Functional renal failure (FRF) incirrhosis oftheliver andliver carcinoma

Summary Theterm'functional renal failure' hasbeenusedto describe therenalfailure developing inadvanced cirrhosis inwhich tubular function andstructure remainintact. Itmaydevelop spontaneously, inwhich caseprognosis ispoor, butmaybesecondary to gastrointestinal haemorrhage orexcessive useof diuretics, inwhich casecorrection oftheprecipitating factor leads toimprovement inrenal function. Itis suggested that therenal failure isduetoareduction in effective circulating plasma volume. SINCEtheinitial paperbyHeckerandSherlock (1956), whoreported theoccurrence inpatients with severe advanced liver cirrhosis ofwaterandelectrolyte disorders-azotaemia,