Acute renal failure in the PACU.

Acute renal failure (ARF) in the PACU can lead to serious morbidity or even death. The incidence of acute renal failure appears to be increasing. This review article is intended to provide the staff in the PACU with relatively easy means to recognize the development of ARF, and provide recommendations for prompt and intensive management. Existence of renal dysfunction, complex surgical procedures that require cardiopulmonary bypass, and vascular surgery involving the aorta are associated with a high incidence of ARF. In spite of the improved overall care of the patient in the PACU, the occurrence of ARF is associated with a very high likelihood of morbidity and mortality. Prompt recognition of the ARF and aggressive management in the PACU may improve the patient's chances of survival. Large-scale, prospective, randomized clinical trials in the PACU setting are needed to determine the most effective management plan. This is a U.S. government work. There are no restrictions on its use.