Hepatorenal Syndrome

See all Pictures & Images

Hepatorenal Syndrome Treatment

Treatment is directed to improving liver function, if possible, and to ensuring that circulating blood volume and cardiac output (heart pumping action) are adequate. The disorder is generally treated in the same manner as kidney failure from any cause. All unnecessary drugs (particularly neomycin, NSAIDS and diuretics) are stopped. Dialysis may improve symptoms. There are medications such as octreotide, midodrine, and dopamine, which may be used as a temporary measure to improve kidney function.

Surgical placement of a shunt from the abdominal space (peritoneum) to the jugular vein or superior vena cava (called a Levine shunt) may reduce ascites and reverse some of the symptoms of kidney failure.