Hepatorenal syndrome. Long-term treatment with terlipressin as a bridge to liver transplantation.

In patients with hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), 4-hr administration of a vasopressin analog has recently been shown to benefit renal blood flow and renal function. However, long-term effects and tolerance of this treatment have not been reported. We report a case of HRS that was controlled by the vasopressin analog, terlipressin. Because HRS repeatedly relapsed when treatment was discontinued, terlipressin, 2 mg/day was administered for 67 days, until liver transplantation could be performed in a patient with normal renal function. Except for limited cutaneous necrosis at an injection point, prolonged treatment with this vasopressin analog was well tolerated.