Management of hepatorenal syndrome

Cirrosis hepática o falla hepática crónica agudizada: definición y clasificación

La cirrosis se considera el estadio crónico e irreversible de la lesión hepática. Su etiología es diversa y abarca causas como las infecciones víricas, tóxicos como el alcohol, medicamentos, patologías autoinmunes y otras. La descompensación de la cirrosis hepática es consecuencia de cambios fisiopatológicos que se dan con el tiempo como ascitis, peritonitis bacteriana espontánea, hemorragia del tubo digestivo, síndrome hepatorrenal, encefalopatía hepática o hipertensión portopulmonar, mientras que la falla hepática crónica agudizada debe considerarse como una entidad que debe diferenciarse de la anterior, ya que es una falla multiorgánica de curso rápido, por lo regular en pacientes hospitalizados en unidad de cuidado intensivo, a menudo secundaria a desencadenantes como estados de choque. El clínico debe identificarlas para su abordaje y evaluación. El método actual adecuado para estadificar esta entidad es el puntaje CLIFF SOFA, que evalúa la mortalidad a 28 y 90 días, permitiendo intervenciones adecuadas en cada caso.

Role of renal Duplex ultrasonography in evaluation of hepatorenal syndrome

Background

Hepatorenal syndrome is a potentially fatal complication of advanced liver disease. Markers for early diagnosis and identification of high-risk patients are lacking. Our aim was to evaluate the role of renal Duplex ultrasonography in the diagnosis and early prediction of hepatorenal syndrome. This study included 50 patients. Clinical assessment, liver function tests, hepatitis C virus antibody, kidney function tests, and abdominal and renal color Duplex ultrasound were done to all subjects.

Results

Univariate regression analysis for hepatorenal syndrome showed a statistically significant positive correlation with the Model For End-Stage Liver Disease score (p-value <0.0001) and renal artery hilum resistivity index (p-value = 0.0017). Logistic multivariable regression analysis proved that the renal artery hilum resistivity index was an independent predictor of hepatorenal syndrome. Renal artery hilum resistivity index can be used as a predictor of hepatorenal syndrome with 100% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity with a cut-off value > 0.77.

Conclusion

The renal resistive index could be a good predictor of hepatorenal syndrome.

Bile Cast Nephropathy in Patients with Acute Kidney Injury Due to Hepatorenal Syndrome: A Postmortem Kidney Biopsy Study

Background and Aims: The role of bile cast nephropathy (BCN) in pathogenesis of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) in decompensated cirrhosis and acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) is unknown. This study aimed to determine the frequency of BCN detected on postmortem renal biopsy among patients with decompensated cirrhosis and ACLF who had been admitted with acute kidney injury due to HRS (HRA-AKI) and expired during that hospitalization. Methods: One-hundred-twenty-seven postmortem renal biopsies with adequate size (>1 cm in length) were included for analysis. These were obtained from 84 patients with decompensated cirrhosis and 43 patients with ACLF. Results: BCN was detected in 57 of the total 127 (44.8%) renal biopsy specimens. Patients with BCN had significantly higher levels of serum total bilirubin, total leukocyte count and model for end-stage liver disease score, as compared to those without BCN. BCN was detected in 32/43 (74.4%) of the patients with ACLF, as compared to 25/84 (29.7%) of the patients with decompensated cirrhosis (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, direct bilirubin (OR (95% CI): 1.27 (1121-1.698); p < 0.001) and presence of ACLF (OR (95% CI): 2.603 (1.054-7.111); p = 0.041) were found to be significant predictors of BCN on postmortem renal biopsy. Conclusion: BCN was found in 72.1% of patients with ACLF and 27.4% patients with decompensated cirrhosis who had been hospitalized with an admitting diagnosis of HRS-AKI and who expired during that hospitalization and underwent postmortem renal biopsy. Direct serum bilirubin and presence of ACLF were found to be significant predictors of BCN on postmortem renal biopsy.

Influence of hepatorenal syndrome on outcome of living donor liver transplantation: A single-center experience in 357 patients

AIM

Liver transplantation is the only curative treatment for hepatorenal syndrome (HRS); however, the influence of HRS on the patient and renal outcome after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of HRS on the outcome of LDLT.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 357 consecutive adult patients who underwent primary LDLT between January 2005 and March 2013 at Kyoto University Hospital. The outcome of the patients with HRS was compared with those without HRS.

