Diagnosis of cirrhosis was

established by histology or by clinical, analytical, and ultrasonographic findings. Inclusion criteria were age between 18 and 80 years and hospitalization due to clinical decompensation of cirrhosis. Exclusion criteria were: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, previous transplantation or any other type of immunodeficiency, steroid treatment, pituitary or adrenal disease, advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (Barcelona-Clinic Liver Cancer [BCLC] stage B, C, or D), severe chronic heart (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class III or IV) or pulmonary disease (global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease [GOLD] III or IV), chronic hemodialysis, time between hospital admission and baseline evaluation >24 hours, severe sepsis, hypovolemic or septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and refusal selleck chemicals of patient to participate. Patients or their relatives, in cases of hepatic encephalopathy, gave written informed LY2606368 research buy consent to participate in the study. It was approved by the Clinical Investigation and Ethics Committee of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. On resolution of hepatic encephalopathy, informed consent was requested from the patients for continuation in the study. Inclusion and the baseline clinical evaluation was performed within 24 hours of hospitalization and

included history and physical examination, liver and renal tests, ascitic fluid analysis and culture, fresh urine sediment, chest x-ray,

and abdominal ultrasonography. Heart and respiratory rates and body temperature were recorded to estimate systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Mean arterial pressure, calculated as the median of three values, was measured noninvasively with the patient in supine position with a 5-minute interval (DINAMAP Vital Signs Monitor, Critikon, Tampa, FL). Severity of liver failure was estimated by the Child-Pugh and the model for endstage liver disease (MELD) scores. Fasting blood samples were also obtained within this first 24 hours after hospital admission for assessment L-NAME HCl of vasoactive mediators, proinflammatory cytokines, and lipid profile. Samples were obtained in all patients through an intravenous catheter inserted at least 6 hours before sampling. A short Synacthen test (SST) was performed between 8:00 and 9:00 am within the first 24 hours of admission. Synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (250 μg, Synacthen, Novartis Pharma, Basel, Switzerland) was given intravenously. Blood samples to measure serum total cortisol levels (competitive immunoassay using direct chemiluminescent technology; Advia-Centaur, Bayer, Pittsburgh, PA) were obtained prior and 60 minutes following Synacthen administration. The coefficient of variation for this test is 7%.