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Hepatorenal Syndrome: Resolution of Ascites by Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in an Alcoholic Coinfected with Hepatitis B, C, and Human Immunodeficiency Viruses

Address correspondence to Paul C. Hansard, M.D., Kings County Hospital Center, 451 Clarkson Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA; tel 718 245 3820; fax 718 245 3764; e-mail phansard{at}pol.net.

A 39-yr-old male with hepatorenal syndrome type 1 and refractory ascites was treated with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) resulting in clinical improvement. He was positive for antibodies to hepatitis B, C, and human immunodeficiency viruses, and had a history of chronic alcohol and iv drug abuse. The patient had 4 hospital admissions during a 12-wk period. He first presented with advanced liver disease including pedal edema and a serum ammonia level of 56 µmol/L (reference range: 11 – 35 µmol/L). In subsequent admissions, he had asterixis, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, and worsening pedal edema. On his 4th admission, there was lethargy, tense ascites, decreased urinary output, bilateral edema of the lower extremities and scrotum, serum creatinine of 6.2 mg/dl (reference range: 0.6 – 1.5 mg/dl), and weight gain of 16 kg during the prior 8 wk. During the first 3 hospitalizations, he was treated with lactulose with slight improvement. On the 4th admission, he was started on low-dose dopamine (3 µg/kg/min) and 25% salt-poor albumin without clinical improvement. A pulmonary artery catheter was placed and hemofiltration by CRRT was performed for 5 days, with removal of 26.7 L of fluid and a net reduction of 11 kg of body weight. Serum creatinine decreased to 4.2 mg/dl during CRRT and was 2.2 mg/dl at hospital discharge 2 weeks later. His PaO₂ improved from 66 to 78 mmHg and his systemic vascular resistance increased from 571 to 799 dyne·sec/cm⁵. CRRT was effective in relieving severe fluid retention and producing marked clinical improvement. We suggest that CRRT should be considered for the treatment of refractory ascites including that caused by hepatorenal syndrome.

Keywords: continuous renal replacement therapy, hemofiltration, hepatorenal syndrome, ascites