High-Dose Albumin Treatment for Hepatorenal Syndrome—January 31, 2000

High-Dose Albumin Treatment for Hepatorenal Syndrome—January 31, 2000

The causes of hepatorenal syndrome are extremely complex, but current scholars believe that spasm of intrarenal vessels leads to insufficient renal blood flow, cortical ischemia, reduced glomerular filtration, ultimately resulting in oliguria and decreased urea nitrogen excretion. Large doses of albumin (initial infusion of 150g, followed by another 60g on the third day) can expand blood volume, helping to relieve spasm of glomerular vessels, increase renal blood flow, and thus improve renal function. However, given the large dosage, the patient’s cardiac and renal tolerance must be considered, especially for elderly patients, as rapid and massive expansion of blood volume can lead to acute cardiac dysfunction. Moreover, the cost of large-scale albumin infusion is quite high; typically, each course (two infusions of 150g each) costs 7,800 yuan, which is undoubtedly a heavy burden for ordinary patients.