Mechanisms of kidney dysfunction in the cirrhotic patient: Non-hepatorenal acute-on-chronic kidney damage considerations

Hepatocardiorenal syndrome in liver cirrhosis: Recognition of a new entity?

Emerging evidence and perspectives have pointed towards the heart playing an important role in hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), outside of conventional understanding that liver cirrhosis is traditionally considered the sole origin of a cascade of pathophysiological mechanisms directly affecting the kidneys in this context. In the absence of established heart disease, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy may occur more frequently in those with liver cirrhosis and kidney disease. It is a specific form of cardiac dysfunction characterized by blunted contractile responsiveness to stress stimuli and altered diastolic relaxation with electrophysiological abnormalities. Despite the clinical description of these potential cardiac-related complications of the liver, the role of the heart has traditionally been an overlooked aspect of circulatory dysfunction in HRS. Yet from a physiological sense, temporality (prior onset) of cardiorenal interactions in HRS and positive effects stemming from portosystemic shunting demonstrated an important role of the heart in the development and progression of kidney dysfunction in cirrhotic patients. In this review, we discuss current concepts surrounding how the heart may influence the development and progression of HRS, and the role of systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction causing circulatory dysfunction within this setting. The temporality of heart and kidney dysfunction in HRS will be discussed. For a subgroup of patients who receive portosystemic shunting, the dynamics of cardiorenal interactions following treatment is reviewed. Continued research to determine the unknowns in this topic is anticipated, hopefully to further clarify the intricacies surrounding the liver-heart-kidney connection and improve strategies for management.

Hepatorenal Syndrome-Novel Insights into Diagnostics and Treatment

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a disorder associated with cirrhosis and renal impairment, with portal hypertension as its major underlying cause. Moreover, HRS is the third most common cause of acute kidney injury, thus creating a major public health concern. This review summarizes the available information on the pathophysiological implications of HRS. We discuss pathogenesis associated with HRS. Mechanisms such as dysfunction of the circulatory system, bacterial infection, inflammation, impaired renal autoregulation, circulatory, and others, which have been identified as critical pathways for development of HRS, have become easier to diagnose in recent years. Additionally, relatively recently, renal dysfunction biomarkers have been found indicating renal injury, which are involved in the pathophysiology of HRS. This review also summarizes the available information on the management of HRS, focusing on vasoconstrictive drugs, renal replacement therapy, and liver transplant together with currently being investigated novel therapies. Analyzing new discoveries for the underlying causes of this condition assists the general research to improve understanding of the mechanism of pathophysiology and thus prevention of HRS.

Extracorporeal organ support and the kidney

The concept of extracorporeal organ support (ECOS) encompasses kidney, respiratory, cardiac and hepatic support. In an era of increasing incidence and survival of patients with single or multiple organ failure, knowledge on both multiorgan crosstalk and the physiopathological consequences of extracorporeal organ support have become increasingly important. Immerse within the cross-talk of multiple organ failure (MOF), Acute kidney injury (AKI) may be a part of the clinical presentation in patients undergoing ECOS, either as a concurrent clinical issue since the very start of ECOS or as a de novo event at any point in the clinical course. At any point during the clinical course of a patient with single or multiple organ failure undergoing ECOS, renal function may improve or deteriorate, as a result of the interaction of multiple factors, including multiorgan crosstalk and physiological consequences of ECOS. Common physiopathological ways in which ECOS may influence renal function includes: 1) multiorgan crosstalk (preexisting or de-novo 2)Hemodynamic changes and 3) ECOS-associated coagulation abnormalities and 3) Also, cytokine profile switch, neurohumoral changes and toxins clearance may contribute to the expected physiological changes related to ECOS. The main objective of this review is to summarize the described mechanisms influencing the renal function during the course of ECOS, including renal replacement therapy, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation/carbon dioxide removal and albumin dialysis.

Association between liver stiffness measurement by transient elastography and chronic kidney disease

ABSTRACT

Transient elastography or elastometry (TE) is widely used for clinically cirrhosis and liver steatosis examination. Liver fibrosis and fatty liver had been known to share some co-morbidities that may result in chronic impairment in renal function. We conducted a study to analyze the association between scores of 2 TE parameters, liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), with chronic kidney disease among health checkup population.This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Our study explored the data of the health checkup population between January 2009 and the end of June 2018 in a regional hospital. All patients were aged more than 18 year-old. Data from a total of 1940 persons were examined in the present study. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated by the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD-simplify-GFR) equation. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined as eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2.The median of CAP and LSM score was 242, 265.5, and 4.3, 4.95 in non-CKD (eGFR > 60) and CKD (eGFR < 60) group, respectively. In stepwise regression model, we adjust for LSM, CAP, inflammatory markers, serum biochemistry markers of liver function, and metabolic risks factors. The P value of LSM score, ALT, AST, respectively is .005, <.001, and <.001 in this model.The LSM score is an independent factor that could be used to predict renal function impairment according to its correlation with eGFR. This result can further infer that hepatic fibrosis may be a risk factor for CKD.

