Treatment of Type-1 Hepatorenal Syndrome Associated With Sepsis

Overview

Type 1 Hepatorenal syndrome (type-1 HRS) is a severe complication of patients with advanced cirrhosis characterized by marked renal failure and is associated with a very poor prognosis. Type-1 HRS is often precipitated by a bacterial infection, though it may occur spontaneously. It has been demonstrated that vasoconstrictor agents plus albumin are effective in the reversal of the renal failure. A large number of studies have shown that terlipressin improves renal function in patients with type 1 HRS; treatment is effective in 50-75% of patients approximately. Currently there are no specific studies about the treatment of type-1 HRS with ongoing infections.

All consecutive patients with cirrhosis hospitalized with an infection or who developed an infection during hospitalization for an acute decompensation of the disease in four university hospitals. Criteria for inclusion were: 1/ cirrhosis as diagnosed by liver biopsy or a combination of clinical, biochemical, ultrasonographic, and/or endoscopic findings; 2/ age between 18 and 80 years; 3/ presence of sepsis, as defined by infection and signs of Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome; and 4/ occurrence of type-1 HRS during the infection, as defined by standard diagnostic criteria. Exclusion criteria were: 1/ hepatocellular carcinoma outside the Milan criteria; 2/ any severe extrahepatic condition, including cardiovascular, neurological, and organic kidney diseases; 3/ septic or hypovolemic shock; 4/ terminal condition (death expected in less than 48 hours); and 5/ lack of informed consent. Aim: A proof of concept study to evaluate whether treatment with terlipressin and albumin in the course of an infection associated with type-1 HRS is effective and safe.