Terlipressin use and respiratory failure in patients with hepatorenal syndrome type 1 and severe acute-on-chronic liver failure

Florence Wong, Stephen Chris Pappas, K. Rajender Reddy, Hugo Vargas, Michael P. Curry, Arun Sanyal, Khurram Jamil

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Previous studies suggested increased mortality in patients with hepatorenal syndrome type 1 (HRS1) and advanced acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). Aim: To assess mortality and respiratory failure (RF) in patients with HRS1 and ACLF treated with terlipressin. Methods: In the CONFIRM study, we randomised 299 patients with HRS1 2:1 to terlipressin or placebo, both with albumin. At enrolment, all patients were assessed for organ failure (OF) using a validated ACLF grading system. Post hoc analyses assessed the effects of terlipressin vs. placebo on the incidence of RF and 90-day mortality. Results: The incidence of RF with terlipressin (n = 200) was 9.4% in patients with grades 1–2 ACLF, and 30% with grade 3 ACLF (p = 0.0002); no such difference was observed in placebo-treated patients (n = 99) (6.2% grades 1–2 vs. 0% grade 3 ACLF, p > 0.05). RF incidence between terlipressin and placebo in patients with grade 3 ACLF was significant (p = 0.01). Baseline predictors of RF with terlipressin were INR (p = 0.011), mean arterial pressure (p = 0.037), and SpO2 (p = 0.014). Prior albumin as a continuous variable was not a predictor of RF. 90-day survival between terlipressin and placebo arms was similar for grades 1–2 ACLF (55.5% and 56.6%, respectively), but lower for grade 3 ACLF (27.55% vs. 50.0%) (p = 0.122), mainly related to RF. Conclusion: Terlipressin should be used with caution in patients with HRS1 and grade 3 ACLF. Patients with hypoxaemia are at increased risk of RF and mortality.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1284-1293
Number of pages10
JournalAlimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Volume56
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2022

Keywords

  • ascites
  • cirrhosis
  • liver
  • portal hypertension

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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