title: Developing a consensus classification system for acute renal failure.
abstract: A biochemical definition and classification system for acute renal dysfunction is long overdue. Its absence has impeded progress in clinical and even basic research concerning a syndrome associated with mortality rates of 30 to 80%. No definition of acute renal dysfunction will be perfect, but the absence of a definition or, worse, more than 35 separate definitions, as found in the literature, is unacceptable. Many of the challenges, considerations, and controversies associated with achieving consensus and developing a classification for acute renal dysfunction are addressed. Recommendations for validating a classification system are also considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Kellumja@ccm.upmc.edu
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kellum
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bouman
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lameire
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000145:classification*; D002965:Classification / Q000379:methods; D032921:Consensus; D006801:Humans; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014511:Uremia / Q000175:diagnosis