Acute Renal Failure

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Acute Renal Failure

(Kidney Failure)

Definition

Acute renal failure is the sudden loss of kidney function. Kidneys clean waste from the blood and manage the balance of fluid in the body. The condition can be reversed with timely medical intervention, such as dialysis , which is a process that cleans the blood.

The Kidneys

Causes

There are many possible causes of sudden kidney failure because there are three anatomical sites for problems to occur in the renal system: before the blood enters the kidneys, within the kidney , and after the urine is processed by the kidney and enters the ureters.

Sudden kidney failure can result from problems with blood flow to the kidney, which can be caused by blood loss or dehydration. It can also result from conditions such as infections that interfere with the work of the kidney.

The most common cause of sudden kidney failure occurs inside the kidney. Acute tubular necrosis is the death of the cells inside the kidney that act as the blood's filter. These cells die when they are deprived of oxygen. This can be due to surgical complications or the side effects of certain medicines. Physical problems, such as swollen prostate glands or kidney stones can also cause sudden kidney failure.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

The following factors increase your chance of developing acute renal failure. If you have any of these risk factors, tell your doctor:

Having a chronic disease, such as diabetes , kidney disease, heart disease ( eg, congestive heart failure ), liver disease, or high blood pressure
Increased age
Dehydration
Bleeding, especially from the gastrointestinal tract
Certain medications are potentially toxic to the kidney—for example, antibiotics such as sulfa drugs, chemotherapeutic drugs, radiocontrast material, and illegal drugs (eg, heroin)
Complications following surgeries or care in an intensive care unit (ICU)
Overuse of certain over-the-counter painkillers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)—for example, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and ketoprofen
Use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Obstructive causes (eg, benign prostatic hypertrophy , bladder tumor)

Symptoms

Many people do not have any symptoms, but symptoms can include the following:

Swelling throughout the body
Less frequent urination
Dark-colored urine
Tiredness
Confusion
Nausea or vomiting
Muscle weakness or muscle cramps
No appetite
Metallic taste
In severe cases, coma or seizures

Diagnosis

You may be referred to a kidney specialist (nephrologist) for diagnosis and treatment. Your doctors will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Your doctor will ask about any medications you are taking. You will have blood and/or urine tests to look for signs of kidney failure, including abnormal levels of electrolytes, blood urea, nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (an acid that promotes muscle growth), and red blood cells.

The amount of urine produced over several hours can also be considered for diagnosis, since kidney failure affects urine production. Urine will also be examined for color and any unusual content that might indicate infection. The nephrologist may also require a kidney ultrasound , CT scan , MRI , or even an examination of the bladder for stones.

Treatment

The treatment for acute renal failure will depend on the exact cause and severity of the event. Your doctor may recommend any of the following:

Undergoing dialysis
Treating obstruction with a catheter or stent
Maintaining adequate blood volume with fluids given by IV
Stopping medications or drugs that caused the loss of function
Treating related problems, such as kidney stones or infections
Incorporating a diet with limited protein intake, supervised by a physician

Prevention

To help reduce your chance of acute kidney failure, take the following steps:

Get a physical every year that includes a urine test to monitor your kidney's health.
Drink water and other fluids to stay hydrated.
Don't take drugs or other substances that can damage your kidneys. Check with your doctor to find out about the potential side effects of any medications you are taking.
People at risk for chronic kidney disease (eg, those with a pre-existing kidney disease or kidney stone) should get more frequent check-ups at their doctor's office.

RESOURCES

National Kidney Disease Education Program http://www.nkdep.nih.gov/

National Kidney Foundation http://www.kidney.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES

The College of Family Physicians of Canada http://www.cfpc.ca/

The Kidney Foundation of Canada http://www.kidney.ca/

References

Acute renal failure. DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed . Updated June 13, 2012. Accessed November 1, 2012.

Hilton R. Acute renal failure. BMJ . 2006;333:786-790.

Needham E. Management of acute renal failure. Am Fam Physician . 2005;72:1739-1746. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/afp/20051101/1739.html . Accessed November 1, 2012.

Rondon-Berrios H, Palevsky PM. Treatment of acute kidney injury: an update on the management of renal replacement therapy. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens . 2007;16:64-70

Venkataraman R, Kellum JA. Prevention of acute renal failure. Chest . 2007;131:300-308.

Revision Information

Reviewer: Adrienne Carmack, MD
Review Date: 10/2012 -
Update Date: 10/31/2012 -

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Redmond Regional Medical Center