Acute renal failure is characterized by a rapid fall in the glomerular filtration rate. The most common clinical manifestation is an abrupt and sustained rise in creatinine and urea. Life threatening consequences include volume overload, hyperkalaemia and metabolic acidosis. Acute renal failure is both common and cost-ly and carries a high morbidity and mortality. As it is often preventable, identification of patients at risk and the institution of appropriate preventivě measures are critical. In incipient or established acute renal failure, rapid recognition and treatment may prevent irreversible loss of nephrons.

        Key words: glomerular filtration rate, diagnosis, treatment.