Acute kidney injury is potentially a reversible form of kidney disease, that may recover over time with or without dialysis. It can occur due to causes like acute gastroenteritis, cardiac causes, infections, poisonings, drug-related causes, autoimmune diseases, and kidney stones, among others. A drop in blood pressure due to any cause or an obstruction from the kidney to lower down can also temporarily affect kidney functioning. The early identification of a reversible cause of AKI is important for the prevention of further damage to the kidneys.
AKI is reversible in most cases, though some may not show signs of recovery. In the latter cases, one may need to do a biopsy to find out the cause of renal failure, the extent of damage and the possibility of reversal of the disease.
There is a type of acute kidney injury called Rapidly Progressive Renal Failure (RPRF) wherein the kidney functions deteriorate rapidly over hours. Such patients need urgent dialysis and kidney biopsy to know the cause of RPRF and initiate treatment accordingly.
