Hepatorenal Syndrome: Aetiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Acute renal impairment is common in patients with chronic liver disease, occurring in approximately 19% of hospitalised patients with cirrhosis. A variety of types of renal impairment are recognised. The most important of these is the hepatorenal syndrome, a functional renal impairment due to circul...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: G. Low, G. J. M. Alexander, D. J. Lomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2015-01-01
Series:Gastroenterology Research and Practice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/207012
Description
Summary:Acute renal impairment is common in patients with chronic liver disease, occurring in approximately 19% of hospitalised patients with cirrhosis. A variety of types of renal impairment are recognised. The most important of these is the hepatorenal syndrome, a functional renal impairment due to circulatory and neurohormonal abnormalities that underpin cirrhosis. It is one of the most severe complications of cirrhosis with survival often measured in weeks to months. A variety of treatment options exist with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment providing the best hope for cure. This paper provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of hepatorenal syndrome and lays out the topic according to the following sections: pathophysiology, historical developments, diagnostic criteria and limitations, epidemiology, precipitating factors, predictors, clinical and laboratory findings, prognosis, treatment options, prophylaxis, and conclusion.
ISSN:1687-6121
1687-630X