of acute kidney injury has substantial socioeconomic and public health effects in high-income and low-income countries. Long-term outcomes of new treatment approaches, based on new pathophysiological ideas (e.g., induction of kidney repair and kidney tissue regeneration) are needed to improve treatment options. Furthermore, research is needed into the development of alternative extracorporeal renal replacement options (including acute peritoneal dialysis) that need less or no water, and less or no network electricity.