Pleural Effusions Identified by Point-of-Care Ultrasound Predict Poor Outcomes in Decompensated Cirrhosis

Sound waves and solutions: Point-of-care ultrasonography for acute kidney injury in cirrhosis

This article delves into the intricate challenges of acute kidney injury (AKI) in cirrhosis, a condition fraught with high morbidity and mortality. The complexities arise from distinguishing between various causes of AKI, particularly hemodynamic AKI, in cirrhotic patients, who experience hemodynamic changes due to portal hypertension. The term "hepatocardiorenal syndrome" is introduced to encapsulate the intricate interplay among the liver, heart, and kidneys. The narrative emphasizes the often-overlooked aspect of cardiac function in AKI assessments in cirrhosis, unveiling the prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy marked by impaired diastolic function. The conventional empiric approach involving volume expansion and vasopressors for hepatorenal syndrome is critically analyzed, highlighting potential risks and variable patient responses. We advocate for a nuanced algorithm for AKI evaluation in cirrhosis, prominently featuring point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS). POCUS applications encompass assessing fluid tolerance, detecting venous congestion, and evaluating cardiac function.

Point-of-care ultrasonography in cirrhosis-related acute kidney injury: How I do it

Discerning the etiology of acute kidney injury (AKI) in cirrhotic patients remains a formidable challenge due to diverse and overlapping causes. The conventional approach of empiric albumin administration for suspected volume depletion may inadvertently lead to fluid overload. In the recent past, point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) has emerged as a valuable adjunct to clinical assessment, offering advantages in terms of diagnostic accuracy, rapidity, cost-effectiveness, and patient satisfaction. This review provides insights into the strategic use of POCUS in evaluating cirrhotic patients with AKI. The review distinguishes basic and advanced POCUS, emphasizing a 5-point basic POCUS protocol for efficient assessment. This protocol includes evaluations of the kidneys and urinary bladder for obstructive nephropathy, lung ultrasound for detecting extravascular lung water, inferior vena cava (IVC) ultrasound for estimating right atrial pressure, internal jugular vein ultrasound as an alternative to IVC assessment, and focused cardiac ultrasound for assessing left ventricular (LV) systolic function and identifying potential causes of a plethoric IVC. Advanced POCUS delves into additional Doppler parameters, including stroke volume and cardiac output, LV filling pressures and venous congestion assessment to diagnose or prevent iatrogenic fluid overload. POCUS, when employed judiciously, enhances the diagnostic precision in evaluating AKI in cirrhotic patients, guiding appropriate therapeutic interventions, and minimizing the risk of fluid-related complications.

Expert Review on Contemporary Management of Common Benign Pleural Effusions

Heart failure (HF) and cirrhosis are frequently associated with pleural effusions (PEs). Despite their apparently benign nature, both HF-related effusions and hepatic hydrothorax (HH) have poor prognosis because they represent an advanced stage of the disease. Optimization of medical therapy in these two entities involve not only the use of diuretics, but also other pharmacological therapies. For instance, all HF patients with reduced or mildly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction can benefit from angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, beta blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors. Conversely, it is better for HH patients to avoid nonselective beta blockers. Refractory cardiac- and cirrhosis-related PEs are commonly managed by iterative therapeutic thoracentesis. When repeated aspirations are needed, thereby diminishing quality of life, the insertion of an indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) may be warranted. However, in selected HH patients who are diuretic-resistant or diuretic-intractable, placement of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts should be considered as a bridge to liver transplantation, whereas in transplant candidates the role of IPC is debatable. Another benign condition, pleural tuberculosis (TB) is a serious health problem in developing countries. Diagnostic certainty is still a concern due to the paucibacillary nature of the infection, although the use of more sensitive nucleic acid amplification tests is becoming more widespread. Its treatment is the same as that of pulmonary TB, but the potential drug interactions between antiretroviral and anti-TB drugs in HIV-coinfected patients as well as the current recommended guidelines for the different types of anti-TB drugs resistance should be followed.

Nonmalignant Pleural Effusions

Although the potential causes of nonmalignant pleural effusions are many, the management of a few, including complicated pleural infections and refractory heart failure and hepatic hydrothoraces, can be challenging and requires the assistance of interventional pulmonologists. A pragmatic approach to complicated parapneumonic effusions or empyemas is the insertion of a small-bore chest tube (e.g., 14-16 Fr) through which fibrinolytics (e.g., urokinase and alteplase) and DNase are administered in combination. Therapeutic thoracenteses are usually reserved for small to moderate effusions that are expected to be completely aspirated at a single time, whereas video-assisted thoracic surgery should be considered after failure of intrapleural enzyme therapy. Refractory cardiac and liver-induced pleural effusions portend a poor prognosis. In cases of heart failure-related effusions, therapeutic thoracentesis is the first-line palliative therapy. However, if it is frequently needed, an indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) is recommended. In patients with hepatic hydrothorax, repeated therapeutic thoracenteses are commonly performed while a multidisciplinary decision on the most appropriate definitive management is taken. The percutaneous creation of a portosystemic shunt may be used as a bridge to liver transplantation or as a potential definitive therapy in nontransplant candidates. In general, an IPC should be avoided because of the high risk of complications, particularly infections, that may jeopardize candidacy for liver transplantation. Even so, in noncandidates for liver transplant or surgical correction of diaphragmatic defects, IPC is a therapeutic option as valid as serial thoracenteses.