Acute kidney injury happens when the kidneys suddenly stop filtering waste from the blood, often during hospitalization for severe illness, surgery, or sepsis. Most people recover kidney function, but some develop chronic kidney disease. Current treatment focuses on supportive care while the kidneys heal.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing drugs to protect kidney cells during injury, biomarkers that detect damage earlier than standard tests, and strategies to prevent AKI in high-risk surgical patients. Researchers are also studying which patients will recover function and which will need long-term dialysis, and testing ways to speed kidney repair after injury.
Early detection biomarkers
New blood and urine tests can detect kidney damage hours before creatinine rises. Earlier detection may allow doctors to intervene before injury becomes severe.
Cell protection drugs
Several drugs aim to protect kidney tubule cells from dying during injury caused by sepsis, surgery, or reduced blood flow. Most target inflammation or oxidative stress pathways.
Recovery prediction
Studies are identifying which patients will regain kidney function versus need dialysis long-term. Better prediction could guide treatment intensity and discharge planning.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on AKI severity stage, cause of injury, whether dialysis has started, and presence of underlying chronic kidney disease.
What types of trials are currently open
- Prevention trials — Testing medications or fluid strategies in people at high risk of AKI, such as those undergoing cardiac surgery or receiving contrast dye for imaging.
- Treatment trials — Testing drugs that may reduce kidney damage or speed recovery once AKI has occurred. Most focus on reducing inflammation or protecting kidney cells.
- Biomarker studies — Testing whether new kidney injury markers can detect damage earlier and predict who will recover versus develop chronic kidney disease.
- Supportive care trials — Testing when to start dialysis, optimal fluid management, and other supportive measures during AKI.
- Long-term follow-up studies — Following patients after hospital discharge to understand kidney recovery patterns and risk factors for chronic kidney disease.
Recently added Acute Kidney Injury trials
Intravesical Aminophylline for Urgent Ureteral Stenting in Acute Calculous Anuria
Acute calculous anuria is a urological emergency caused by ureteral stone obstruction in a solitary functioning kidney or bilateral ureteral obstruction. Urgent decompression of the upper urinary tract is required to restore urine drainage and prevent further renal impairment. This prospective randomized double-blind controlled trial will evaluate whether intravesical aminophylline can facilitate urgent retrograde ureteral stenting in adult patients with acute calculous anuria due to ureteral stones. Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to receive either intravesical aminophylline diluted in normal saline or placebo saline before attempted retrograde Double-J ureteral stent placement. The primary outcome is technical success, defined as successful placement of a Double-J ureteral stent across the obstructing stone without the need for percutaneous nephrostomy. Secondary outcomes include stenting time, intraoperative complications, renal function recovery, postoperative pain, analgesic requirement, and the need for alternative drainage.
Improving Patient Assessment After Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
The goal of this clinical trial is to improve patient care after acute kidney injury (AKI). It has three related parts. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is creatinine or cystatin a more reliable assessment of kidney function after AKI? 2. What are the experiences of patients after AKI? 3. What interventions should be recommended to improve assessment and support of patients after AKI? Participants will be asked to do one or more of: * blood tests to measure kidney function in different ways * have measurement of their body composition * complete questionnaires about their symptoms * have an interview with a researcher about their experiences * discussion to develop an action plan based on findings
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