Acute tubular necrosis

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Kidney anatomy

Kidney - blood and urine flow

Acute tubular necrosis is a kidney disorder involving damage to the tubule cells of the kidneys, resulting in acute kidney failure.

Necrosis - renal tubular; ATN; Necrosis - acute tubular

Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is caused by lack of oxygen to the kidney tissues (ischemia of the kidneys).

The internal structures of the kidney, particularly the tissues of the kidney tubule, become damaged or destroyed. ATN is one of the most common structural changes that can lead to acute renal failure.

ATN is one of the most common causes of kidney failure in hospitalized patients. Risks for acute tubular necrosis include:

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• Blood transfusion reaction
• Injury or trauma that damages the muscles
• Recent major surgery
• Septic shock or other forms of shock
• Severe low blood pressure (hypotension) that lasts longer than 30 minutes

Liver disease and kidney damage caused by diabetes (diabetic nephropathy) may make a person more susceptible to the condition.

ATN can be caused by:

• Exposure to medications that are toxic to the kidneys (such as aminoglycoside antibiotics)
• Antifungal agents (such as amphotericin)
• Dye used for x-ray (radiographic) studies

Review Date: 08/13/2009
Reviewed By: Parul Patel, MD, Private Practice specializing in Nephrology and Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation, Affiliated with California Pacific Medical Center, Department of Transplantation, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).