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What Is Acute Renal Insufficiency?

Acute renal insufficiency is a rapid loss of kidney function that occurs suddenly. Another term for this condition is acute renal failure. Identifying this condition early makes it possible to treat acute renal insufficiency before it becomes permanent.

  1. Risk Factors

    • The Mayo Clinic reports that chronic infections, heart failure, hypertension, advanced age, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, kidney disease, blood disorders, obstruction of the bladder outlet, liver disease and enlargement of the prostate gland are risk factors for acute renal insufficiency.

    Causes

    • Acute renal failure is caused by conditions that damage the kidneys or interfere with the waste filtration process. This can occur due to bladder or ureter obstruction, heart problems, low blood pressure, kidney infection, hemolytic uremic syndrome, low blood volume and reduced blood flow to the kidneys.

    Signs & Symptoms

    • Signs and symptoms of this condition include fatigue, shortness of breath, reduced urine output, drowsiness, confusion, seizures, fluid retention and coma.

    Diagnosis

    • Blood tests and imaging studies are used to diagnose acute renal failure. Abnormal levels of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and electrolytes indicate kidney dysfunction. Ultrasound, MRI and computed tomography (CT) produce images of the kidneys that can show damage to the structures of these organs.

    Treatment

    • Acute renal insufficiency is often treated with hemodialysis, which is a process that removes fluid and wastes from the blood. During this process, blood is removed from the body, filtered by a machine and returned to the body. Treating the underlying condition that caused the kidney injury is also important in reversing acute renal failure.

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