title: Hepatorenal syndrome: a comprehensive overview for the critical care nurse.
abstract: Over the past 50 years, the pathophysiology and features of the hepatorenal syndrome have been illuminated. The syndrome can be divided into 2 distinct clinical patterns: a rapidly progressive renal failure with an extremely poor prognosis (type 1) and a slow progressive renal failure that correlates with the degree of cirrhosis (type 2). Although our understanding of hepatorenal syndrome continues to grow, our current methods of treating this condition remain limited in their effectiveness. The only definitive therapy is liver transplantation. This is a review of the definition, pathophysiology, and current recommendations for management of hepatorenal syndrome with the critical care nurse in mind.
authors.affiliation: Solid Organ Transplant, Department of Pharmacy Services, Henry Ford Hospital, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. jflemin2@hfhs.org
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abou Abbass
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care; D018450:Disease Progression; D006530:Hepatorenal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008236:Lypressin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019168:Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic; D012307:Risk Factors; D000077585:Terlipressin; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D008236:Lypressin; D000077585:Terlipressin