RESULTS

A total of 29 patients (8%) were diagnosed as HRS (Group-HRS) preoperatively, and the other 328 patients (92%) were not diagnosed as HRS (Group-Non-HRS). Group-HRS showed a significantly lower preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (22.1 vs 78.3 mL/min/1.73m² , P < 0.001) and higher Child-Pugh-Turcotte score (13 vs 10, P < 0.001) than Group-non-HRS. After a median follow up of 60 months, the 1-, 3- and 5-year recipients' survival were 60.7%, 57.1% and 57.1% in Group-HRS, and 83.7%, 79.4% and 76.2% in Group-Non-HRS, respectively (P = 0.030). Concomitant HRS significantly elongated postoperative hospital stays (75 vs 50 days, P = 0.003), as well as predisposed patients to higher in-hospital mortality (41% vs 18%, P = 0.005). Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative renal dysfunction (estimated glomerular filtration rate on admission <40 mL/min/1.73m² , OR 2.106, P = 0.03) was an independent risk factor for 1-year recipients' survival after LDLT, in addition to donor age ≥38 years (OR 3.114, P < 0.001), Child-Pugh-Turcotte score ≥13 (OR 2.929, P < 0.001) and left lobe graft (OR 2.225, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Coincidence of HRS is associated with significantly worse outcome after LDLT, especially in the early post-transplant period.

Modulation of splanchnic circulation: Role in perioperative management of liver transplant patients

Splanchnic circulation is the primary mechanism that regulates volumes of circulating blood and systemic blood pressure in patients with cirrhosis accompanied by portal hypertension. Recently, interest has been expressed in modulating splanchnic circulation in patients with liver cirrhosis, because this capability might produce beneficial effects in cirrhotic patients undergoing a liver transplant. Pharmacologic modulation of splanchnic circulation by use of vasoconstrictors might minimize venous congestion, replenish central blood flow, and thus optimize management of blood volume during a liver transplant operation. Moreover, splanchnic modulation minimizes any high portal blood flow that may occur following liver resection and the subsequent liver transplant. This effect is significant, because high portal flow impairs liver regeneration, and thus adversely affects the postoperative recovery of a transplant patient. An increase in portal blood flow can be minimized by either surgical methods (e.g., splenic artery ligation, splenectomy or portocaval shunting) or administration of splanchnic vasoconstrictor drugs such as Vasopressin or terlipressin. Finally, modulation of splanchnic circulation can help maintain perioperative renal function. Splanchnic vasoconstrictors such as terlipressin may help protect against acute kidney injury in patients undergoing liver transplantation by reducing portal pressure and the severity of a hyperdynamic state. These effects are especially important in patients who receive a too small for size graft. Terlipressin selectively stimulates V1 receptors, and thus causes arteriolar vasoconstriction in the splanchnic region, with a consequent shift of blood from splanchnic to systemic circulation. As a result, terlipressin enhances renal perfusion by increasing both effective blood volume and mean arterial pressure.

Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Cirrhosis

Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs commonly in patients with advanced cirrhosis and negatively impacts pre- and post-transplant outcomes. Physiologic changes that occur in patients with decompensated cirrhosis with ascites, place these patients at high risk of AKI. The most common causes of AKI in cirrhosis include prerenal injury, acute tubular necrosis (ATN), and the hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), accounting for more than 80% of AKI in this population. Distinguishing between these causes is particularly important for prognostication and treatment. Treatment of Type 1 HRS with vasoconstrictors and albumin improves short term survival and renal function in some patients while awaiting liver transplantation. Patients with HRS who fail to respond to medical therapy or those with severe renal failure of other etiology may require renal replacement therapy. Simultaneous liver kidney transplant (SLK) is needed in many of these patients to improve their post-transplant outcomes. However, the criteria to select patients who would benefit from SLK transplantation are based on consensus and lack strong evidence to support them. In this regard, novel serum and/or urinary biomarkers such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, interleukins-6 and 18, kidney injury molecule-1, fatty acid binding protein, and endothelin-1 are emerging with a potential for accurately differentiating common causes of AKI. Prospective studies are needed on the use of these biomarkers to predict accurately renal function recovery after liver transplantation alone in order to optimize personalized use of SLK.

Outcomes of living donor liver transplantation for patients with preoperative type 1 hepatorenal syndrome and acute hepatic decompensation

This study investigated the outcomes of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for patients with preoperative type 1 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) and acute hepatic decompensation. Prospectively collected data for 104 patients who had fulminant hepatic failure, acute decompensation of cirrhosis, or an acute flare of chronic hepatitis B were analyzed. Thirty-three patients (31.7%) had HRS (the HRS group), and 71 patients (68.3%) did not (the non-HRS group). The median follow-up period was 60 months. The HRS group had significantly more preoperative intensive care unit (ICU) admissions (84.8% versus 60.6%, P = 0.01), worse preoperative blood test results (creatinine, 248 versus 88 μmol/L, P < 0.001; total bilirubin, 630 versus 555 μmol/L, P = 0.001), more hemodialysis (48.5% versus 0%, P < 0.001), more blood transfusions (9 versus 4 U, P < 0.001), longer postoperative ICU stays (8 versus 4 days, P < 0.001), worse postoperative blood test results (creatinine at 1 year, 108 versus 96 μmol/L, P = 0.006), and poorer overall survival (P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, only HRS was associated with poorer overall survival (hazard ratio = 8.592, 95% confidence interval = 1.782-41.431, P = 0.007). In conclusion, HRS patients had worse postoperative renal function and overall survival than non-HRS patients. However, their 5-year overall survival rate was still nearly 80%, which is satisfactory. Therefore, LDLT can be considered for patients who have acute hepatic decompensation with or without HRS.

