Terlipressin therapy for renal failure in cirrhosis

Hepatorenal syndrome: pathophysiology and evidence-based management update

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a functional renal failure that develops in patients with advanced hepatic cirrhosis with ascites and in those with fulminant hepatic failure. The prevalence of HRS varies among studies but in general it is the third most common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in cirrhotic patients after pre-renal azotemia and acute tubular necrosis. HRS carries a grim prognosis with a mortality rate approaching 90% three months after disease diagnosis. Fortunately, different strategies have been proven to be successful in preventing HRS. Although treatment options are available, they are not universally effective in restoring renal function but they might prolong survival long enough for liver transplantation, which is the ultimate treatment. Much has been learned in the last two decades regarding the pathophysiology and management of this disease which lead to notable evolution in the HRS definition and better understanding on how best to manage HRS patients. In the current review, we will summarize the recent advancement in epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of HRS.

Combined Immunotherapy With Belatacept and BTLA Overexpression Attenuates Acute Rejection Following Kidney Transplantation

Background

Costimulatory blockade provides new therapeutic opportunities for ensuring the long-term survival of kidney grafts. The adoption of the novel immunosuppressant Belatacept has been limited, partly due to concerns regarding higher rates and grades of acute rejection in clinical trials. In this study, we hypothesized that a combined therapy, Belatacept combined with BTLA overexpression, may effectively attenuate acute rejection after kidney transplantation.

Materials and Methods

The rat kidney transplantation model was used to investigate graft rejection in single and combined therapy. Graft function was analyzed by detecting serum creatinine. Pathological staining was used to observe histological changes in grafts. The expression of T cells was observed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. In vitro, we constructed an antigen-stimulated immune response by mixed lymphocyte culture, treated with or without Belatacept and BTLA-overexpression adenovirus, to observe the proliferation of receptor cells and the expression of cytokines. In addition, western blot and qRT-PCR analyses were performed to evaluate the expression of CTLA-4 and BTLA at various time points during the immune response.

Results

In rat models, combined therapy reduced the serum creatinine levels and prolonged graft survival compared to single therapy and control groups. Mixed acute rejection was shown in the allogeneic group and inhibited by combination treatment. Belatacept reduced the production of DSA and the deposition of C4d in grafts. Belatacept combined with BTLA overexpression downregulated the secretion of IL-2 and IFN-γ, as well as increasing IL-4 and IL-10 expression. We also found that Belatacept combined with BTLA overexpression inhibited the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes. The duration of the elevated expression levels of CTLA-4 and BTLA differentially affected the immune response.

Conclusion

Belatacept combined with BTLA overexpression attenuated acute rejection after kidney transplantation and prolonged kidney graft survival, which suggests a new approach for the optimization of early immunosuppression after kidney transplantation.

The synergism of B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) attenuated acute T-cell mediated rejection and prolonged renal graft survival

Background

Acute T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR) continues to be a major problem in the area of kidney transplantation. The B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) were recently found costimulatory molecules. The research aims to explore the inhibitory synergism of BTLA and CTLA-4 in TCMR.

Methods

We investigated the suppressive role of overexpressed BTLA and CTLA-4 in vitro. The rat kidney transplantation model was established to explore the effect of combined overexpressed BTLA and CTLA-4 in recipients of kidney transplantation. The grafts and peripheral blood were harvested for renal function, histology, immunohistochemical and flow cytometry analysis.

Results

Combination therapy decreased the secretion of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and proliferation of T cells compared to the single therapy and the control group. Decrease of interstitium monocyte infiltration and especially intimal arteritis in the graft was observed with the combination therapy, with remarkable reduction of numbers and proliferation response of T cells in peripheral blood and grafts. Combined overexpressed BTLA and CTLA-4 attenuated the acute TCMR after kidney transplantation and improved the graft function and prolonged the graft survival. The inhibiting role against TCMR in the combination therapy group was more effective than single therapy.

Conclusions

The synergism of BTLA and CTLA-4 attenuated acute TCMR after kidney transplantation by suppressing T cell activation and proliferation.

A retrospective analysis of hyponatremia during terlipressin treatment in patients with esophageal or gastric variceal bleeding due to portal hypertension

Background and Aim

To explore the risk factors of hyponatremia caused by terlipressin.

Methods

Forty‐four patients with acute variceal bleeding treated with terlipressin from December 2016 to December 2018 were analyzed.

Results

During the treatment, serum sodium levels decreased from 137.78 to 126.59 mmol/L (P < 0.05), with an average decrease of 11.19 mmol/L. The serum sodium level decreased by less than 5 mmol/L in 12 patients (27.27%), by 5–10 mmol/L in 13 patients (27.27%), and by more than 10 mmol/L in 19 patients (43.18%). The difference in baseline serum sodium levels was statistically significant (P < 0.05), and the differences in baseline total bilirubin levels, Child‐Pugh scores, and model for end‐stage liver disease scores were also significant. Logistic regression analysis suggested that the initial sodium level was an independent risk factor for the decrease in the serum sodium concentration caused by terlipressin.

