Ischemic skin necrosis secondary to the use of terlipressin

We present the case of a 45-year-old male with alcoholic liver cirrhosis Child-Pugh C and chronic left lower limb lymphedema, hospitalized because of ascites and renal impairment (Cr 2.33 mg/dl). He received intravenous albumin and terlipressin (1 mg every 4h) for suspected hepatorenal syndrome. After 48 hours, purpuric skin lesions appeared on both lower extremities, scrotum and umbilical hernia. Renal function improved (Cr 0.49 mg/dl). Nevertheless, terlipressin was discontinued as the skin lesions worsened due to epidermal detachment, and oral sildenafil was administered at 50 mg twice per day. The left lower limb was severely affected with extensive skin and soft tissue necrosis, which led to supracondylar amputation. All the other lesions had a satisfactory evolution, with reepithelialization of the damaged areas.