Beneficial effect of 8-ornithin vasopressin on renal dysfunction in decompensated cirrhosis

Abstract

In nine patients with decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver and impaired renal function the effect of 8-ornithin vasopressin (ornipressin) on renal function and haemodynamic parameters was studied. Ornipressin was infused at a dose of 6 IU/h over a period of four hours. During ornipressin infusion an improvement of renal function was achieved as indicated by an increase of creatinine clearance (76 (15)%; p<0·01), urine volume (108 (29)%; p<0·05) and sodium excretion (168 (30)%; p<0·05). The hyperdynamic circulation of hepatic failure, as characterised by increased cardiac index and heart rate as well as decreased systemic vascular resistance was reversed to a nearly normal circulatory state during ornipressin infusion. The raised noradrenaline plasma concentration (1·74 (0·31) ng/ml) and plasma renin activity (13·5 (3·9) ng/ml/h) were lowered during ornipressin infusion to 0·87 (0·21) ng/ml and 5·9 (2·1) ng/ml/h, respectively (p<0·01). The efficacy of a vasoconstrictor agent in reverting a hyperdynamic state and improving renal function provides evidence for the substantial role of accumulation of vasodilator substances and subsequent activation of sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin-axis in the pathogenesis of renal dysfunction in hepatic failure. Values are expressed as mean (SE).