Octreotide in liver cirrhosis: a salvage for variceal bleeding can be a gunshot for kidneys.

Background: The renal effects of octreotide, used for bleeding esophageal varices in cirrhosis, are controversial.

Methods: Fourteen cirrhotic patients (Child-Pugh; A/B/C: 1/12/1) were enrolled. Plasma nitrite and endothelin (ET) levels, urinary nitrite output, free water clearance (FWC) and fractional excretion of filtered sodium (FENa) were measured and renal Doppler ultrasound was carried out.