Author information

• ¹Sandra Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases, Northwell Health, 400 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA. Electronic address: tcsak@northwell.edu.
• ²Division of Hepatology and Sandra Atlas Bass Center for Liver Diseases, Northwell Health, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, 400 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA.

Abstract

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is defined as a functional renal failure without major histologic changes in individuals with severe liver disease and it is associated with a high mortality rate. Renal hypoperfusion due to marked vasoconstriction as a result of complex circulatory dysfunction has been suggested to be the cornerstone of HRS. Splanchnic and peripheral arterial vasodilation and cirrhotic cardiomyopathy result in effective arterial hypovolemia and compensatory activation of vasoconstrictor mechanisms. The efficacy of current therapeutic strategies targeting this circulatory dysfunction is limited. Increasing evidence suggests a substantial role of systemic inflammation in HRS via either vascular or direct renal effects. Here we summarize the current understanding of HRS pathophysiology.