L'insuffisance rénale aiguë

This review summarizes the current knowledge about acute renal failure (ARF). It begins by reminding the different etiologies and the biological elements to differentiate the diagnosis between functional and organic ARF. It stresses the importance to classify ARF according to its magnitude, taking into account both serum creatinine concentrations and in urinary output modifications. It emphasizes the importance of new very interesting biological markers such as NGAL (neutrophil-gelatinase associated lipocalin) in order to have an early diagnosis of ARF before the modification of sérum créatinine, although the use of these markers at present time are restricted to certain high risk patients. Finally, it underlines the importance of evaluating the kidney function 2 months after the time of ARF, in order to detect those who having recovered a normal renal function from those who having begun or deteriorated a chronic renal disease, who should be managed according to appropriate guidelines.