[Functional renal failure (FRF) in cirrhosis (author's transl)]

Frequent complication of advanced cirrhosis, spontaneous or in response to different causes, FRF is chiefly characterized by hyponatraemia, progressive azotaemia, hyperkalaemia and severe oliguria. Its functional nature is proved but its mechanism remains doubtful: it may be due to decreased "effective" plasma volume or renal arteriolar constriction. Its treatment is disappointing and in spite of new technics, gives only transitory improvements.