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May 22, 2013
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Acute Kidney Failure (cont.)

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Acute Kidney Failure Postrenal Causes

Postrenal failure is sometimes referred to as obstructive renal failure, since it is often caused by something blocking elimination of urine produced by the kidneys. It is the rarest cause of acute kidney failure (5% to 10% of all cases). This problem can be reversed, unless the obstruction is present long enough to cause damage to kidney tissue.

Obstruction of one or both ureters can be caused by the following:

  • Kidney stone, usually only on one side
  • Cancer of the urinary tract organs, kidney cancer or tumor, or structures near the urinary tract that may obstruct the outflow of urine
  • Medications
Obstruction at the bladder level can be caused by the following:
  • Bladder stone
  • Enlarged prostate (the most common cause in men)
  • Blood clot
  • Bladder cancer
  • Neurologic disorders of the bladder impairing its ability to contract

Treatment consists of relieving the obstruction. Once the blockage is removed, the kidneys usually recover in 1 to 2 weeks if there is no kidney infection or other problem.

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Acute Kidney Failure - Symptoms

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Acute Renal Failure »

Acute renal failure (ARF) or acute kidney injury (AKI), as it is now referred to in the literature, is defined as an abrupt or rapid decline in renal filtration function.

Read More on Medscape Reference »


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