Causes. Acute kidney failure can occur when: 1  You have a condition that slows blood flow to your kidneys. 2  You experience direct damage to your kidneys. 3  Your kidneys' urine drainage tubes (ureters) become blocked and wastes can't leave your body through your urine.amage to the kidneys. These diseases, conditions and agents may damage the kidneys and lead to acute kidney failure: 1  Blood clots in the veins and arteries in and around the kidneys. 2  Cholesterol deposits that block blood flow in the kidneys.