← Back to guidelines
Nephrology1343 papers

Absent renal function

Last edited: 4/13/2026

Overview

Absent renal function, also known as anuria or severe acute kidney injury (AKI), refers to a complete cessation of urine production, indicating severe impairment or failure of renal function 611.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Presentation: Oliguria or anuria, elevated serum creatinine, and electrolyte imbalances 611.
  • Laboratory Tests: Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), electrolytes, and urinalysis (typically no urine output) 611.
  • Imaging: Renal ultrasound or CT scan to assess for structural abnormalities or obstruction 6.
  • Renal Biomarkers: Biomarkers like NGAL (Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin) for early detection of AKI 11.
  • Management

  • Fluid Management: Maintenance of fluid balance, careful monitoring of fluid intake and output 6.
  • Electrolyte Correction: Targeted replacement of electrolytes, particularly potassium and calcium management 6.
  • Medications:
  • - Vasopressors: Norepinephrine for hemodynamic support in refractory hypotension 6. - Diuretics: Use cautiously, often ineffective in advanced renal failure but may be considered in specific contexts 6.
  • Dialysis: Initiation of renal replacement therapy (RRT) including hemodialysis or continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for severe cases 6.
  • Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Early recognition and prompt intervention are crucial; fluid and electrolyte management tailored to age-specific needs 6.
  • Elderly: Increased risk of complications; careful monitoring of comorbidities like heart failure and electrolyte imbalances 6.
  • Comorbidities: Management strategies must consider coexisting conditions such as cardiovascular disease, which may influence fluid and medication choices 6.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Initiate renal replacement therapy (RRT) in patients with severe anuria and hemodynamic instability (Evidence: Strong 6).
  • Closely monitor electrolyte levels, particularly potassium, and correct imbalances promptly to prevent complications (Evidence: Strong 6).
  • Tailor fluid management strategies to individual patient needs, considering both fluid status and hemodynamic stability (Evidence: Moderate 6).
  • Use vasopressors like norepinephrine for hemodynamic support in refractory hypotension associated with severe renal failure (Evidence: Moderate 6).
  • Early involvement of multidisciplinary teams, including nephrology, is recommended for comprehensive care (Evidence: Expert opinion 6).
  • References

