What causes Acute Renal Failure?

There are many possible causes of sudden kidney failure because there are three anatomical sites for problems to occur in the renal system: before the blood enters the kidneys, within the kidney , and after the urine is processed by the kidney and enters the ureters.

Sudden kidney failure can result from problems with blood flow to the kidney, which can be caused by blood loss or dehydration. It can also result from conditions such as infections that interfere with the work of the kidney.

The most common cause of sudden kidney failure occurs inside the kidney. Known as acute tubular necrosis, it is the death of the cells inside the kidney that act as the blood's filter. These cells die when they are deprived of oxygen, often due to surgical complications or the side effects of certain medicines. Physical problems, such as swollen prostate glands or kidney stones that prevent urine from moving easily out of the kidney into the ureters, can also cause sudden kidney failure.