Response to dopamine hydrochloride in the hepatorenal syndrome.

Abstract

Functional renal failure accompanying advanced cirrhosis of the liver carries a grave prognosis. Seven patients with the hepatorenal syndrome and five patients with decompensated cirrhosis of the liver without renal failure were studied by the xenon Xe 133 washout technique. Mean renal blood flow and its cortical component were decreased in both groups compared to normal transplant donors, but to a significantly greater degree in hepatorenal syndrome. In hepatorenal patients, intra-arterial infusion of subpresor doses of dopamine hydrochloride improved the angiographic appearance of the renal cortical vasculatrue and the cortical blood flow rate. Urine flow rate and glomerular filtration rate did not consistently improve with 12- to 24-hour intravenous infusions, although two patients survived, temporally related to the study. These patients had shown signs of liver function recovery.

• Authors: W M Bennett, E Keeffe, C Melnyk, D Mahler, J Rösch, G A Porter
• Journal: Archives of internal medicine (Arch Intern Med) Vol. 135 Issue 7 Pg. 964-71 (Jul 1975) ISSN: 0003-9926 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1156055 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Xenon Radioisotopes
• Dopamine

Topics

• Adult
• Dopamine (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Kidney (physiopathology)
• Kidney Cortex (blood supply)
• Kidney Diseases (drug therapy)
• Kidney Function Tests
• Liver Cirrhosis (drug therapy)
• Liver Diseases (drug therapy)
• Liver Function Tests
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Regional Blood Flow (drug effects)
• Xenon Radioisotopes