Terlipressin and gelafundin: safe therapy of hepatorenal syndrome.

Abstract

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) occurs in about 20 % of patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites and is characterized by intensive renal vasoconstriction, low glomerular filtration rate but preserved tubular function and normal renal histology. The potential of terlipressin and albumin to reverse HRS after a time period of 14 days has already been shown. However, intravenous albumin is expensive (approximately 25 per 50 ml 20% albumin in Germany) and has limited availability in some settings. Therefore we used an artificial plasma substitute, Gelatinepolysuccinat, which is less expensive (approximately 12 per 500 ml). The aim of our present study was to examine the effects of terlipressin and Gelatinepolysuccinat on renal function and hemodynamics in a time period of six days.