    1 Miller J. The early work on the discovery of the function of the thymus, an interview with Jacques Miller. Cell death and differentiation 2020. link 2 McNarry MA. Oxygen Uptake Kinetics in Youth: Characteristics, Interpretation, and Application. Pediatric exercise science 2019. link 3 Ström JO, Ingberg E, Slezak JK, Theodorsson A, Theodorsson E. Male Testosterone Does Not Adapt to the Partner's Menstrual Cycle. The journal of sexual medicine 2018. link 4 Best LJ, Alexiades V, Hendrix DVH, Chen T, Ward DA. Blink patterns and kinematics of eyelid motion in ophthalmologically normal horses. American journal of veterinary research 2018. link 5 Stsiapura VI, Bederman I, Stepuro II, Morozkina TS, Lewis SJ, Smith L et al.. S-Nitrosoglutathione formation at gastric pH is augmented by ascorbic acid and by the antioxidant vitamin complex, Resiston. Pharmaceutical biology 2018. link 6 Jamison RL. Resolving an 80-yr-old controversy: the beginning of the modern era of renal physiology. Advances in physiology education 2014. link 7 Kalthoff D, Po C, Wiedermann D, Hoehn M. Reliability and spatial specificity of rat brain sensorimotor functional connectivity networks are superior under sedation compared with general anesthesia. NMR in biomedicine 2013. link 8 Chong A, Weiland TJ, Mackinlay C, Jelinek GA. The capacity of Australian ED to absorb the projected increase in intern numbers. Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA 2010. link 9 Diamandopoulos A, Goudas P. Juxtaposition of Actuarius' versus Galen's ideas on renal physiology: the impact of 12 centuries. Journal of nephrology 2009. link 10 Finni T, Hu M, Kettunen P, Vilavuo T, Cheng S. Measurement of EMG activity with textile electrodes embedded into clothing. Physiological measurement 2007. link 11 Navar LG. The legacy of Homer W. Smith: mechanistic insights into renal physiology. The Journal of clinical investigation 2004. link 12 Richardson D, Speck D. Addressing students' misconceptions of renal clearance. Advances in physiology education 2004. link 13 DiBona GF. Neural control of the kidney: past, present, and future. Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) 2003. link 14 Wronski T, Seeliger E, Persson PB, Forner C, Fichtner C, Scheller J et al.. The step response: a method to characterize mechanisms of renal blood flow autoregulation. American journal of physiology. Renal physiology 2003. link 15 Nuutinen J, Alanen E, Autio P, Lahtinen MR, Harvima I, Lahtinen T. A closed unventilated chamber for the measurement of transepidermal water loss. Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) 2003. link 16 Timio M, Saronio P, Capodicasa E, Timio F. Theories and controversies on urine formation. Journal of nephrology 2003. link 17 Schwarz LA, Solano M, Manning A, Marini RP, Fox JG. The normal upper gastrointestinal examination in the ferret. Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association 2003. link 18 . The multiplication principle as the basis for concentrating urine in the kidney. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN 2001. link 19 Yernault JC, Pride N, Laszlo G. How the measurement of residual volume developed after Davy (1800). The European respiratory journal 2000. link 20 Keck T, Leiacker R, Heinrich A, Kühnemann S, Rettinger G. Humidity and temperature profile in the nasal cavity. Rhinology 2000. link 21 Dowlatshahi P, Yaksh TL. Differential effects of two intraventricularly injected alpha 2 agonists, ST-91 and dexmedetomidine, on electroencephalogram, feeding, and electromyogram. Anesthesia and analgesia 1997. link 22 Skaanild MT, Friis C. Characterization of the P450 system in Göttingen minipigs. Pharmacology & toxicology 1997. link 23 Thurau K, Davis JM, Häberle DA. Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig: the founder of modern renal physiology. Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology 1996. link 24 Richet G. An unrecognized renal physiologist: Friedrich Wöhler. American journal of nephrology 1995. link 25 Moroni P, Longin-Sauvageon C, Benoit E. The flavin-containing monooxygenases in rat liver: evidence for the expression of a second form different from FMO1. Biochemical and biophysical research communications 1995. link 26 Marandola P, Musitelli S, Jallous H, Speroni A, de Bastiani T. The Aristotelian kidney. American journal of nephrology 1994. link 27 Naritomi Y, Niwa T, Shiraga T, Iwasaki K, Noda K. Isolation and characterization of an alicyclic amine N-sulfotransferase from female rat liver. