Aa
Is dialysis safe for Cirrhosis?
Our uncle has High creatinine levels, critical potassium levels and in Kidney failure, he has stage 4 cirrhosis. Dialysis is the only hope we have if not they predict 2-4 weeks tops. Everything I have researched was that dialysis was not reccomended for cirrhosis. That is the only plan of attack. I dont know if that is to rule out everything to determine if he has hepatorenal syndrome or not but I do not want it to also take the time we do have however grim. Anyone have any experience with dialysis with Cirrhosis?
So sorry to read this about your uncle.
You should trust his treatment team they are expert in his care.
Heptorenal syndrome is a common complication of liver cirrhosis.
I didn’t see anything saying dialysis is not recommended it seems to be the primary treatment
My assumption is he would need a combined liver kidney transplant but his options would best be discussed with his doctors.
“Treatment
The goal of treatment is to help the liver work better and to make sure the heart is able to pump enough blood to the body.
Treatment is about the same as for kidney failure from any cause. It includes:
Stopping all unnecessary medicines, especially ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, certain antibiotics, and diuretics ("water pills")
Having dialysis to improve symptoms
Taking medicines to improve blood pressure and help your kidneys work better; infusion of albumin may also be helpful
Placing a shunt (known as TIPS) to relieve the symptoms of ascites (this may also help kidney function, but the procedure can be risky)
Surgery to place a shunt from the abdominal space to the jugular vein to relieve some symptoms of kidney failure (this procedure is risky and is rarely done)”
Diagnosis:
“This condition is diagnosed after testing to rule out other causes of kidney failure.
A physical exam does not detect kidney failure directly. However, the exam will very often show signs of chronic liver disease, such as:
Confusion (often due to hepatic encephalopathy)
Excess fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
Jaundice
Other signs of liver failure
Other signs include:
Abnormal reflexes
Smaller testicles
Dull sound in the belly area when tapped with the tips of the fingers
Increased breast tissue (gynecomastia)
Sores (lesions) on the skin
The following may be signs of kidney failure:
Very little or no urine output
Fluid retention in the abdomen or extremities
Increased BUN and creatinine blood levels
Increased urine specific gravity and osmolality
Low blood sodium
Very low urine sodium concentration
The following may be signs of liver failure:
Abnormal prothrombin time (PT)
Increased blood ammonia level
Low blood albumin
Paracentesis shows ascites
Signs of hepatic encephalopathy (an EEG may be done)”
Best wishes to you and your family
You should trust his treatment team they are expert in his care.
Heptorenal syndrome is a common complication of liver cirrhosis.
I didn’t see anything saying dialysis is not recommended it seems to be the primary treatment
My assumption is he would need a combined liver kidney transplant but his options would best be discussed with his doctors.
“Treatment
The goal of treatment is to help the liver work better and to make sure the heart is able to pump enough blood to the body.
Treatment is about the same as for kidney failure from any cause. It includes:
Stopping all unnecessary medicines, especially ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, certain antibiotics, and diuretics ("water pills")
Having dialysis to improve symptoms
Taking medicines to improve blood pressure and help your kidneys work better; infusion of albumin may also be helpful
Placing a shunt (known as TIPS) to relieve the symptoms of ascites (this may also help kidney function, but the procedure can be risky)
Surgery to place a shunt from the abdominal space to the jugular vein to relieve some symptoms of kidney failure (this procedure is risky and is rarely done)”
Diagnosis:
“This condition is diagnosed after testing to rule out other causes of kidney failure.
A physical exam does not detect kidney failure directly. However, the exam will very often show signs of chronic liver disease, such as:
Confusion (often due to hepatic encephalopathy)
Excess fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
Jaundice
Other signs of liver failure
Other signs include:
Abnormal reflexes
Smaller testicles
Dull sound in the belly area when tapped with the tips of the fingers
Increased breast tissue (gynecomastia)
Sores (lesions) on the skin
The following may be signs of kidney failure:
Very little or no urine output
Fluid retention in the abdomen or extremities
Increased BUN and creatinine blood levels
Increased urine specific gravity and osmolality
Low blood sodium
Very low urine sodium concentration
The following may be signs of liver failure:
Abnormal prothrombin time (PT)
Increased blood ammonia level
Low blood albumin
Paracentesis shows ascites
Signs of hepatic encephalopathy (an EEG may be done)”
Best wishes to you and your family
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Cirrhosis of the Liver Community
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
