Clinical and Molecular Hepatology  2013;19(4):417-420

doi:10.3350/cmh.2013.19.4.417

Severe ischemic bowel necrosis caused by terlipressin during treatment of hepatorenal syndrome.

Hae Rim KIM 1 ; Young Sun LEE ; Hyung Joon YIM ; Hyun Joo LEE ; Ja Young RYU ; Hyun Jung LEE ; Eileen L. YOON ; Sun Jae LEE ; Jong Jin HYUN ; Sung Woo JUNG ; Ja Seol KOO ; Rok Sun CHOUNG ; Sang Woo LEE ; Jai Hyun CHOI

Affiliations

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Keywords

Terlipressin; Necrosis; Hepatorenal syndrome

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Terlipressin is a vasopressin analogue that is widely used in the treatment of hepatorenal syndrome or variceal bleeding. Because it acts mainly on splanchnic vessels, terlipressin has a lower incidence of severe ischemic complications than does vasopressin. However, it can still lead to serious complications such as myocardial infarction, skin necrosis, or bowel ischemia. Herein we report a case of severe ischemic bowel necrosis in a 46-year-old cirrhotic patient treated with terlipressin. Although the patient received bowel resection, death occurred due to ongoing hypotension and metabolic acidosis. Attention should be paid to patients complaining of abdominal pain during treatment with terlipressin.