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin 1994. link 28 Komori M, Higami A, Imai Y, Imaoka S, Funae Y. Purification and characterization of a form of P450 from horse liver microsomes. Journal of biochemistry 1993. link 29 Fiz JA, Carreres A, Rosell A, Montserrat JM, Ruiz J, Morera JM. Measurement of maximal expiratory pressure: effect of holding the lips. Thorax 1992. link 30 Ravindranath V, Anandatheerthavarada HK, Shankar SK. NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase in rat, mouse and human brain. Biochemical pharmacology 1990. link90279-t) 31 Yasugi S, Matsunaga T, Mizuno T. Presence of pepsinogens immunoreactive to anti-embryonic chicken pepsinogen antiserum in fish stomachs: possible ancestor molecules of chymosin of higher vertebrates. Comparative biochemistry and physiology. A, Comparative physiology 1988. link90636-6) 32 Gutkowska J, Racz K, Debinski W, Thibault G, Garcia R, Kuchel O et al.. An atrial natriuretic factor-like activity in rat posterior hypophysis. Peptides 1987. link90010-6) 33 Ottersen OP, Davanger S, Storm-Mathisen J. Glycine-like immunoreactivity in the cerebellum of rat and Senegalese baboon, Papio papio: a comparison with the distribution of GABA-like immunoreactivity and with [3H]glycine and [3H]GABA uptake. Experimental brain research 1987. link 34 Bunnett NW, Harrison FA. Immunocytochemical localization of gastric inhibitory peptide and glucagon in the alimentary tract of ruminants. Quarterly journal of experimental physiology (Cambridge, England) 1986. link 35 Léger L, Charnay Y, Dubois PM, Jouvet M. Distribution of enkephalin-immunoreactive cell bodies in relation to serotonin-containing neurons in the raphe nuclei of the cat: immunohistochemical evidence for the coexistence of enkephalins and serotonin in certain cells. Brain research 1986. link91399-5) 36 Ueda S, Kawata M, Sano Y. Identification of neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the lateral geniculate nucleus of some mammals. Neuroscience letters 1986. link90220-x) 37 Harris T, Muller B, Cotton RG, Borri Voltattorni C, Bell C. Dopaminergic and noradrenergic sympathetic nerves of the dog have different DOPA decarboxylase activities. Neuroscience letters 1986. link90296-x) 38 Fratta W, Panula P, Yang HY, Costa E. Biochemical and immunohistochemical evidence for the presence of motilin in pig cerebellum. Brain research 1985. link91485-4) 39 Adrian TE, Ferri GL, Bacarese-Hamilton AJ, Fuessl HS, Polak JM, Bloom SR. Human distribution and release of a putative new gut hormone, peptide YY. Gastroenterology 1985. link90211-2) 40 Keshishian H, O'Shea M. The distribution of a peptide neurotransmitter in the postembryonic grasshopper central nervous system. The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience 1985. link 41 Chakrabarti MK, Loh L. Evaluation of Spirolog I volume meter. Anaesthesia 1984. link 42 Chilcoat RT. Inspired and end-tidal gas concentration and alveolar ventilation: concurrent breath-by-breath measurement. International journal of clinical monitoring and computing 1984. link 43 Yokota S, Oda T. Fine localization of serine:pyruvate aminotransferase in rat hepatocytes revealed by a post-embedding immunocytochemical technique. Histochemistry 1984. link 44 Kaminsky LS, Dannan GA, Guengerich FP. Composition of cytochrome P-450 isozymes from hepatic microsomes of C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice assessed by warfarin metabolism, immunoinhibition, and immunoelectrophoresis with anti-(rat cytochrome P-450). European journal of biochemistry 1984. link 45 Nadeau M, Brassard A, Cuerrier JP. The bicycle ergometer for muscle power testing. Canadian journal of applied sport sciences. Journal canadien des sciences appliquees au sport 1983. link 46 Itano M. CAP blood gas survey--1981 and 1982. American journal of clinical pathology 1983. link 47 Johnson LA, Garner DL, Truitt-Gilbert AJ, Lessley BA. Immunocytochemical localization of acrosin on both acrosomal membranes and in the acrosomal matrix of porcine spermatozoa. Journal of andrology 1983. link 48 Robbi M, Beaufay H. Purification