Renal Insufficiency in Patients with Cirrhosis

Renal failure is one of the most prevalent complications in patients with cirrhosis and is of the utmost prognostic relevance. Acute kidney injury (AKI) in cirrhosis results from a spectrum of etiologies, of which hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) carries the worst prognosis. Correct differentiation of the etiology of AKI in cirrhosis is imperative, as treatment defers substantially. This review summarizes the current diagnostic criteria, pathophysiology , diagnosis, and therapeutic concepts for AKI and HRS–AKI in cirrhosis.