Conclusion

The incidence of hyponatremia is not low during treatment with terlipressin; a higher baseline serum sodium level is a risk factor for hyponatremia during treatment with terlipressin, and the mechanism may be related to endogenous vasopressin preconditioning.

Hyponatraemia induced by terlipressin: a case report and literature review

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Terlipressin is widely used to treat variceal bleeding and hepatorenal syndrome. We report one case of stubborn hyponatraemia induced by long-term (up to 21 days) therapy with terlipressin and review the side effects of this agent.

CASE SUMMARY

A 41-year-old man with variceal rebleeding experienced a course of stubborn hyponatraemia during a long-term (up to 21 days) therapy with terlipressin. The hyponatraemia could not be corrected until withdrawal of terlipressin. The adverse event is likely due to the stimulation of V1 receptors in the splanchnic area and V2 receptors in the collecting duct.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Given that this reaction has rarely been reported, we discuss the present case with a review of other similar cases. Serum sodium should be monitored intensively to avoid misdiagnosis whenever terlipressin treatment is employed for either gastrointestinal haemorrhage or hepatorenal syndrome.

Treatment of type 2 hepatorenal syndrome in patients awaiting transplantation: Effects on kidney function and transplantation outcomes

There is little information on the effects of treatment with vasoconstrictors plus albumin in patients with type 2 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), particularly those awaiting liver transplantation (LT). This study reports the effects of treatment of type 2 HRS in patients on the waiting list for LT. We included 56 patients with type 2 HRS who were awaiting LT. Out of these 56 patients, 31 were treated with terlipressin and albumin. Nineteen (61%) of these 31 patients had response to therapy, and 11 of them relapsed after treatment withdrawal. There were no differences in mortality on the waiting list between responders and nonresponders. Among the 46 (82%) patients who underwent transplantation, 15 underwent transplantation with reversal of type 2 HRS, whereas the remaining 31 underwent transplantation with type 2 HRS. There were no significant differences in serum creatinine or estimated glomerular filtration rate between the 2 cohorts of patients at 3, 6, and 12 months after transplantation. There were no significant differences regarding development of acute kidney injury, need for renal replacement therapy, frequency of chronic kidney disease 1 year after transplant, length of hospitalization, and survival. In conclusion, treatment of patients with type 2 HRS with terlipressin and albumin does not appear to have beneficial effects either in pretransplantation or in posttransplantation outcomes.

Renal dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis: Where do we stand?

Patients with cirrhosis and renal failure are high-risk patients who can hardly be grouped to form precise instructions for diagnosis and treatment. When it comes to evaluate renal function in patients with cirrhosis, determination of acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD) or AKI on CKD should be made. First it should be excluded the prerenal causes of AKI. All cirrhotic patients should undergo renal ultrasound for measurement of renal resistive index in every stage of liver dysfunction and urine microscopy for differentiation of all causes of AKI. If there is history of dehydration on the ground of normal renal ultrasound and urine microscopy the diuretics should be withdrawn and plasma volume expansion should be tried with albumin. If the patient does not respond, the correct diagnosis is HRS. In case there is recent use of nephrotoxic agents or contrast media and examination shows shock, granular cast in urinary sediment and proteinuria above 0.5 g daily, acute tubular necrosis is the prominent diagnosis. Renal biopsy should be performed when glomerular filtration rate is between 30-60 mL/min and there are signs of parenchymal renal disease. The acute renal function is preferable to be assessed with modified AKIN. Patients with AKIN stage 1 and serum creatinine ≥ 1.5 mg/dL should be at close surveillance. Management options include hemodynamic monitoring and management of fluid balance and infections, potentially driving to HRS. Terlipressin is the treatment of choice in case of established HRS, administered until there are signs of improvement, but not more than two weeks. Midodrine is the alternative for therapy continuation or when terlipressin is unavailable. Norepinephrine has shown similar effect with terlipressin in patients being in Intensive Care Unit, but with much lower cost than that of terlipressin. If the patient meets the requirements for transplantation, dialysis and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt are the bridging therapies to keep the transplant candidate in the best clinical status. The present review clarifies the latest therapeutic modalities and the proposed recommendations and algorithms in order to be applied in clinical practice.