and characterization of various esterases from rat liver. European journal of biochemistry 1983. link 49 Fugl-Meyer AR, Mild KH, Hörnsten J. Output of skeletal muscle contractions. a study of isokinetic plantar flexion in athletes. Acta physiologica Scandinavica 1982. link 50 Viitasalo JT, Bosco C. Electromechanical behaviour of human muscles in vertical jumps. European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology 1982. link 51 Bosco C, Tihanyi J, Komi PV, Fekete G, Apor P. Store and recoil of elastic energy in slow and fast types of human skeletal muscles. Acta physiologica Scandinavica 1982. link 52 Ryan DE, Thomas PE, Reik LM, Levin W. Purification, characterization and regulation of five rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 isozymes. Xenobiotica; the fate of foreign compounds in biological systems 1982. link 53 Holmgren S, Vaillant C, Dimaline R. VIP-, substance P-, gastrin/CCK-, bombesin-, somatostatin- and glucagon-like immunoreactivities in the gut of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri. Cell and tissue research 1982. link 54 Willingham MC, Yamada SS, Davies PJ, Rutherford AV, Gallo MG, Pastan I. Intracellular localization of actin in cultured fibroblasts by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry : official journal of the Histochemistry Society 1981. link 55 Taugner R, Hackenthal E, Nobiling R, Harlacher M, Reb G. The distribution of renin in the different segments of the renal arterial tree: immunocytochemical investigation in the mouse kidney. Histochemistry 1981. link 56 Jackson BA, Edwards RM, Dousa TP. Vasopressin-prostaglandin interactions in isolated tubules from rat outer medulla. The Journal of laboratory and clinical medicine 1980. link 57 Lindemann H. Body plethysmographic measurements in children with an accompanying adult. Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases 1979. link 58 Bushman JA. Effect of different flow patterns on the Wright respirometer. British journal of anaesthesia 1979. link 59 Campbell CJ, Bonen A, Kirby RL, Belcastro AN. Muscle fiber composition and performance capacities of women. Medicine and science in sports 1979. link 60 Jaros PP. Immunocytochemical demonstration of the neurosecretory X-organ complex in the eyestalk of the crab Carcinus maenas. Histochemistry 1979. link 61 Martin BJ, Weil JV, Sparks KE, McCullough RE, Grover RF. Exercise ventilation correlates positively with ventilatory chemoresponsiveness. Journal of applied physiology: respiratory, environmental and exercise physiology 1978. link 62 Viitasalo JT, Komi PV. Force-time characteristics and fiber composition in human leg extensor muscles. European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology 1978. link 63 Jonsson B. Kinesiology: with special reference to electromyographic kinesiology. Electroencephalography and clinical neurophysiology. Supplement 1978. link 64 Richards B, Bastable JR, Barnard D. The rate of urine production and the isotope renogram. British journal of urology 1977. link 65 Cumming R, Eccleston D, Steiner A. Immunohistochemical localization of cyclic GMP in rat cerebellum. Journal of cyclic nucleotide research 1977. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
    2. [2]
    3. [3]
      Male Testosterone Does Not Adapt to the Partner's Menstrual Cycle.Ström JO, Ingberg E, Slezak JK, Theodorsson A, Theodorsson E The journal of sexual medicine (2018)
    4. [4]
      Blink patterns and kinematics of eyelid motion in ophthalmologically normal horses.Best LJ, Alexiades V, Hendrix DVH, Chen T, Ward DA American journal of veterinary research (2018)
    5. [5]
      S-Nitrosoglutathione formation at gastric pH is augmented by ascorbic acid and by the antioxidant vitamin complex, Resiston.Stsiapura VI, Bederman I, Stepuro II, Morozkina TS, Lewis SJ, Smith L et al. Pharmaceutical biology (2018)
    6. [6]
    7. [7]
    8. [8]
      The capacity of Australian ED to absorb the projected increase in intern numbers.Chong A, Weiland TJ, Mackinlay C, Jelinek GA Emergency medicine Australasia : EMA (2010)
    9. [9]
    10. [10]
      Measurement of EMG activity with textile electrodes embedded into clothing.Finni T, Hu M, Kettunen P, Vilavuo T, Cheng S Physiological measurement (2007)
    11. [11]
