Measurement of kidney perfusion in critically ill patients

In this state-of-the art review, we discuss the value, challenges, limitations, safety and feasibility of diff erent techniques for the measurement of kidney perfusion in critically ill patients. Th e advantages of each technique will be weighed against its disadvantages in the context of the critically ill patient with AKI. Particular emphasis will be placed upon techniques enabling some evaluation of the microcirculation, because emerging experimental evidence suggests that these are the techniques that are the most likely to improve our understanding of the disease and help clinicians develop and apply physiologically logical interventions.