[Clinical aspects of renal ischemia and acute renal failure]

The rapid breakdown of renal excretory function termed "acute renal failure" (ARF) is accompanied by an increase in nitrogenous substances in the blood, usually eliminated with the urine (azotemia). Important causes of renal injury are renal ischaemia and the application of nephrotoxic drugs. The period of increasing symptoms (initiation) may be reversed by early therapeutic interventions, while the advanced stage with persistent oligo-/anuria (maintenance) requires haemodialysis treatment. The phase of repair (recovery) is initiated by the polyuric stage of ARF. Even in uncomplicated cases, one should expect only partial restoration of renal concentration ability.