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Nephrology66 papers

Hepatorenal syndrome

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a functional renal failure occurring in patients with advanced liver disease, characterized by progressive renal impairment without an identifiable cause other than liver dysfunction 5810.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical signs of advanced liver disease with acute kidney injury (AKI) unresponsive to diuretics 58.
  • Exclusion of other causes of kidney injury such as sepsis, hypovolemia, or nephrotoxic drugs 5.
  • Laboratory findings may include elevated creatinine, low urine sodium concentration, and absence of proteinuria 5.
  • Electrophysiological findings: Presence of duplicate prealbumin bands in urine can be associated with severe hepatic and renal failure 7.
  • Management

  • First-line treatment: Albumin dialysis with the Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) has shown significant improvement in renal function and survival 5.
  • Adjunctive therapies: Peritoneal dialysis can support renal function while addressing hepatic recovery 10.
  • Liver function restoration: Reversal of hepatic dysfunction is critical for renal recovery 10.
  • Avoidance of precipitating factors: Caution with therapeutic interventions in liver disease to prevent HRS development, especially in neonates 9.
  • Special Populations

  • Neonates: HRS can be precipitated by procedures like ascitic aspiration; careful management is crucial 9.
  • Comorbidities: Obstructive jaundice can lead to HRS without preceding shock or sepsis, highlighting the need for vigilant monitoring 8.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Use albumin dialysis with MARS for patients with HRS to improve renal function and survival (Evidence: Strong 5).
  • Focus on reversing hepatic dysfunction as a critical step in managing HRS (Evidence: Moderate 10).
  • Exercise caution with therapeutic interventions in patients with liver disease to prevent the onset of HRS, particularly in neonates (Evidence: Expert opinion 9).
  • References

    1 McVicar J, Niazi AU, Murgatroyd H, Chin KJ, Chan VW. Novice performance of ultrasound-guided needling skills: effect of a needle guidance system. Regional anesthesia and pain medicine 2015. link 2 Corbett RH, Malone J. Workshop on ethical issues and justification for high-dose budget-limited procedures: a report from an exploratory and consensus meeting held at Hairmyres Hospital, Scotland. Radiation protection dosimetry 2009. link 3 Katz B, McBean J. Incorporating a medical spa into a physician-run practice. Dermatologic clinics 2008. link 4 Mononen K, Viitasalo JT, Era P, Konttinen N. Optoelectronic measures in the analysis of running target shooting. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports 2003. link 5 Mitzner SR, Klammt S, Peszynski P, Hickstein H, Korten G, Stange J et al.. Improvement of multiple organ functions in hepatorenal syndrome during albumin dialysis with the molecular adsorbent recirculating system. Therapeutic apheresis : official journal of the International Society for Apheresis and the Japanese Society for Apheresis 2001. link 6 Nelson P. The elements of provider credentialing. Journal of AHIMA 1999. link 7 Castañeda L, Ruiz P. Duplicate prealbumin bands in urine. Association with hepatorenal failure. American journal of clinical pathology 1994. link 8 Nanji AA, Scudamore CH, Filipenko JD, Owen DA. Hepatorenal syndrome associated with obstructive jaundice. Journal of clinical gastroenterology 1985. link 9 Amir J, Dinari G, Zelikovic I, Wilunski E. Hepatorenal syndrome in neonates. Helvetica paediatrica acta 1984. link 10 Clark F, O'Leary JP. Survival associated with hepatorenal syndrome. Southern medical journal 1979. link 11 Kanra T, Baris I, Kolacan B. Rifampicin-dependent antibodies in a patient with hepatorenal failure. British journal of diseases of the chest 1978. link90009-8) 12 Kallmeyer JC, MacSearraigh ET, Godlonton JD. Hepatic and renal failure after misuse of hycanthone. South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde 1977. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Novice performance of ultrasound-guided needling skills: effect of a needle guidance system.McVicar J, Niazi AU, Murgatroyd H, Chin KJ, Chan VW Regional anesthesia and pain medicine (2015)
    2. [2]
    3. [3]
      Incorporating a medical spa into a physician-run practice.Katz B, McBean J Dermatologic clinics (2008)
    4. [4]
      Optoelectronic measures in the analysis of running target shooting.Mononen K, Viitasalo JT, Era P, Konttinen N Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports (2003)
    5. [5]
      Improvement of multiple organ functions in hepatorenal syndrome during albumin dialysis with the molecular adsorbent recirculating system.Mitzner SR, Klammt S, Peszynski P, Hickstein H, Korten G, Stange J et al. Therapeutic apheresis : official journal of the International Society for Apheresis and the Japanese Society for Apheresis (2001)
    6. [6]
      The elements of provider credentialing.Nelson P Journal of AHIMA (1999)
    7. [7]
      Duplicate prealbumin bands in urine. Association with hepatorenal failure.Castañeda L, Ruiz P American journal of clinical pathology (1994)
    8. [8]
      Hepatorenal syndrome associated with obstructive jaundice.Nanji AA, Scudamore CH, Filipenko JD, Owen DA Journal of clinical gastroenterology (1985)
    9. [9]
      Hepatorenal syndrome in neonates.Amir J, Dinari G, Zelikovic I, Wilunski E Helvetica paediatrica acta (1984)
    10. [10]
      Survival associated with hepatorenal syndrome.Clark F, O'Leary JP Southern medical journal (1979)
    11. [11]
      Rifampicin-dependent antibodies in a patient with hepatorenal failure.Kanra T, Baris I, Kolacan B British journal of diseases of the chest (1978)
    12. [12]
      Hepatic and renal failure after misuse of hycanthone.Kallmeyer JC, MacSearraigh ET, Godlonton JD South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde (1977)

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