Acute Renal Failure Essay
Acute renal failure is the sudden loss of the kidneys ability to function; affecting more than 100,000 people in the United States alone each year (NIDDK, 2008). This paper will discuss the basic pathophysiology of acute renal failure, including its cause, disease mechanisms, symptoms, some of the treatments and pharmacological therapies.
Pathophysiology
Acute renal failure (ARF) is the rapid loss of kidney function occurring when high levels of uremic toxins accumulate in the blood. ARF occurs when the kidneys are unable to excrete the daily load of toxins in the urine. The most common causes of ARF are dehydration, blood loss from major surgery or injury, or medications such as NSAIDs, antibiotics, or the dyes used in X-ray tests (see table 1 below). ARF causes can be distributed into three categories, including prerenal, postrenal, and intrinsic (Mayo clinic, 2008).
To start with, prerenal failure is the most common ARF and accounts for 60-70% of all cases (Cunha, 2000). Prerenal failure is characterized by inadequate blood circulation to the kidneys, which leaves them unable to clean the blood properly. Many patients with prerenal failure are critically ill and often experience shock. There is often poor perfusion within many organs, which may lead to multiple organ failure. Prerenal failure is associated with a number of preexisting medical conditions, such as atherosclerosis, which reduces blood flow. Dehydration is one of the main causes, due to reduced fluid intake or excessive use of diuretics. During prerenal failure damage is minimal and can be reversed with proper treatment. Permanent damage can occur with prolonged decrease in blood flow to the kidneys (Rhodes, 2009).
Next, postrenal failure accounts for 5-10% of all cases, therefore being the least common cause (Cunha, 2000). Postrenal failure is caused by an acute obstruction that affects the normal flow of urine out of both kidneys. The blockage causes fluid
Pathophysiology
Acute renal failure (ARF) is the rapid loss of kidney function occurring when high levels of uremic toxins accumulate in the blood. ARF occurs when the kidneys are unable to excrete the daily load of toxins in the urine. The most common causes of ARF are dehydration, blood loss from major surgery or injury, or medications such as NSAIDs, antibiotics, or the dyes used in X-ray tests (see table 1 below). ARF causes can be distributed into three categories, including prerenal, postrenal, and intrinsic (Mayo clinic, 2008).
To start with, prerenal failure is the most common ARF and accounts for 60-70% of all cases (Cunha, 2000). Prerenal failure is characterized by inadequate blood circulation to the kidneys, which leaves them unable to clean the blood properly. Many patients with prerenal failure are critically ill and often experience shock. There is often poor perfusion within many organs, which may lead to multiple organ failure. Prerenal failure is associated with a number of preexisting medical conditions, such as atherosclerosis, which reduces blood flow. Dehydration is one of the main causes, due to reduced fluid intake or excessive use of diuretics. During prerenal failure damage is minimal and can be reversed with proper treatment. Permanent damage can occur with prolonged decrease in blood flow to the kidneys (Rhodes, 2009).
Next, postrenal failure accounts for 5-10% of all cases, therefore being the least common cause (Cunha, 2000). Postrenal failure is caused by an acute obstruction that affects the normal flow of urine out of both kidneys. The blockage causes fluid
References: Agraharkar, M. (2009, August 17). Acute renal failure. Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/243492-treatment Cadwallader, J Cunha, J. (2000, April). Acute renal failure. Retrieved from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/acute_kidney_failure/article_em.htm High blood pressure and kidney disease Hudson, K. (2007, July 22). Acute renal failure. Retrieved from http://dynamicnursingeducation.com/class.php?class_id=131 Kidney failure, acute Rhodes, M. (2009, June). Intrinsic acute renal failure. Retrieved from http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100073401[pic]