Acute kidney failure

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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Potential complications of acute kidney failure include:

  • Permanent kidney damage. Occasionally, acute kidney failure causes permanent loss of kidney function, or end-stage renal disease. People with end-stage renal disease require either permanent dialysis — a mechanical filtration process used to remove toxins and waste from your body — or a kidney transplant to survive.
  • Death. Acute kidney failure can lead to loss of kidney function and, ultimately, death. The risk of death is highest in people who had kidney problems before experiencing acute kidney failure.
Preparing for your appointment Risk factors
References
  1. Molitoris BA. Acute kidney injury. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192064788-4/0/1492/0.html. Accessed March 30, 2010.
  2. Schroeder K. Acute renal failure. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..C2009-0-38983-7--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-6642-2&uniq=192064788. Accessed March 30, 2010.
  3. Ferri FF. Renal failure, acute. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192064788-4/0/2088/0.html. Accessed March 30, 2010.
  4. Wolfson AB. Renal failure. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..X0001-1--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&uniq=193452254. Accessed March 30, 2010.
  5. Acute kidney injury nutrition therapy. ADA Nutrition Care Manual. http://nutritioncaremanual.org/vault/editor/Docs/Acute%20Kidney%20Nutrition%20Therapy_FINAL.pdf. Accessed April 8, 2010.
  6. Reclast (zoledronic acid): Drug Safety Communication – New contraindication and updated warning on kidney impairment. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm270199.htm. Accessed Sept. 1, 2011.
  7. Reclast (prescribing information). East Hanover, N.J.: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.; 2011. http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/product/pi/pdf/reclast.pdf. Accessed Sept. 14, 2011.
  8. Zometa (prescribing information). East Hanover, N.J.: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.; 2011. http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/product/pi/pdf/Zometa.pdf. Accessed Sept. 22, 2011.
  9. Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 19, 2011.
DS00280 Oct. 18, 2011

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