Approach and management of dysnatremias in cirrhosis

Pharmacological Treatment of Ascites: Challenges and Controversies

Ascites is the most common complication from cirrhosis related to portal hypertension and depicts the onset of hepatic decompensation. Ranging from uncomplicated to refractory ascites, the progression carries prognostic value by reflecting the deterioration of underlying cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Diuretics have been the mainstay of treatment to control ascites, but the side effects heighten when the dosage is escalated. Non-selective beta-blockers (NSBBs) are widely used nowadays to prevent hepatic decompensation and variceal hemorrhage. However, with worsening systemic vasodilation and inflammation when ascites progresses, patients on NSBBs are at risk of hemodynamic collapse leading to renal hypoperfusion and thus hepatorenal syndrome. Long-term albumin infusion was studied to prevent the progression of ascites. However, the results were conflicting. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors are under investigation to control refractory ascites. With that, patients with refractory ascites may require regular large-volume paracentesis. With an aging population, more patients are put on anti-thrombotic agents and their risks in decompensated cirrhosis and invasive procedures have to be considered. In general, decompensated cirrhosis with ascites poses multiple issues to pharmacological treatment. In the present review, we discuss the challenges and controversies in the pharmacological treatment of ascites.

Effects of donors' and recipients' preoperative serum sodium on the prognosis of liver transplantation

Dysnatremia is common in donors and recipients of liver transplantation (LT). However, the influence of dysnatremia on LT prognosis remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate effects of donors' and recipients' serum sodium on LT prognosis. We retrospectively reviewed 248 recipients who underwent orthotopic LT at our center between January 2016 and December 2018. Donors and recipients perioperative and 3-year postoperative clinical data were included. Delta serum sodium was defined as the donors' serum sodium minus the paired recipients' serum sodium. Donors with serum sodium > 145 mmol/L had significantly higher preoperative blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (P < 0.01) and creatinine (Cr) (P < 0.01) than others. Preoperative total bilirubin (TBIL) (P < 0.01), direct bilirubin (DBIL) (P < 0.01), BUN (P < 0.01), Cr (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in the hyponatremia group of recipients than the other groups, but both of donors' and recipients' serum sodium had no effect on the LT prognosis. In the delta serum sodium < 0 mmol/L group, TBIL (P < 0.01) and DBIL (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in postoperative 1 week than the other groups, but delta serum sodium had no effect on the postoperative survival rates. Dysnatremia in donors and recipients of LT have no effect on postoperative survival rates, hepatic and renal function, but recipients with higher serum sodium than donors have significantly higher TBIL and DBIL at 1 week postoperatively.

Effectiveness of albumin infusion for the management of hyponatremia in decompensated cirrhosis: a systematic review

Background

Hyponatremia portends a poor prognosis in decompensated cirrhosis and is an independent predictor of mortality. Multiple modalities have been evaluated in the management of hyponatremia, including albumin infusion. However, the effect of albumin infusion on the resolution of hyponatremia is unclear. We conducted a systematic review to explore the available literature on the use of albumin infusion in hyponatremia.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive search up to 31st December 2022 using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus for studies reporting the effectiveness of albumin infusion in the resolution of hyponatremia. The impact of albumin infusion of any dose, administration frequency, and duration of therapy was recorded. The study protocol was prospectively registered (CRD42021245914).

Results

The literature search yielded 1322 references after duplicate removal. Only seven studies (three randomized trials, three cohort studies, and one case series) satisfied the predefined selection criteria after a full-text review. While hyponatremia was clearly defined as serum sodium < 130 meEq/L in all studies, two studies explicitly defined hyponatremia resolution (serum sodium > 135 mEq/L). No differentiation was made between the types of hyponatremia. The strength of the albumin infusion used was 5% and 20%. All but one study reported significant improvement in hyponatremia with albumin infusion. A subgroup analysis showed albumin infusion improved 30-day survival (odds ratio 0.43, 95% CI 0.25–0.74, I2 = 0.) No studies reported adverse events or the impact of concomitant associations (diuretic withdrawal, lactulose use, sepsis).

Conclusion

Despite available literature on the use of albumin infusion for the resolution of hyponatremia, the level of evidence remains low. Large prospective studies with pre-defined selection criteria and endpoints are required to generate the evidence.

