Management of hepatorenal syndrome in liver cirrhosis: a recent update

Abstract

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a serious form of renal dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. It is an important component of the acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) syndrome. Significant recent changes in the understanding of the pathophysiology of renal dysfunction in cirrhosis include the role of inflammation in addition to hemodynamic changes. The term acute kidney injury (AKI) is now adopted to include all functional and structural forms of acute renal dysfunction in cirrhosis, with various stages describing the severity of the condition. Type 1 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS1) is renamed HRS-AKI, which is stage 2 AKI [doubling of baseline serum creatinine (sCr)] while fulfilling all other criteria of HRS1. Albumin is used for its volume expanding and anti-inflammatory properties to confirm the diagnosis of HRS-AKI. Vasoconstrictors are added to albumin as pharmacotherapy to improve the hemodynamics. Terlipressin, although not yet available in North America, is the most common vasoconstrictor used worldwide. Patients with high grade of ACLF treated with terlipressin are at risk for respiratory failure if there is pretreatment respiratory compromise. Norepinephrine is equally effective as terlipressin in reversing HRS1. Recent data show that norepinephrine may be administered outside the intensive care setting, but close monitoring is still required. There has been no improvement in overall or transplant-free survival shown with vasoconstrictor use, but response to vasoconstrictors with reduction in sCr is associated with improvement in survival. Non-responders to vasoconstrictor plus albumin will need liver transplantation as definite treatment with renal replacement therapy as a bridge therapy. Combined liver and kidney transplantation is recommended for patients with prolonged history of AKI, underlying chronic kidney disease or with hereditary renal conditions. Future developments, such as the use of biomarkers and metabolomics, may help to identify at risk patients with earlier diagnosis to allow for earlier treatment with improved outcomes.

Outcomes among patients with hepatorenal syndrome based on hospital teaching and transplant status: Analysis of 159 845 hospitalizations

“…Interestingly, in our study, there were no significant differences in the mortality rates between the three hospital groups among patients who received RRT. The use of RRT is indicated in patients who are unresponsive to pharmacotherapy, develop volume overload or electrolyte derangements, or for those who are not candidates for LTs 34 . Previous studies have reported that patients with HRS who require RRT have a dismal prognosis 35,36 .…”

Terlipressin for hepatorenal syndrome

“…Terlipressin has been compared with norepinephrine in several small trials for the management of HRS-AKI, and both are equivalent efficacious [41]. Many hospitals require that norepinephrine to be used in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting, and therefore, the use of norepinephrine is largely dictated by hospital policy rather than drug availability.…”

Acute Kidney Injury at ICU: Review Article

“…Colloid solutions containing albumin can treat hypoalbuminemia, hypotension, and acute renal damage. In conjunction with vasopressors, infusion of albumin is also advised for patients with liver cirrhosis who have hepatorenal syndrome (23) .…”