[Diagnosis and therapy of the hepatorenal syndrome]

Portal hypertension occurs frequently in advanced liver cirrhosis and accounts for the majority of lethal complications. Compensatory splanchnic vasodilation and counter regulatory mechanisms (e.g. activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system) increase renal vascular resistance, which may facilitate acute kidney injury and the development of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS). HRS represents a functional, yet reversible renal impairment with elevated serum creatinine levels. Establishing the diagnosis, fluid challenge test and several investigations are needed to exclude acute kidney injury and other causes of renal failure. Early treatment with albumin and vasoconstrictors improves the prognosis of HRS patients. The only curative treatment of HRS so far is improvement of liver function implying liver transplantation in many cases. TIPS placement may be useful as a bridging tool to transplantation unless hepatic encephalopathy is present. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a relevant, independent risk factor for HRS. In patients with liver cirrhosis and SBP in addition to antibiotics, preventive albumin treatment is recommended.