Recent advances and developments in the treatment of acute renal failure

Acute renal failure is commonly encountered in contemporary medical practice. The most severe form of acute renal failure is often referred to as acute tubular necrosis (ATN). The ATN syndrome results in loss of most kidney function for a period of several days to a few weeks. The current mortality rate of ATN is similar to 50% and has not changed significantly in recent decades. Most ATN results from either ischaemic or nephrotoxic damage to the kidney. Subsequently, either apoptosis or necrosis results in death of renal tubular epithelium and loss of most renal function. This review will focus on several patents that exhibit diverse strategies to prevent, attenuate or hasten recovery from ATN.