ACUTE RENAL FAILURE IN ELDERLY PEOPLE: DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

Abstract

Acute renal failure (ARF) in the elderly is a highly clinically relevant condition characterized by rapid loss of renal function, resulting in severe complications that increase mortality and morbidity in this vulnerable population. This study aims to perform an integrative review of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to ARF in the elderly, highlighting challenges and recent advances. The literature review identified that early diagnosis of ARF in the elderly is hampered by the atypicality of symptoms and the limitation of traditional markers of renal function, such as serum creatinine, leading to the need for more sensitive biomarkers, such as cystatin C and NGAL. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) remains a fundamental intervention for severe cases, although the risk of complications in the elderly is high. In addition, careful management of volume replacement and polypharmacy, with the suspension of nephrotoxic drugs, emerges as an essential strategy to prevent the progression of ARF. It is concluded that personalized interventions, combined with continuous monitoring of renal function, are crucial to improving clinical outcomes. Implementing protocols that integrate emerging technologies and multidisciplinary approaches can promote advances in the care of this population.