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Acute Renal FailureAbout 5% of all hospitalized patients develop acute renal failure, the sudden interruption of renal function resulting from obstruction, reduced circulation, or renal parenchymal disease. This condition is classified as prerenal, intrarenal, or postrenal and normally passes through three distinct phases: oliguric, diuretic, and recovery. It's usually reversible with medical treatment. If not treated, it may progress to end-stage renal disease, uremia, and death. CausesA number of serious diseases can cause the kidneys to stop working properly. You may develop acute renal failure if:
Signs and Symptoms
Diagnostic testsBlood test results indicating acute intrarenal failure include elevated blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and potassium levels, and low blood pH, bicarbonate, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels. Urine specimens show casts, cellular debris, decreased specific gravity and, in glomerular diseases, proteinuria and urine osmolality close to serum osmolality. The urine sodium level is less than 20 mEq/L if oliguria results from decreased perfusion and more than 40 mEq/L if it results from an intrarenal problem. A creatinine clearance test measures the glomerular filtration rate and allows for an estimate of the number of remaining functioning nephrons. An electrocardiogram (ECG) shows tall, peaked T waves; a widening QRS complex; and disappearing P waves if hyperkalemia is present. Other studies used to determine the cause of renal failure include kidney ultrasonography, plain films of the abdomen, kidney-ureter-bladder radiography, excretory urography renal scan, retrograde pyelography, computed tomography scans, and nephrotomography. TreatmentSupportive measures include a diet high in calories and low in protein, sodium, and potassium, with supplemental vitamins and restricted fluids. Meticulous electrolyte monitoring is essential to detect hyperkalemia. If hyperkalemia occurs, acute therapy may include hypertonic glucose-and-insulin infusions and sodium bicarbonate - all administered l.V. - and sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) by month or enema to remove potassium from the body. If measures fail to control uremic symptoms, the patient may require hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Early initiation of diuretic therapy during the oliguric phase may benefit the patient. Prevention:Treating any causative disorders may help to prevent acute renal failure. Many cases may not be preventable. |
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