Experience of 26 acute renal failure cases.

Data from 26 patients in acute renal failure biopsy have been analysed to define the highest risk factors and to evaluated the reversibility of renal functions. The overall mortality rate was 38 per cent. The mortality (69%) in postsurgical and traumatic cases was significantly higher than that (8%) in cases of obstetrical and medical origin. Survivors and nonsurvivors did not differ in time of initiation of dialysis. There was an increased incidence of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in those who died. A serious underlying disease, infection and gastrointestinal hemorrhage were mainly responsible for deaths. Five of the 16 survivors were left with renal failure and two of them required chronic hemodialysis.