Critical care of the end-stage liver disease patient awaiting liver transplantation

Patients with end-stage liver disease awaiting liver transplantation frequently require intensive care admission and management due to either complications of liver failure or to intercurrent illness, particularly infection. Mortality in such patients is high and the development of an illness necessitating intensive care unit management can influence transplant candidacy. Specialized support frequently requires hemodynamic support, mechanical ventilation, and renal support. In this review, areas of management of particular importance to patients with end-stage liver disease in the intensive care unit are discussed. These areas are hepatic encephalopathy, infectious diseases, cardiovascular support, mechanical ventilation, renal support and combined transplantation, and decisions regarding delisting. Current knowledge specific to these patients, when available, is discussed, current practice is described, and areas of uncertainty in the evidence are discussed.

Portal hypertension: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment

Portal hypertension (PH) is the result of increased vascular resistance in the portal circulation, increased portal venous blood flow, or both. In veterinary medicine, where portal pressure is seldom measured directly, the diagnosis of PH often is inferred from identification of associated complications including multiple acquired portosystemic shunts, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy. Likewise, treatment of PH primarily is aimed at controlling these complications. The goal of this review is to provide an update on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of PH. The review draws from information in the veterinary hepatology literature, reviews, and consensus statements in human hepatology and the literature on experimental models of PH.

[Intensive care of patients with acute liver failure]

BACKGROUND

Acute liver failure and acute decompensated chronic liver failure are two diseases that demand extensive knowledge of etiology and triggering factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis, prognosis and recommended guidelines for treatment. The article defines the diseases, discusses etiological factors, treatment strategies, indications for referral to the transplantation unit at Rikshospitalet and prognostic factors of importance.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The basis for this article is literature identified through a non-systematic search in PubMed and the authors' clinical experience and experimental research within the field.

RESULTS

In the Western world paracetamol poisoning and toxic reactions to other drugs are the most common triggering factors for acute liver poisoning in adults. Patients can quickly develop multi organ failure requiring advanced intensive care. The most common complications are hepatic encephalopathy, acute renal failure and coagulation disturbances. Acute decompensated chronic liver failure strikes patients with known liver disease and is most often triggered by inflammation, infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, drugs, traumas or disturbances in acid/base/electrolyte balance. Early diagnosing of triggering factors and intensive medical supportive treatment is especially important. Acute renal failure indicates a very bad prognosis.

INTERPRETATION

Patients diagnosed with acute liver failure or acute decompensated chronic liver failure remain a clinical challenge. Optimal treatment requires extensive knowledge of pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment strategies.

Hepatorenal syndrome: beyond liver failure

Critical care nurses occasionally confront patient conditions that are not common. One such condition is hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). Three primary processes contribute to regional alterations in circulation in the renal and splanchnic beds. These processes include effective hypovolemia from the massive release of vasoactive mediators, thereby underfilling circulation, systemic and splanchnic vasodilation along with renal vasoconstriction, and hyperdynamic circulation. A "second-hit" hypothesis, whereby a triggering event causes intravascular volume depletion, likely initiates the development of HRS. The idea of a second hit focuses the attention of the health care team on surveillance strategies to prevent or limit HRS in patients with advanced cirrhosis and ascites. The treatment goal is to restore systemic and splanchnic vasoconstriction, while promoting renal vasodilation, balance sodium, and achieve euvolemia. The critical care nurse must maintain ongoing education to care for the patient with this complex syndrome in order to prevent complications and death.

Pig liver xenotransplantation as a bridge to allotransplantation: which patients might benefit?

Acute liver failure is a potentially devastating clinical syndrome that, without liver transplantation (Tx), is associated with high mortality. Rapid deterioration in clinical status and a shortage of deceased human organs prohibits liver Tx in many patients. Bridging to liver Tx has been attempted by various approaches, for example, bioartificial liver support, extracorporeal pig liver perfusion, and hepatocyte Tx, but none of these approaches has convincingly improved patient survival. The orthotopic Tx of a genetically engineered pig liver could theoretically provide successful bridging. Immediate availability, perfect metabolic condition, adequate size-match and hepatocyte mass, and freedom from potentially pathogenic microorganisms could be assured. The advantages and disadvantages of bridging by pig liver Tx compared with other approaches are discussed. The selection of patients for an initial clinical trial of pig liver Tx would be similar to that of various prior trials in patients experiencing rapid and severe deterioration in liver function. The ability to give truly informed consent for a pig bridging procedure at the time of listing for liver Tx renders the patient with acute-on-chronic liver failure or primary allograft failure is a preferable candidate for this procedure than a patient who is admitted urgently with acute (fulminant) liver failure in whom consent may not be possible. Although several barriers to successful pig organ xenoTx remain, for example, coagulation dysfunction between pig and primate, if these can be resolved by further genetic engineering of the organ-source pigs, a pig liver may prove life saving to patients dying rapidly of liver failure.