[Acute renal failure].

Acute renal failure is defined as a multifactorial syndrome that occurs--depending of definition and selection of patients--in 2%-25% of all ICU patients. Most frequent in surgery (approximately 70%), ARF is caused by septic complications. Renal replacement therapy is managed today by dialysis, hemofiltration or the combination of both. Lethality of ARF ranges from 50% to 80%. High lethality rates are not related to ARF itself, but to uncontrolled septic MOF. The consequences for surgical ICU patients are: First of all, protective measures are mandatory. If ARF occurs, septic complications have to be considered. Renal replacement therapy has to be integrated into the management of septic MOF.