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This refers to reduced urine output, usually defined as <400 mL/d. Oligoanuria refers to a more marked reduction in urine output, i.e., <100 mL/d. Anuria indicates the complete absence of urine output. Oliguria most often occurs in the setting of volume depletion and/or renal hypoperfusion, resulting in “prerenal azotemia” and acute renal failure (Chap. 137. Sleep Apnea). Anuria can be caused by complete bilateral urinary tract obstruction; a vascular catastrophe (dissection or arterial occlusion); renal vein thrombosis; renal cortical necrosis; severe acute tubular necrosis; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and/or angiotensin receptor blockers; and hypovolemic, cardiogenic, or septic shock. Oliguria is never normal, because at least 400 mL of maximally concentrated urine must be produced to excrete the obligate daily osmolar load.

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Section 3. Common Patient Presentations