Hepatorenal syndrome is a form of kidney failure that develops in patients with advanced cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The kidneys themselves are structurally normal, but the severe hemodynamic changes caused by liver disease lead to intense renal vasoconstriction and a dramatic decrease in kidney blood flow. On renal Doppler ultrasound, the kidneys show an elevated resistive index reflecting this increased vascular resistance, while the kidneys may appear normal in size and echogenicity. The elevated renal resistive index in a patient with known cirrhosis can support the diagnosis and has prognostic significance, helping identify patients who may need liver transplantation.
Sonography Term