management of acute renal failure

Last reviewed 10/2022

Seek specialist advice and review.

• immediate referral is indicated if (1)
  • suspected acute renal failure (ARF) (acute kidney injury (AKI))
  • ARF superimposed on chronic kidney disease (CKD)
  • newly detected ERF (GFR < 15 mL/min/1.73 m2)

The two most immediate aspects of management are treatment of any hyperkalaemia (danger of arrhythmias) or fluid overload (danger of pulmonary oedema).

The overall management of a patient with acute renal failure is divided into various management objectives:

• treatment of cause of acute renal failure
• management of fluid balance
• management of electrolyte balance
• management of uraemia
• control of acidosis
• general management:
• constant supervision, dedicated nursing care
• control of infection - choice of drugs must take into account decreased renal function

Notes:

• pharmacological management (3):
  • loop diuretics should not routinely be used to treat acute kidney injury
  • loop diuretics should be considered for treating fluid overload or oedema while:
    • an adult, child or young person is awaiting renal replacement therapy, or
    • renal function is recovering in an adult, child or young person not receiving renal replacement therapy
    • low-dose dopamine should not be offered to treat acute kidney injury
• fluid replacement prescriptions should be tailored to the needs of the patient
  • potassium containing solutions (Hartmann's and Ringer's Lactate) should be used cautiously in patients who develop progressive AKI, due to the potential risk of exacerbating hyperkalaemia
• monitoring fluid status
  • important to monitor the patient's volume status throughout the episode of AKI
    • an essential part of patient management in the recovery phase. Patients may develop a polyuric phase during which they are at increased risk of developing a negative fluid balance and electrolyte disturbance including hypernatraemia and hypokalaemia
    • needs to be careful consideration of when to reintroduce medications such as antihypertensives and diuretics

     

Reference:

• The Renal Association (May 2006).UK CKD Guidelines
• UK Renal Association (2011). Acute Kidney Injury
• NICE (August 2013). Acute kidney injury - Prevention, detection and management of acute kidney injury up to the point of renal replacement therapy