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Renal Failure Due to Liver Disease

Renal failure due to liver disease is called hepatorenal syndrome. It occurs in some patients with advanced liver disease or cirrhosis (a scarred liver).

  1. The Liver and Kidneys

    • In hepatorenal syndrome, the liver is unable to filter toxins from the bloodstream, the kidneys cannot excrete the toxins and waste products, which build up in the body.

    The Heart

    • The heart works harder and fluid accumulates in the body because of reduced urine output.

    Problems

    • Patients who develop hepatorenal syndrome have symptoms such as fatigue, reduced sense of taste, decreased urine output, and blood tests which show a decline in renal function. Other common symptoms are muscle wasting, yellowing of the eyes and fluid retention in the stomach and legs.

    Types

    • Type 1 hepatorenal syndrome describes a progressive renal impairment with a low survival rate. Type 2 hepatorenal syndrome is a less severe reduction in kidney and liver function with a survival rate of 3 to 6 months.

    Risk

    • Not all patients with advanced liver disease develop hepatorenal syndrome. People with severe fluid retention are at the highest risk of developing the disease.

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