ABSTRACT. This clinical study assessed the etiological factors implicated in acute kidney injury (AKI). AKI has a complicated etiology with many serious complications. Understanding the interactions among these factors will help physicians treat patients with AKI. This retrospective study analyzed the etiological factors and assessed the incidence and outcome of 123 patients with AKI and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The general conditions, original disease, number of organ dysfunctions, type of organ dysfunction, complications, score, time, dose of renal replacement therapy, and outcomes were recorded. The etiologies of the manifested diseases were complicated. The number of injured organs was directly associated with prognosis. Cardiovascular dysfunction and cataphora were independently associated with a risk of mortality (P < 0.05; odds ratios: 12.44 and 2.16, respectively). Meanwhile, cardiovascular dysfunction and choloplania were independently associated with a risk of irreparable 8379 ©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 13 (4): 8378-8384 (2014) Acute kidney injury and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome renal function (P < 0.05; odds ratios: 23.64 and 11.59, respectively). In summary, the etiologies of the manifested diseases are complex. In addition, cardiovascular dysfunction is significantly associated with prognosis including survival and the recovery rate of renal function.