What is the most common cause of intrinsic renal failure?

The most common cause of intrinsic renal failure is ischemic injury. This type of acute kidney injury occurs when there is a problem within the kidneys themselves, often due to a reduction in blood flow or oxygen to the renal tissues, leading to cell damage and impaired kidney function.

Ischemic injury can result from several conditions, including severe hypotension, shock, or other situations that compromise renal perfusion. This is particularly relevant in acute settings where conditions leading to reduced blood flow, like sepsis or severe dehydration, can quickly escalate the risk of intrinsic renal failure.

Although other factors such as dehydration can lead to pre-renal causes of kidney injury, they are not classified as intrinsic renal failure since the kidney structure is not damaged directly. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension can lead to chronic kidney disease or glomerular injury over time but are not the most common acute causes of intrinsic renal failure. Understanding the etiologies of intrinsic renal failure is crucial in acute care settings to aid in early diagnosis and management.