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ACUTE RENAL FAILURE

(ARF)

Definitions:
ARF is a syndrome that can be broadly defined as a rapid
deterioration of renal functions resulting in the accumulation of
nitrogenous wastes such as urea and creatinine.

Acute renal failure may be pre-renal, renal or post-renal (Fig. 4.1):

Acute Renal Failure

Pre-

renal

Intrinsic

Renal Post-renal

Acute

glomerulo-

nephritis

Acute

tubular

necrosis

Acute

interstitial

nephritis

Infiltrative:

myeloma

lymphoma

granuloma

Toxic Ischaemic Combined

(Fig. 4.1)

Different types of acute renal failure

In pre-renal failure, the renal tissue is intact and kidney biopsy
shows normal renal histology. Oliguria and high serum creatinine are due