The Cardiovascular
ToolsCalculators

Fractional excretion of urea (FEUrea)

Prerenal vs intrinsic AKI, valid after diuretics.

Fractional excretion of urea (FEUrea)
Urine urea nitrogen
mg/dL
Serum urea nitrogen (BUN)
mg/dL
Urine creatinine
mg/dL
Serum creatinine
Complete the fields above to see the result.

When to use

  • Distinguishing prerenal azotaemia from intrinsic renal failure, especially when the patient has received diuretics (which invalidate FENa).

Formula

FEUrea = (urine urea x serum creatinine) / (serum urea x urine creatinine) x 100. Units cancel, so use any consistent unit for each pair.

Pearls and pitfalls

  • More reliable than FENa in diuretic-treated patients because urea handling is less affected by loop and thiazide diuretics.

References

  1. Carvounis CP, et al. Kidney Int. 2002;62(6):2223-9.