Hepatorenal Syndrome

Synonyms

• Hepato-Renal Syndrome
• HRS

Disorder Subdivisions

• None

General Discussion

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a form of impaired kidney function that occurs in individuals with advanced liver disease. Individuals with hepatorenal syndrome do not have any identifiable cause of kidney dysfunction and the kidneys themselves are not structural damaged. Therefore, hepatorenal syndrome may be referred as a "functional" form of kidney impairment. In fact, if the kidney of an individual with hepatorenal syndrome were to be transplanted into an otherwise healthy individual, it would function normally. Hepatorenal syndrome is classified into to two distinct types. Type I is a rapidly progressive condition that leads to renal failure; type II does not have a rapid course.



Although the hepatorenal syndrome occurs in individuals with liver disease, the exact cause of the condition is unknown. Researchers have noted that blood circulation is abnormal in individuals with hepatorenal syndrome. The arteries that circulate oxygenated blood from the lungs to the rest of the body (systemic circulation) widen in contrast to the arteries of the kidney, which narrow causing a decrease in the blood flow through the kidney. Many affected individuals also have high blood pressure of the branches of the portal vein (portal hypertension), the main vein that carries blood from the intestines to the liver.

Resources

American Association of Kidney Patients

3505 East Frontage Road

Suite 315

Tampa, FL 33607

USA

Tel: (813)636-8100

Fax: (813)636-8122

Tel: (800)749-2257

Email: info@aakp.org

Internet: http://www.aakp.org



American Kidney Fund, Inc.

6110 Executive Boulevard

Suite 1010

Rockville, MD 20852

USA

Tel: (301)881-3052

Fax: (301)881-0898

Tel: (800)638-8299

Email: helpline@kideyfund.org

Internet: http://www.kidneyfund.org



American Liver Foundation

75 Maiden Lane

Suite 603

New York, NY 10038

USA

Tel: (212)668-1000

Fax: (212)483-8179

Tel: (800)465-4837

Email: info@liverfoundation.org

Internet: http://www.liverfoundation.org



National Kidney Foundation

30 East 33rd Street

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212)889-2210

Fax: (212)689-9261

Tel: (800)622-9010

Email: info@kidney.org

Internet: http://www.kidney.org



NIH/National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse

3 Information Way

Bethesda, MD 20892-3580

Tel: (800)891-5390

Email: nkudic@info.niddk.nih.gov

Internet: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  11/12/2008

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