Effects of adding hypertonic saline solutions and/or etilefrine to standard diuretics therapy in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

OBJECTIVE

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation is the milestone in ascites formation. Hypertonic saline solution (HSS) has attracted considerable interest over the last years in ascites control. Other therapeutic models and concepts have been introduced to overcome diuretic resistance and control ascites. We aimed to evaluate the effects of adding HSS infusion and/or etilefrine to oral diuretics therapy on inflammatory and metabolic pathways, renal and systemic hemodynamics, and clinical outcomes by estimating the changes in selected biochemical and biological markers in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Ninety cirrhotic patients with ascites were studied after administration of HSS infusion (n=25) or etilefrine tablets (n=25), or both (n=25) plus standard diuretics therapy (SDT), or SDT alone (n=15). Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), aldosterone, leptin, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Hepatic and renal functions were measured at baseline, after eight days, then after 38 days.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in serum IL-6, serum aldosterone, Child-Pugh score, MELD-Na score, and increase in serum leptin, and mean arterial pressure (p<0.05) were noted after 38 days in HSS and combination groups. A significant improvement in diuresis, in all groups, urinary sodium excretion, and creatinine clearance (p<0.05) were increased after 38 days in all groups except the SDT group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that HSS, etilefrine, and their combination plus SDT are superior to SDT alone for ascites control and can exert some benefits on clinical, systemic, inflammatory, renal, and metabolic pathways without renal or hepatic dysfunction.