Acute Renal Failure is a sudden decrease in kidney function defined as at least one of the following: 1. a definite increase in the serum levels of creatinine of 26.4 μmol/L(0.3mg/dl) or more; 2. A proportion increase in the serum levels of creatinine of more than 50% (1.5 fold increase from baseline); or 3. A decrease in the volume of urine output (oliguria <0.5 ml/kg hourly for >6 hours. The majority of causes of in-hospital acute renal failure is acute tubular necrosis resulting from multiple nephrotoxic insults such as sepsis, hypotension, and use of nephrotoxic drugs or radio-contrast media. Patients at risk include elderly people, diabetics, patients with hypertension or vascular disease, and those with pre-existing renal impairment.To aid the diagnosis and management, it is important to find out the underlying cause; whether it is pre-renal, renal, or postrenal. Initial workup should be performed as soon as the patient is encountered and any life-threatening situation should be treated promptly.
Acute kidney failure
Acute liver failure
Acute kidney injury
Acute renal failure
Hepatotoxicity
Hepatic failure
Cardiotoxicity
Adrenal insufficiency