What Causes Acute Renal Failure?

Update Date: Source: Network

Uremia: The Feared Disease Known as the Immortal Cancer

Uremia is a formidable illness often referred to as the "immortal cancer." Acute renal failure (ARF) can potentially lead to uremia. ARF arises due to a sudden or sustained decrease in glomerular filtration rate, preventing the excretion of metabolic nitrogenous waste products from the body. This sudden decline in glomerular filtration function is marked by an absolute increase in serum creatinine of ≥26.5μmol/l or a reduction in urine output.

Causes of Acute Renal Failure:

(1) Prerenal Acute Renal Failure Causes:

1. Acute hypovolemia caused by fluid loss through vomiting, diarrhea, or massive hemorrhage due to various reasons, which is a common cause of acute renal failure. Additionally, hypovolemia resulting from extensive burns, peritonitis, necrotizing pancreatitis, and other conditions can also lead to renal failure.

2. Cardiovascular diseases combined with multi-organ failure, such as congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and cardiac tamponade.

(2) Renal Acute Renal Failure:

Renal failure stemming from intrinsic kidney diseases:

1. Acute tubular necrosis, commonly seen in acute hemolytic syndrome and pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome.

2. Acute renal toxicity caused by prolonged use of nephrotoxic antibiotics, various contrast agents, heavy metal drugs, biological toxins, and other acute nephrotoxic substances.

3. Glomerular diseases like glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, and Goodpasture's syndrome.

4. Acute interstitial nephritis.

5. Renal vascular diseases including renal artery embolism and renal vein thrombosis.

(3) Postrenal Acute Renal Failure:

This type of renal failure is primarily caused by urinary tract obstruction or voiding dysfunction below the renal level. Examples include ureteral stones, urethral obstruction, bladder neck obstruction, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, and acute renal failure resulting from long-term hydronephrosis.