Effects of low-dose tolvaptan on electrolyte abnormality and hemodynamic parameters in a liver cirrhosis-associated portopulmonary hypertension patient: A case report

The present study reported a case of portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) that was secondary to underlying liver cirrhosis in a 58-year-old woman, who was successfully treated with low-dose tolvaptan. The patient had suffered from refractory peripheral edema and electrolyte abnormalities, including severe hypokalemia, under the combination therapy of sildenafil, ambrisentan, furosemide and spironolactone. Subsequent to the initiation of low-dose tolvaptan at 3.75 mg/day with concurrent de-escalation of the dose of furosemide, the daily urine volume increased, peripheral edema improved and the serum potassium level increased immediately. In addition, plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone concentration and plasma brain natriuretic peptide level decreased within 1 week after the initiation of tolvaptan therapy. Hemodynamic assessments using a right heart catheter revealed that the pulmonary vascular resistance decreased by similar to 20%. Finally, chronic combination therapy with spironolactone and low-dose tolvaptan without loop diuretics achieved adequate fluid management. In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggest that low-dose tolvaptan may be a promising therapeutic option for liver cirrhosis-associated POPH in patients with an electrolyte abnormality due to liver cirrhosis and conventional diuretics.