Background and aim: Liver transplantation remains the best option for treating type-1 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS1). The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether the molecular adsorbent recirculation system (MARS) can improve renal function in HRS1 patients.
Methods: Thirty-two patients with chronic liver disease and HRS1 were treated by MARS sessions which were performed every other day. The endpoint was renal function improvement by 28 days after diagnosis of HRS1 that was defined as a serum-creatinine level of < 133 μmol/L. Partial renal recovery was defined as a 10% decrease in baseline serum-creatinine level.
Results: The mean number of MARS sessions required by each patient was 3.5 ± 1.5. The median time between admission and the start of MARS therapy was 3 (0-15) days. Of the total patients, 13 (40%) had improved renal function. Among these, nine (28%) had complete renal recovery. Among the patients that survived, only 40% (6/15) had improved renal function, and among the patients that died within the first month after the initiation of MARS, seven patients had a renal response. The 28-day survival rate was 47%. Seven patients received a liver transplant after diagnosis of HRS. Of these, four had complete or partial recovery after transplantation (57%) versus 9 of the 25 patients who did not undergo liver transplantation (36%), P = not significant.
Conclusion: MARS therapy improved renal function in only very few patients with HRS1. Further controlled studies including large number of patients are required.
© 2013 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.