Acute renal failure (ARF) is a common complication of thecritically ill patient. Types of ARF include;
PRERENAL FAILUREINTRARENAL FAILUREPOSTRENAL FAILUREPrerenal failure;
this is the most common type of ARF. It is aresult of renal ischaemia caused by a significant decline in renalblood flow. Decline in renal blood flow and a fall in glomerularfiltration rate may result from hypovolaemia, a decrease incardiac output or sepsis.
(Dirkes,2000:581)
Intrarenal Failure;
indicates injury to the nephrons within thekidney itself, usually caused by nephrotoxins. Some of thesepotential nephrotoxins are aminoglycosides, heavy metals,contrast dye. Prolonged ischaemia in the kidney will causeintrarenal failure as well.
(Dirkes, 2000:581)
Postrenal Failure;
occurs when here is an obstruction to the outflow of urine from the kidney. Urinary tract obstruction,including renal stones, tumors and prostatic hypertrophy arecommon causal factors.
(Dirkes, 2000:581)
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