Kidneys in chronic liver diseases

Acute kidney injury (AKI), defined as an abrupt increase in the serum creatinine level by at least 0.3 mg/dL, occurs in about 20% of patients hospitalized for decompensating liver cirrhosis. Patients with cirrhosis are susceptible to developing AKI because of the progressive vasodilatory state, reduced effective blood volume and stimulation of vasoconstrictor hormones. The most common causes of AKI in cirrhosis are pre-renal azotemia, hepatorenal syndrome and acute tubular necrosis. Differential diagnosis is based on analysis of circumstances of AKI development, natriuresis, urine osmolality, response to withdrawal of diuretics and volume repletion, and rarely on renal biopsy. Chronic glomerulonephritis and obstructive uropathy are rare causes of azotemia in cirrhotic patients. AKI is one of the last events in the natural history of chronic liver disease, therefore, such patients should have an expedited referral for liver transplantation. Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is initiated by progressive portal hypertension, and may be prematurely triggered by bacterial infections, nonbacterial systemic inflammatory reactions, excessive diuresis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, diarrhea or nephrotoxic agents. Each type of renal disease has a specific treatment approach ranging from repletion of the vascular system to renal replacement therapy. The treatment of choice in type 1 hepatorenal syndrome is a combination of vasoconstrictor with albumin infusion, which is effective in about 50% of patients. The second-line treatment of HRS involves a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, renal vasoprotection or systems of artificial liver support.

Renal failure and cirrhosis: a systematic review of mortality and prognosis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

To evaluate renal failure (RF) in cirrhosis to determine and quantify its prognostic significance.

METHODS

Studies were identified by MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, ISI Web of Science (1977-2010); search terms included renal failure, mortality, and cirrhosis. Included studies (n=74) reported >10 patients and mortality data (8088 patients). Mortality at 1, 3, and 12 months was evaluated with respect to Child-Pugh score, serum creatinine, ascites, ICU status or sepsis, prospective study design, and publication year. Pooled odds ratio (POR) for death was compared for RF vs. non-RF (5668 patients).

RESULTS

Overall median mortality for RF patients was 67%: 58% at 1 month and 63% (IQR 54-79) at 12 months. POR for death RF vs. non-RF patients was 7.6 (95%CI 5.4-10.8). Overall mortality before 2005 (1264 patients) was 74% and after 2005 (2833 patients) was 63% with a marked reduction only at 30 days (71% vs. 52%).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a measure of the increased risk of death in cirrhosis with renal failure. RF increases mortality 7-fold, with 50% of patients dying within one month. Preventative strategies for RF are needed.

Diagnosis, treatment and survival of patients with hepatorenal syndrome: a survey on daily medical practice

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a severe complication of cirrhosis with ascites. The International Ascites Club recommended strict diagnostic criteria and treatment with vasoconstrictors and albumin. Aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the prevalence of HRS, diagnostic criteria, treatment and 3-month outcome in the daily-clinical-practice.

METHODS

Two-hundred-fifty-three patients with cirrhosis and renal failure consecutively admitted to 21 Italian hospitals were recruited.

RESULTS

The prevalence of HRS was 45.8% (30% type-1 and 15.8% type-2). In 36% of cases HRS was presumed because not all diagnostic criteria could be fulfilled. In 8% of cases HRS was superimposed on an organic nephropathy. Patients with HRS type-1 were younger and showed higher leukocyte count, higher respiratory rates, and worse liver function scores. Sixty-four patients with HRS type-1 received vasoconstrictors (40 terlipressin and 24 midodrine/octreotide). A complete response was obtained in 19 cases (30%) and a partial response in 13 (20%). Age was the only independent predictor of response (p=0.033). Three-month survival of patients with HRS type-1 was 19.7%. Survival was better in patients who responded to therapy. Age (p=0.017), bilirubin (p=0.012), and creatinine increase after diagnostic volume expansion (p=0.02) independently predicted death. The mortality rate was 97% among patients with at least two negative predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic criteria of HRS in our daily-clinical-practice could not be completely fulfilled in one third of cases. The treatment with vasoconstrictors and albumin was widely implemented. Mortality was strongly predicted by simple baseline variables.

Therapeutic response to vasoconstrictors in hepatorenal syndrome parallels increase in mean arterial pressure: a pooled analysis of clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Vasoconstrictor therapy has been advocated as treatment for hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). Our aim was to explore across all tested vasoconstrictors whether achievement of a substantial increase in arterial blood pressure is associated with recovery of kidney function in HRS.

STUDY DESIGN

Pooled analysis of published studies identified by electronic database search.

SETTING & POPULATION

Data pooled across 501 participants in 21 studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES

Human studies evaluating the efficacy of a vasoconstrictor administered for 72 hours or longer in adults with HRS type 1 or 2.

INTERVENTION

Vasoconstrictor therapy.

OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS

Cohorts' mean arterial pressure (MAP), serum creatinine level, urinary output, and plasma renin activity (PRA) at baseline and subsequent times during treatment. Linear regression models were constructed to estimate mean daily changes in MAP, serum creatinine level, urinary output, and PRA for each study subgroup. Correlations were used to assess for association between variables.

