[Acute kidney failure in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis]

The causes of acute renal failure (ARF) and results of its treatment are analyzed in 34 patients aged 15 to 51 years with exacerbation of chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). Of these, 20 patients presented with lupoid GN, 11 with Bright's GN, and 3 had GN associated with systemic vasculitis (2 of them also had mixed cryoglobulinemia). All the patients underwent clinical treatment that lasted from January 1, 1986 to December 31, 1990. In 15 patients, ARF was due to the activity of the underlying disease or development of its complications (nephrotic crisis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, cryoglobulinemia); in 15 patients, it was determined by complications induced by drug treatment (diuretics, antibiotics, nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs), and in 4 patients, by complications related to invasive examinations (radiographic contrast studies) and treatment (isolated ultrafiltration). The authors hold that superaddition of progressive tubular disorders, rapid decrease of the rate of glomerular filtration accompanied by the growth of serum creatinine form the basis for ARF to be diagnosed in such patients. Identification of the cause of ARF and delimitation of whether the pathological process is renal or prerenal in CGN patients is required for rational treatment prescription.