acute kidney injury (AKI)

February 5, 2026

‘Liberation’ from acute dialysis may enhance recovery of kidney function

Researchers at Vanderbilt Health and three other centers compared conventional dialysis to a conservative dialysis strategy.

By Guillermo Sanchez, PhD
Raymond Harris, MD, left, and Ming-Zhi Zhang, MD, MSc, in the lab. (photo by John Russell)
May 20, 2025

VUMC discovery one step closer to treatment for kidney fibrosis

Study shows that deletion of EGFR from myeloid cells accelerated recovery from acute kidney injury and reduced subsequent fibrosis.

By Bill Snyder
April 25, 2025

Study suggests possible stem-cell solution for acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury is a sudden decrease in kidney function that can lead to kidney failure, the need for kidney dialysis and death.

By Bill Snyder
August 21, 2024

High or low oxygen levels are safe during heart surgery: study

Two hundred study participants were assessed for oxidative stress, acute kidney injury, delirium, myocardial injury and atrial fibrillation.

By Matt Batcheldor
March 7, 2024

Blood mutations increase risk for acute kidney injury: study

A U.S.-Canadian research collaboration led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center has identified common, age-associated changes in the blood as a risk factor for acute kidney injury, which occurs in more than 1 in 5 hospitalized adults worldwide.

By Bill Snyder
February 7, 2024

VUMC study finds molecular switch key to repair of kidney damage

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified Rac1, a molecular switch that regulates the actin cytoskeleton of epithelial cells in the collecting ducts, as a driver of post-obstructive kidney repair.

By Bill Snyder
December 5, 2023

Role of immunity in kidney injury hints at a potential therapy: study

Targeting the cytokine IL-22 could be a new therapeutic approach to prevent kidney injury caused by drugs or toxins, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.
By Bill Snyder
November 21, 2023

VUMC scientists discover key step to kidney fibrosis

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for the first time have shown that activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is essential for the development of kidney fibrosis, tissue scarring following injury that can lead to kidney failure.
By Bill Snyder
May 23, 2023

Treating kidney injury before it happens

Pretreatment of an animal model with a novel compound called PHAD reduced kidney injury, suggesting it may be a good candidate for preventing kidney injury in surgical patients.
By Sarah E. Glass
February 2, 2023

Machine learning aids injury prevention in cardiac cath labs

By Paul Govern
January 19, 2023

Low potassium injures kidney

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that low dietary potassium causes direct kidney injury, suggesting potential new targets for treating chronic kidney disease.
By Leigh MacMillan
December 15, 2022

Novel therapeutic target identified for chronic kidney disease

Vanderbilt investigators have discovered a molecular mechanism that promotes chronic kidney disease following kidney injury.
By Leigh MacMillan
March 17, 2022

Study compares kidney injury risk for COVID, flu patients

A Vanderbilt study found that renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAASi) inhibitor drugs, which are commonly used to regulate high blood pressure, do not disproportionately increase the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with COVID-19 compared to patients hospitalized with influenza.
By Emily Stembridge