Patients with cardiothoracic surgery are at risk for postoperative acute renal failure which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There is no drug or procedure known to prevent this loss of renal function. Experimental data suggests, that a preoperative caloric restriction might provide kidney protection in this context. This clinical trial investigates if this phenomenon is also applicable in humans. Patients with a increased risk for a postoperative renal failure due to known chronic kidney disease are randomized in 2 groups. Patients of the diet group receive a calorie restriction to 60% of the calculated daily energy rate from day -7 until day -1 (included) pre-surgery (day 0 corresponds to day of surgery). Patients of the control group receive alimentation ad libitum.