Hepatorenal syndrome

Associated with acute liver failure including cirrhosis.

Diagnosed by excluding other causes of renal failure.

Liver transplantation is the only definitive treatment.

Dialysis and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts are temporizing measures while awaiting liver transplantation.

The vasopressin analog terlipressin is very effective at reversing the condition in some patients.

General prognosis is poor.

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is the development of renal failure in patients with severe liver disease (acute or chronic) in the absence of any other identifiable cause of renal pathology. [1] Dagher L, Moore K. The hepatorenal syndrome. Gut. 2001;49:729-737. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1728492/pdf/v049p00729.pdf http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11600480?tool=bestpractice.com