The Role of Deep Learning-Based Echocardiography in the Diagnosis and Evaluation of the Effects of Routine Anti-Heart-Failure Western Medicines in Elderly Patients with Acute Left Heart Failure

Objective

The role of deep learning-based echocardiography in the diagnosis and evaluation of the effects of routine anti-heart-failure Western medicines was investigated in elderly patients with acute left heart failure (ALHF).

Methods

A total of 80 elderly patients with ALHF admitted to Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital from August 2017 to February 2019 were selected as the research objects, and they were divided randomly into a control group and an observation group, with 40 cases in each group. Then, a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) algorithm model was established, and image preprocessing was carried out. The binarized threshold segmentation was used for denoising, and the image was for illumination processing to balance the overall brightness of the image and increase the usable data of the model, so as to reduce the interference of subsequent feature extraction. Finally, the detailed module of deep convolutional layer network algorithm was realized. Besides, the patients from the control group were given routine echocardiography, and the observation group underwent echocardiography based on deep learning algorithm. Moreover, the hospitalization status of patients from the two groups was observed and recorded, including mortality rate, rehospitalization rate, average length of hospitalization, and hospitalization expenses. The diagnostic accuracy of the two examination methods was compared, and the electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiographic parameters as well as patients' quality of life were recorded in both groups at the basic state and 5 months after drug treatment.

Results

After comparison, the rehospitalization rate and mortality rate of the observation group were lower than the rates of the control group, but the diagnostic accuracy was higher than that of the control group. However, the difference between the two groups of patients was not statistically marked (P > 0.05). The length and expenses of hospitalization of the observation group were both less than those of the control group. The specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of the examination methods in the observation group were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically marked (P < 0.05). There was a statistically great difference between the interventricular delay (IVD) of the echocardiographic parameters of patients from the two groups at the basic state and the left ventricular electromechanical delay (LVEMD) parameter values after 5 months of treatment (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the other parameters. After treatment, the quality of life of patients from the two groups was improved, while the observation group was more marked than the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Echocardiography based on deep learning algorithm had high diagnostic accuracy and could reduce the possibility of cardiovascular events in patients with heart failure, so as to decrease the mortality rate and diagnosis and treatment costs. Moreover, it had an obvious diagnostic effect, which was conducive to the timely detection and treatment of clinical diseases.

Acute kidney injury and hepatorenal syndrome in cirrhosis

Acute kidney injury (AKI) in cirrhosis, including hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), is a common and serious complication in cirrhotic patients, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. AKI is separated into two categories, non-HRS AKI and HRS-AKI. The most recent definition and diagnostic criteria of AKI in cirrhosis and HRS have helped diagnose and prognosticate the disease. The pathophysiology behind non-HRS-AKI and HRS is more complicated than once theorized and involves more processes than just splanchnic vasodilation. The common biomarkers clinicians use to assess kidney injury have significant limitations in cirrhosis patients; novel biomarkers being studied have shown promise but require further studies in clinical settings and animal models. The overall management of non-HRS AKI and HRS-AKI requires a systematic approach. Although pharmacological treatments have shown mortality benefit, the ideal HRS treatment option is liver transplantation with or without simultaneous kidney transplantation. Further research is required to optimize pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches to treatment. This article reviews the current guidelines and recommendations of AKI in cirrhosis.

[Chronic kidney injury in patients with liver diseases - Reappraising pathophysiology and treatment options]

Acute and chronic kidney disease concurs commonly with liver disease and is associated with a wide array of complications including dialysis dependency and increased mortality. Patients with liver disease or liver cirrhosis show a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease. This is attributed to concomitant comorbidities, such as metabolic syndrome, chronic inflammation, hypercoagulability, hyperfibrinolysis, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemias. But chronic progressive kidney disease is not always due to hepatorenal syndrome. Beyond that, other diseases or disease entities should be considered. Among them are diabetic nephropathy, secondary IgA nephropathy, hepatitis C -associated membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis (MPGN) and hepatitis B-associated membranous nephropathy.Coexisting diseases, similar underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms, or simultaneously concurring pathophysiological processes and overlapping clinical manifestations, impede the etiologic diagnosis and corresponding treatment of chronic kidney disease in the setting of chronic liver disease. In this review, we focus on common and rare pathologies, which can lead to chronic kidney disease in this particular patient group and try to summarize the most recent therapeutic modalities.