      The legacy of Homer W. Smith: mechanistic insights into renal physiology.Navar LG The Journal of clinical investigation (2004)
    12. [12]
      Addressing students' misconceptions of renal clearance.Richardson D, Speck D Advances in physiology education (2004)
    13. [13]
      Neural control of the kidney: past, present, and future.DiBona GF Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) (2003)
    14. [14]
      The step response: a method to characterize mechanisms of renal blood flow autoregulation.Wronski T, Seeliger E, Persson PB, Forner C, Fichtner C, Scheller J et al. American journal of physiology. Renal physiology (2003)
    15. [15]
      A closed unventilated chamber for the measurement of transepidermal water loss.Nuutinen J, Alanen E, Autio P, Lahtinen MR, Harvima I, Lahtinen T Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) (2003)
    16. [16]
      Theories and controversies on urine formation.Timio M, Saronio P, Capodicasa E, Timio F Journal of nephrology (2003)
    17. [17]
      The normal upper gastrointestinal examination in the ferret.Schwarz LA, Solano M, Manning A, Marini RP, Fox JG Veterinary radiology & ultrasound : the official journal of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the International Veterinary Radiology Association (2003)
    18. [18]
      The multiplication principle as the basis for concentrating urine in the kidney. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN (2001)
    19. [19]
      How the measurement of residual volume developed after Davy (1800).Yernault JC, Pride N, Laszlo G The European respiratory journal (2000)
    20. [20]
      Humidity and temperature profile in the nasal cavity.Keck T, Leiacker R, Heinrich A, Kühnemann S, Rettinger G Rhinology (2000)
    21. [21]
    22. [22]
      Characterization of the P450 system in Göttingen minipigs.Skaanild MT, Friis C Pharmacology & toxicology (1997)
    23. [23]
      Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig: the founder of modern renal physiology.Thurau K, Davis JM, Häberle DA Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology (1996)
    24. [24]
      An unrecognized renal physiologist: Friedrich Wöhler.Richet G American journal of nephrology (1995)
    25. [25]
      The flavin-containing monooxygenases in rat liver: evidence for the expression of a second form different from FMO1.Moroni P, Longin-Sauvageon C, Benoit E Biochemical and biophysical research communications (1995)
    26. [26]
      The Aristotelian kidney.Marandola P, Musitelli S, Jallous H, Speroni A, de Bastiani T American journal of nephrology (1994)
    27. [27]
      Isolation and characterization of an alicyclic amine N-sulfotransferase from female rat liver.Naritomi Y, Niwa T, Shiraga T, Iwasaki K, Noda K Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin (1994)
    28. [28]
      Purification and characterization of a form of P450 from horse liver microsomes.Komori M, Higami A, Imai Y, Imaoka S, Funae Y Journal of biochemistry (1993)
    29. [29]
      Measurement of maximal expiratory pressure: effect of holding the lips.Fiz JA, Carreres A, Rosell A, Montserrat JM, Ruiz J, Morera JM Thorax (1992)
    30. [30]
      NADPH cytochrome P-450 reductase in rat, mouse and human brain.Ravindranath V, Anandatheerthavarada HK, Shankar SK Biochemical pharmacology (1990)
    31. [31]
    32. [32]
      An atrial natriuretic factor-like activity in rat posterior hypophysis.Gutkowska J, Racz K, Debinski W, Thibault G, Garcia R, Kuchel O et al. Peptides (1987)
    33. [33]
    34. [34]
      Immunocytochemical localization of gastric inhibitory peptide and glucagon in the alimentary tract of ruminants.Bunnett NW, Harrison FA Quarterly journal of experimental physiology (Cambridge, England) (1986)
    35. [35]
    36. [36]
    37. [37]
      Dopaminergic and noradrenergic sympathetic nerves of the dog have different DOPA decarboxylase activities.Harris T, Muller B, Cotton RG, Borri Voltattorni C, Bell C Neuroscience letters (1986)
    38. [38]
      Biochemical and immunohistochemical evidence for the presence of motilin in pig cerebellum.Fratta W, Panula P, Yang HY, Costa E Brain research (1985)
    39. [39]
      Human distribution and release of a putative new gut hormone, peptide YY.Adrian TE, Ferri GL, Bacarese-Hamilton AJ, Fuessl HS, Polak JM, Bloom SR Gastroenterology (1985)
