title: [The hepatorenal syndrome].
abstract: The hepatorenal syndrome is a renal failure in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. It is characterized by the absence of histological lesions of the kidneys and a poor prognosis. The functional renal failure is due to active cortical vasoconstriction, the mechanism of which is unknown. Blockade of prostaglandins, which are vasoactive substances necessary to maintain a normal renal blood flow, results in a transient hepatorenal syndrome in cirrhotic patients with ascites. Leukotriens, which are vasoconstrictive substances, might play a major causative role. There is, as yet, no specific treatment.
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007672:Kidney Cortex / Q000098:blood supply; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D013577:Syndrome; D014661:Vasoconstriction
vernacular_title: Le syndrome hépato-rénal.