ATN

Medical abbreviation · Nephrology & Urology

ATN
Stands forAcute tubular necrosis
CategoriesMedical

ATN stands for Acute tubular necrosis, a nephrology & urology abbreviation.

The most common cause of intrinsic acute kidney injury in hospitals, in which tubular cells are damaged by prolonged low blood flow (ischemia) or toxins such as aminoglycosides, contrast, myoglobin and cisplatin. Urine microscopy classically shows muddy brown granular casts.

Example: Oliguric AKI after cardiac arrest, muddy brown casts, FENa 3.2 percent: ischemic ATN.

Usage notes

Unlike prerenal azotemia, ATN does not reverse quickly with fluids, because the tubules must regenerate over days to weeks. A fractional excretion of sodium above 2 percent supports ATN. Many patients recover enough to stop dialysis. Despite the name, actual necrosis is often patchy on biopsy.

More nephrology & urology abbreviations

  • ADPKD – Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
  • AIN – Acute interstitial nephritis
  • AKI – Acute kidney injury
  • APD – Automated peritoneal dialysis
  • ARF – Acute renal failure
  • ASB – Asymptomatic bacteriuria
  • AVF – Arteriovenous fistula
  • AVG – Arteriovenous graft
  • BOO – Bladder outlet obstruction
  • BPH – Benign prostatic hyperplasia
  • CAPD – Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis
  • CIC – Clean intermittent catheterization

See all 71 nephrology & urology abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.