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Acute renal failure in the aged
J F Macías-Núñez1, J M López-Novoa, M Martínez-Maldonado
1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Salamanca, Spain.
Seminars in Nephrology
|July 1, 1996
Summary
Acute renal failure (ARF) is common in older adults. Age should not prevent ARF treatment, and prevention strategies are key, especially managing renal hypoperfusion and judicious drug use.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Acute renal failure (ARF) is a frequent complication in the elderly population.
- Age alone is not a valid reason to withhold ARF treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature and present experience regarding ARF in the aged.
- To emphasize the importance of preventive measures and appropriate treatment strategies for ARF in elderly patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review.
- Clinical experience sharing.
Main Results:
- No technical limitations exist to deny ARF treatment based on age.
- Reversible renal hypoperfusion is the primary cause of pre-renal ARF in the elderly.
- Acute behavioral changes associated with ARF in the elderly are typically reversible.
Conclusions:
- Treatment for ARF should not be denied based on patient age.
- Preventing ARF through timely diagnosis and management of renal hypoperfusion is crucial.
- Careful drug selection and dosage adjustments using creatinine clearance are recommended to avoid nephrotoxicity.