A Case Series of Uncommon Sodium Disorders in Common Clinical Scenarios

Dysnatremias or sodium disorders (either hyponatremia or hypernatremia) are the most common electrolyte problems in clinical medicine. They pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges and have high mortality. Even mild changes in sodium levels from normal are associated with worse outcomes and considerable morbidity and mortality. We present a series of four patients with either hypo- or hypernatremia in different clinical scenarios requiring immediate treatment with close monitoring to avoid overcorrection. This case series shows that uncommon or unusual sodium disorders can happen in an otherwise usual situation.

Stable sensing platform for diagnosing electrolyte disturbance using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Electrolyte disturbance is very common and harmful, increasing the mortality of critical patients. Hence, rapid and accurate detection of electrolyte levels is vital in clinical practice. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has the advantage of rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple elements, which meets the needs of clinical electrolyte detection. However, the cracking caused by serum drying and the effect of the coffee-ring led to the unstable spectral signal of LIBS and inaccurate detection results. Herein, we propose the ordered microarray silicon substrates (OMSS) obtained by laser microprocessing, to solve the disturbance caused by cracking and the coffee-ring effect in LIBS detection. Moreover, the area of OMSS is optimized to obtain the optimal LIBS detection effect; only a 10 uL serum sample is required. Compared with the silicon wafer substrates, the relative standard deviation (RSD) of the serum LIBS spectral reduces from above 80.00% to below 15.00% by the optimized OMSS, improving the spectral stability. Furthermore, the OMSS is combined with LIBS to form a sensing platform for electrolyte disturbance detection. A set of electrolyte disturbance simulation samples (80% of the ingredients are human serum) was prepared for this platform evaluation. Finally, the platform can achieve an accurate quantitative detection of Na and K elements (Na: RSD < 6.00%, R² = 0.991; K: RSD < 4.00%, R² = 0.981), and the detection time is within 5 min. The LIBS sensing platform has a good prospect in clinical electrolyte detection and other blood-related clinical diagnoses.

Demystifying hyponatremia: A clinical guide to evaluation and management

Hyponatremia (serum sodium <135 mEq/L) is a frequent electrolyte abnormality complicating the clinical care of hospitalized patients. Hyponatremia has been associated with an increased risk of mortality. Hyponatremia can be seen in patients with euvolemia, hypovolemia, or hypervolemia. Evaluation of hyponatremia relies on clinical assessment and estimation of serum sodium, urine electrolytes, and serum and urine osmolality in addition to other case-specific laboratory parameters. In addition, point-of-care ultrasonography is an important adjunct to physical assessment in estimation of volume status. Understanding the pathophysiology of the underlying process can lead to a timely diagnosis and appropriate management of hyponatremia.

Hyponatremia and Liver Transplantation: A Narrative Review

Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disorder in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) and is associated with increased mortality on the liver transplantation (LT) waiting list. The impact of hyponatremia on outcomes after LT is unclear. Ninety-day and one-year mortality may be increased, but the data are conflicting. Hyponatremic patients have an increased rate of complications and longer hospital stays after transplant. Although rare, osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) is a feared complication after LT in the hyponatremic patient. The condition may occur when the serum sodium (sNa) concentration increases excessively during or after LT. This increase in sNa concentration correlates with the degree of preoperative hyponatremia, the amount of intraoperative blood loss, and the volume of intravenous fluid administration. The risk of developing ODS after LT can be mitigated by avoiding large perioperative increases in sNa concentration . This can be achieved through measures such as carefully increasing the sNa pretransplant, and by limiting the intravenous intra- and postoperative amounts of sodium infused. SNa concentrations should be monitored regularly throughout the entire perioperative period.

Clinical Implications, Evaluation, and Management of Hyponatremia in Cirrhosis

Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte abnormality in patients with decompensated cirrhosis on Liver Transplantation (LT) waiting list. Most of these patients have dilutional or hypervolemic hyponatremia secondary to splanchnic vasodilatation. Excessive secretion of the antidiuretic hormone also plays an important role. Hypervolemic hyponatremia is commonly associated with refractory ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and hepatic encephalopathy. Although uncommon, the use of diuretics and laxatives can cause hypovolemic hyponatremia that is characterized by the striking absence of ascites or pedal edema. Clinical features are often nonspecific and depend on the acuity of onset rather than the absolute value of serum sodium. Symptoms may be subtle, including nausea, lethargy, weakness, or anorexia. However, rarely patients may present with confusion, seizures, psychosis, or coma. Treatment includes discontinuation of diuretics, beta-blockers, and albumin infusion. Hypertonic saline (3%) infusion may be used in patients with very low serum sodium (<110 mmol/L) or when patients present with seizures or coma. Short-term use of Vasopressin (V₂) receptor antagonists may also be used to normalize sodium levels prior to LT. However, all these measures may be futile, and LT remains the definite treatment in these patients to improve survival. In this review, we describe the classification, pathogenesis of hyponatremia, and its clinical implications in patients with cirrhosis. Approach to these patients along with management will also be discussed briefly.

