Anuric acute renal failure caused by dextran 40 administration.

Dextran 40 is largely used in clinical medicine as a plasma substitute because of its beneficial effects on the microcirculation and antithrombogenic properties. An unusual adverse reaction of dextran administration is oligoanuric acute renal failure. We report two cases of anuric ARF induced by dextran 40.

Peculiar electrolytic and hormonal abnormalities in acute renal failure due to leptospirosis.

Hypokalemia in leptospirosis acute renal failure (ARF) was studied in nine patients with severe leptospirosis ARF and five patients with moderate leptospirosis ARF and compared with five patients with severe acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and eight healthy individuals. Urinary volumes of both the severe and moderate leptospirosis groups were higher than those of the severe ATN group. Leptospirosis groups had serum potassium levels lower than those found in the healthy and severe ATN groups.

Late evaluation of glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria, and urinary acidification after acute tubular necrosis.

Fourteen patients were studied 2 to 36 months after acute tubular necrosis. It was observed that 43% of the patients had decreased glomerular filtration rate. These patients were older and had lower urinary excretion of ammonium and titratable acidity.

IgA nephropathy: acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis, and features of postinfectious acute glomerulonephritis.

From 1976 to 1987 on our Nephrological Unit, 57 patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN) proven by renal biopsies were found. Three of those presented with acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and glomerulitis, without extrarenal predisposing cause in two; and showed, as prominent manifestation, a severe acute renal failure syndrome (ARFS), needing dialytic treatment. All three had hematuria, which was macroscopic in two and microscopic in one.