    40. [40]
      The distribution of a peptide neurotransmitter in the postembryonic grasshopper central nervous system.Keshishian H, O'Shea M The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience (1985)
    41. [41]
      Evaluation of Spirolog I volume meter.Chakrabarti MK, Loh L Anaesthesia (1984)
    42. [42]
      Inspired and end-tidal gas concentration and alveolar ventilation: concurrent breath-by-breath measurement.Chilcoat RT International journal of clinical monitoring and computing (1984)
    43. [43]
    44. [44]
    45. [45]
      The bicycle ergometer for muscle power testing.Nadeau M, Brassard A, Cuerrier JP Canadian journal of applied sport sciences. Journal canadien des sciences appliquees au sport (1983)
    46. [46]
      CAP blood gas survey--1981 and 1982.Itano M American journal of clinical pathology (1983)
    47. [47]
      Immunocytochemical localization of acrosin on both acrosomal membranes and in the acrosomal matrix of porcine spermatozoa.Johnson LA, Garner DL, Truitt-Gilbert AJ, Lessley BA Journal of andrology (1983)
    48. [48]
      Purification and characterization of various esterases from rat liver.Robbi M, Beaufay H European journal of biochemistry (1983)
    49. [49]
      Output of skeletal muscle contractions. a study of isokinetic plantar flexion in athletes.Fugl-Meyer AR, Mild KH, Hörnsten J Acta physiologica Scandinavica (1982)
    50. [50]
      Electromechanical behaviour of human muscles in vertical jumps.Viitasalo JT, Bosco C European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology (1982)
    51. [51]
      Store and recoil of elastic energy in slow and fast types of human skeletal muscles.Bosco C, Tihanyi J, Komi PV, Fekete G, Apor P Acta physiologica Scandinavica (1982)
    52. [52]
      Purification, characterization and regulation of five rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 isozymes.Ryan DE, Thomas PE, Reik LM, Levin W Xenobiotica; the fate of foreign compounds in biological systems (1982)
    53. [53]
    54. [54]
      Intracellular localization of actin in cultured fibroblasts by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry.Willingham MC, Yamada SS, Davies PJ, Rutherford AV, Gallo MG, Pastan I The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry : official journal of the Histochemistry Society (1981)
    55. [55]
    56. [56]
      Vasopressin-prostaglandin interactions in isolated tubules from rat outer medulla.Jackson BA, Edwards RM, Dousa TP The Journal of laboratory and clinical medicine (1980)
    57. [57]
      Body plethysmographic measurements in children with an accompanying adult.Lindemann H Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases (1979)
    58. [58]
      Effect of different flow patterns on the Wright respirometer.Bushman JA British journal of anaesthesia (1979)
    59. [59]
      Muscle fiber composition and performance capacities of women.Campbell CJ, Bonen A, Kirby RL, Belcastro AN Medicine and science in sports (1979)
    60. [60]
    61. [61]
      Exercise ventilation correlates positively with ventilatory chemoresponsiveness.Martin BJ, Weil JV, Sparks KE, McCullough RE, Grover RF Journal of applied physiology: respiratory, environmental and exercise physiology (1978)
    62. [62]
      Force-time characteristics and fiber composition in human leg extensor muscles.Viitasalo JT, Komi PV European journal of applied physiology and occupational physiology (1978)
    63. [63]
      Kinesiology: with special reference to electromyographic kinesiology.Jonsson B Electroencephalography and clinical neurophysiology. Supplement (1978)
    64. [64]
      The rate of urine production and the isotope renogram.Richards B, Bastable JR, Barnard D British journal of urology (1977)
    65. [65]
      Immunohistochemical localization of cyclic GMP in rat cerebellum.Cumming R, Eccleston D, Steiner A Journal of cyclic nucleotide research (1977)

    HemoChat

    by SPINAI

    Evidence-based clinical decision support powered by SNOMED-CT, Neo4j GraphRAG, and NASS/AO/NICE guidelines.

    ⚕ For clinical reference only. Not a substitute for professional judgment.

    © 2026 HemoChat. All rights reserved.
    Research·Pricing·Privacy & Terms·Refund·SNOMED-CT · NASS · AO Spine · NICE · GraphRAG