Natremia and liver transplantation: The right amount of salt for a good recipe

An adequate balance between electrolytes and clear water is of paramount importance to maintaining physiologic homeostasis. Natremia imbalance and, in particular, hyponatremia is the most frequent electrolyte abnormality observed in hospitalized subjects, involving approximately one-fourth of them. Pathological changes occurring during liver cirrhosis predispose patients to an increased risk of sodium imbalance, and hypervolemic hyponatremia has been reported in nearly 50% of subjects with severe liver disease and ascites. Splanchnic vasodilatation, portal-systemic collaterals' opening and increased excretion of vasoactive modulators are all factors impairing clear water handling during liver cirrhosis. Of concern, sodium imbalance has been consistently reported to be associated with increased risk of complications and reduced survival in liver disease patients. In the last decades clinical interest in sodium levels has been also extended in the field of liver transplantation. Evidence that [Na+] in blood is an independent risk factor for in-list mortality led to the incorporation of sodium value in prognostic scores employed for transplant priority, such as model for end-stage liver disease-Na and UKELD. On the other hand, severe hyponatremic cirrhotic patients are frequently delisted by transplant centers due to the elevated risk of mortality after grafting. In this review, we describe in detail the relationship between sodium imbalance and liver cirrhosis, focusing on its impact on peritransplant phases. The possible therapeutic approaches, in order to improve transplant outcome, are also discussed.

Hyponatremia Is Associated With Increased Mortality in Children on the Waiting List for Liver Transplantation

Our aim was to determine whether hyponatremia is associated with waiting list or posttransplantation mortality in children having liver transplantation (LT).

Hypervolemic hyponatremia and transplant-free survival in children with cirrhosis due to biliary atresia

BACKGROUND

Biliary atresia is the number one cause of cirrhosis and liver transplantation in children. Hyponatremia is the most important electrolytic disturbance observed in decompensated cirrhosis. Studies of hyponatremia in cirrhotic children are scarce and those that exist have defined hyponatremia as serum sodium < 130 mEq/L lasting for at least 7 days.

METHODS

We evaluated transplant-free survival (Kaplan-Meier) of children with cirrhosis due to biliary atresia and serum sodium < 130 mEq/L persisting for 1, 2-6, and ≥7 days. This was a single-center, historical cohort that included all patients aged ≤ 18 years on a liver transplantation waiting list.

RESULTS

We studied 128 patients. The overall frequency of hyponatremia was 30.5% (39/128). Thirteen patients (10.2%) had hyponatremia when put on the list, and 20.3% developed it during follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier overall transplant-free survival rate was 83.3%. Patients with persistent hyponatremia for at least two days had the lowest transplant-free survival. Glomerular filtration rate (P = .00, RR = 0.96, IC 95% = 0.94-0.99), BMI/age Z-score (P = .02, RR = 0.59, IC 95% = 0.39-0.91), INR (P = .00, RR = 1.43, IC 95% = 1.17-1.74), and serum sodium (P = .04, RR = 0.91, IC 95% = 0.84-0.99) were independently associated with transplant-free survival. We did not observe any difference in mortality prediction after adding sodium to the original PELD score.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that persistent hyponatremia lasting at least two days may herald poor prognosis for children with cirrhosis due to biliary atresia.

ACVIM consensus statement on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis in dogs

This consensus statement on chronic hepatitis (CH) in dogs is based on the expert opinion of 7 specialists with extensive experience in diagnosing, treating, and conducting clinical research in hepatology in dogs. It was generated from expert opinion and information gathered from searching of PubMed for manuscripts on CH, the Veterinary Information Network for abstracts and conference proceeding from annual meetings of the American College of Veterinary Medicine and the European College of Veterinary Medicine, and selected manuscripts from the human literature on CH. The panel recognizes that the diagnosis and treatment of CH in the dog is a complex process that requires integration of clinical presentation with clinical pathology, diagnostic imaging, and hepatic biopsy. Essential to this process is an index of suspicion for CH, knowledge of how to best collect tissue samples, access to a pathologist with experience in assessing hepatic histopathology, knowledge of reasonable medical interventions, and a strategy for monitoring treatment response and complications.