Thirty-eight patients with acute renal failure following operation for aortic aneurysm were analyzed retrospectively in search of predictors of survival. Of 14 potential predictor variablesonsidered, none taken singly were significant; however, the combination of age, operative interruption of renal blood flow and prior renal dysfunction served as a significant predictor, p less than 0.05. Low survival rates occurred if the patient was over 70 years of age, if renal blood flow required interruption or if preoperative renal impairment was present. High survival rates occured in patients less than 70 years of age who had no interruption of renal blood flow and who had normal preoperative renal function. Although the total mortality rate of these patients with acute renal failure was 61 per cent, only one of 12 patients with favorable prognostic indicators died. Acute renal failure following aortic aneurysm repair has no worse prognosis that that stated in the literature for acute renal failure following other surgical procedures. A virorous therapeutic approach should be maintained despite the advent of complications.