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Terlipressin and Albumin in Patients with Cirrhosis and Type I Hepatorenal Syndrome

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Abstract

Purpose: Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a pre-renal-like dysfunction that generally onsets in cirrhotic patients presenting ascites. We investigated the improvement of renal function in subjects with hepatorenal syndrome after terlipressin administration and the survival times after this treatment. Fifty-two patients affected by cirrhosis, with diagnosis of hepatorenal syndrome were treated with intravenous terlipressin plus albumin (group A) or with albumin alone (group B). Liver and renal function, plasma renin activity, and aldosterone plasma levels were monitored. Results: Patients from group A showed a significant improvement (p < 0.001) of renal function valued by creatinine rate compared with the results obtained in group B. The probability of survival was higher in the group A (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Our results seem to confirm that the administration of terlipressin plus albumin improves renal function in patients with cirrhosis and type I HRS and that a reversal of hepatorenal syndrome is strongly associated with improved survival.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine and Systemic Diseases, Liver Operative Unit, Catania University Polyclinic, Via S. Sofia 86 (edificio 29. I piano), Catania, 95123, Italy

    Sergio Neri, Davide Pulvirenti, Luca Ignaccolo & Pietro Castellino

  2. Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Cannizzaro Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Mariano Malaguarnera

  3. Department of Internal Medicine and Systemic Diseases, Liver Operative Unit, S. Marta Hospital, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Bruno M. Cosimo & Gaetano Bertino

  4. Internal Medicine, Garibaldi Hospital, Catania, Italy

    Sebasiano Siringo

Authors
  1. Sergio Neri
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  2. Davide Pulvirenti
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  3. Mariano Malaguarnera
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  4. Bruno M. Cosimo
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  5. Gaetano Bertino
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  6. Luca Ignaccolo
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  7. Sebasiano Siringo
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  8. Pietro Castellino
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Correspondence to Sergio Neri.

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Neri, S., Pulvirenti, D., Malaguarnera, M. et al. Terlipressin and Albumin in Patients with Cirrhosis and Type I Hepatorenal Syndrome. Dig Dis Sci 53, 830–835 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-007-9919-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-007-9919-9

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