What is hepatorenal syndrome?
Oct 18, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lu Haiying
Introduction
In general, hepatorenal syndrome is a functional renal failure that occurs in the late stages of severe liver disease, without obvious organic kidney lesions. It is characterized by impaired kidney function, circulatory disturbances, and significant abnormalities in vasodilatory factors. If patients experience any symptoms, they should promptly seek medical attention at a hospital to avoid delaying treatment.
Generally, hepatorenal syndrome is a functional renal failure that occurs in the late stage of severe liver disease. There are no obvious organic lesions in the kidneys, and the condition is characterized by impaired kidney function, circulatory dysfunction, and significant abnormalities in vasodilatory factors. A detailed analysis is as follows:
Hepatorenal syndrome is a specific form of acute kidney injury associated with severe liver disease. Its most prominent feature is that the acute renal failure is functional rather than structural. Clinically, it mainly presents with oliguria or anuria, decreased glomerular filtration rate, dilutional hyponatremia, and low urinary sodium levels. Hepatorenal syndrome is a hallmark of end-stage liver failure; once it develops, it usually indicates a poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Therefore, prompt management of liver failure is essential.
Patients diagnosed with hepatorenal syndrome may use vasoactive agents under medical supervision, such as terlipressin for injection, norepinephrine bitartrate injection, octreotide acetate injection, and oral midodrine hydrochloride tablets, to improve renal blood perfusion. When necessary, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement may be performed under a physician's guidance.
If patients experience any symptoms or discomfort, they should promptly seek medical attention at a hospital to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.