RESULTS

An increase in MAP is associated strongly with a decrease in serum creatinine level, but is not associated with an increase in urinary output. Associations were stronger when analyses were restricted to randomized clinical trials and were not limited to cohorts with either lower baseline MAP or lower baseline serum creatinine level. Most studies tested terlipressin as vasoconstrictor, whereas fewer studies tested ornipressin, midodrine, octreotide, or norepinephrine. Excluding cohorts of participants treated with terlipressin or ornipressin did not eliminate the association. Furthermore, a decrease in PRA correlated with improvement in kidney function.

LIMITATIONS

Studies were not originally designed to test our question. We lacked access to individual patient data.

CONCLUSIONS

An increase in MAP during vasoconstrictor therapy in patients with HRS is associated with improvement in kidney function across the spectrum of drugs tested to date. These results support consideration for a goal-directed approach to the treatment of HRS.

[54-year-old male with hepatic cirrhosis and therapy-associated torsade de pointes tachycardia]

We present a case of a patient with newly diagnosed cirrhosis and kidney failure who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation twice after treatment with terlipressin. After the second application a QT interval prolongation and torsade de pointes were documented. Since other causes were excluded, we interpret both events as terlipressin-induced ventricular arrhythmia. Therefore, it seems important to consider this rare but potentially lethal side effect when administering this drug to patients.

New insights into the management of hepato-renal syndrome

Hepato-renal syndrome (HRS) is a serious complication in patients with advanced liver disease indicating a very poor prognosis. Nevertheless, effective treatment strategies have been introduced into clinical practice over the last decade. The combined treatment with terlipressin/albumin has been proven to be effective in most published studies and should be regarded as the standard of care. Norepinephrine or midodrine are possible alternatives when terlipressin is not available. Although there is presently not enough evidence to recommend extracorporeal liver support therapy as a standard procedure in patients with HRS, these concepts constitute promising options that need to be studied in prospective clinical trials.

Pitfalls in assessing renal function in patients with cirrhosis--potential inequity for access to treatment of hepatorenal failure and liver transplantation

Serum creatinine is universally used to assess renal function in clinical practice. Creatinine and changes in serum creatinine are used to define acute kidney injury and hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) in patients with progressive liver disease. In addition, creatinine is a key variable in the calculation used to determine priority for liver transplantation in many countries. As there is no universal standardized creatinine assay, there is variation in creatinine determinations between laboratory assays, compounded by assay interference due to chromogens, including bilirubin. This leads to patients with the same actual renal function potentially being offered different treatment options, in terms of access to therapy for HRS and priority waiting time for liver transplantation. Alternative methods for assessing renal function either also tend to overestimate renal function or are too time consuming and expensive to provide practical alternatives for standard clinical practice. Standardization of creatinine assays with readily available reference standards would help minimize interlaboratory variation; of the current creatinine assays, enzymatic creatinine appears more accurate, but even this is inaccurate at high bilirubin concentrations. Further work is required to determine whether interpatient variation can be reduced by correcting creatinine and cystatin measurements for muscle mass.

Terlipressin in hepatorenal syndrome: Evidence for present indications

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is the most frequent life threatening complication of advanced liver failure and cirrhosis. HRS results from a functional renal dysfunction due to circulatory disturbances in patients with advanced liver disease and portal hypertension. Reduction in the effective circulating blood volume and hence hypoperfusion of the kidney is the basic underlying common pathogenetic mechanism for the development of hepatorenal syndrome. The prognosis for HRS remains very poor with types 1 and 2-both having an expected survival time of 2 weeks and 6 months, respectively. Although the available data are derived from studies including a limited number of patients mainly affected by type 1 HRS, vasoconstrictor drugs, in particular the vasopressin analog Terlipressin, seem to be the most effective approach for the management of HRS. Associated with albumin infusion, these drugs have been shown to lead to reduced mortality and improved renal function in HRS. Terlipressin administration significantly increases mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance; while the heart rate, cardiac output, HVPG and portal venous blood flow decrease significantly. This decrease correlates well with the decrease in plasma renin activity. Thus the vasoconstrictor effect of Terlipressin reverses the basic pathology of HRS by reducing the plasma renin activity. The improvement in hemodynamics with Terlipressin is associated with an increase in glomerular filtration rate and deactivation of the vasoconstrictor and sodium-conserving hormones with reduced activity of the RAAS resulting in increased natriuresis. Terlipressin thus reverses HRS and is useful in bridging the patient to liver transplantation and may hence indirectly improve survival. Patients with HRS who show an improvement in renal function with Terlipressin and albumin seem to have an excellent post-transplantation outcome similar to that of patients without HRS. Thus, the use of Terlipressin has been shown to be safe, with minimal side effects that usually disappear after dose reduction, and results in an improved outcome in patients with HRS.