Pathogenesis of acute renal failure during sepsis

Acute renal failure (ARF) is often a component of multiple organ system failure in critically ill patients. Sepsis (i.e. systemic bacterial infection) is a major factor in the aetiology of ARF and this is primarily caused by sepsis-induced cardiovascular and pulmonary failure. This association suggests that systemic haemodynamic factors, leading to severe and persistent renal hypoperfusion, play a key role in the development of ARF. However, ARF in the course of sepsis or endotoxaemia may not be solely due systemic or renal haemodynamic changes, since humoral and cellular reactions may also have an adverse effect on renal function. This review will address the haemodynamic and non-haemodynamic factors and their interaction in the development of ARF during sepsis.