Hepatic Disorders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Goldsmith
Keyword(s):  
Portal Hypertension ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Hepatic Abscess ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Complex Disorders ◽  
Bacterial Peritonitis

Hepatic disorders are characterized by a variety of etiologies that can present to the emergency department (ED) as acute, chronic, or acute on chronic liver disease. Unfortunately, a large number of these complex disorders can progress to cirrhosis, a progressive and severe clinical condition associated with high morbidity and mortality. Primary prevention, measures include vaccine prophylaxis and abstaining from alcohol. Unfortunately, liver disease can lead to a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations that are in need of urgent and/or emergent therapy mainly attributable to hepatic insufficiency and portal hypertension. Major complications of portal hypertension include ascites, gastrointestinal variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, renal failure, and bacterial infections. This review covers the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and disposition of patients who present to the ED with liver disease. This review contains 3 figures, 4 tables, and 59 references. Key words: abdominal pain, ascites, cirrhosis, encephalopathy, hepatic abscess, hepatic liver transplant, hepatitis, hepatorenal syndrome, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Cirrhosis and Complications of Portal Hypertension

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Cardenas ◽  
Isabel Graupera ◽  
Elsa Sola ◽  
Pere Ginès
Keyword(s):  
Liver Transplantation ◽  
Portal Hypertension ◽  
Variceal Bleeding ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Hepatorenal Syndrome ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Decompensated Cirrhosis ◽  
Ultrasound Images

Cirrhosis is the most advanced stage of all the different types of chronic liver diseases. It is defined as a diffuse disorganization of normal hepatic structure by extensive fibrosis associated with regenerative nodules. Hepatic fibrosis is potentially reversible if the causative agent is removed. However, advanced cirrhosis leads to major alterations in the hepatic vascular bed and is usually irreversible. Cirrhosis is a progressive and severe clinical condition associated with considerable morbidity and high mortality. It leads to a wide spectrum of characteristic clinical manifestations, mainly attributable to hepatic insufficiency and portal hypertension. Major complications of portal hypertension include ascites, gastrointestinal (GI) variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), renal failure, and bacterial infections. In recent years, major advances in the understanding of the natural history and pathophysiology of cirrhosis and the treatment of its complications have led to improved management, quality of life, and life expectancy of patients with this disease. Cirrhosis is also a risk factor for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Decompensated cirrhosis carries a poor short-term prognosis; thus, orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) should always be considered in suitable candidates. This chapter describes the epidemiology, etiology and genetic factors, pathogenesis, diagnosis, general management, and treatment of cirrhosis. Complications of cirrhosis are discussed, including ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, dilutional hyponatremia, hepatorenal syndrome, variceal bleeding, hepatopulmonary syndrome and postpulmonary hypertension, HE, and HCC. Indications and contraindications for liver transplantation are described. Figures show liver biopsy results and ultrasound images in cirrhosis from hepatitis C, a patient with tense ascites, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS), large esophageal varices with red spots, and HCC. Tables outline the main causes of cirrhosis and the diagnostic methods for identifying them, the Child-Pugh score, diagnostic criteria for hepatorenal syndrome, grades of HE, and indications for liver transplantation.This chapter contains 6 highly rendered figures, 8 tables, 73 references.

Cirrhosis and Complications of Portal Hypertension

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Cardenas ◽  
Isabel Graupera ◽  
Elsa Sola ◽  
Pere Ginès
Keyword(s):  
Liver Transplantation ◽  
Portal Hypertension ◽  
Variceal Bleeding ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Hepatorenal Syndrome ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Decompensated Cirrhosis ◽  
Ultrasound Images

Cirrhosis is the most advanced stage of all the different types of chronic liver diseases. It is defined as a diffuse disorganization of normal hepatic structure by extensive fibrosis associated with regenerative nodules. Hepatic fibrosis is potentially reversible if the causative agent is removed. However, advanced cirrhosis leads to major alterations in the hepatic vascular bed and is usually irreversible. Cirrhosis is a progressive and severe clinical condition associated with considerable morbidity and high mortality. It leads to a wide spectrum of characteristic clinical manifestations, mainly attributable to hepatic insufficiency and portal hypertension. Major complications of portal hypertension include ascites, gastrointestinal (GI) variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), renal failure, and bacterial infections. In recent years, major advances in the understanding of the natural history and pathophysiology of cirrhosis and the treatment of its complications have led to improved management, quality of life, and life expectancy of patients with this disease. Cirrhosis is also a risk factor for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Decompensated cirrhosis carries a poor short-term prognosis; thus, orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) should always be considered in suitable candidates. This chapter describes the epidemiology, etiology and genetic factors, pathogenesis, diagnosis, general management, and treatment of cirrhosis. Complications of cirrhosis are discussed, including ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, dilutional hyponatremia, hepatorenal syndrome, variceal bleeding, hepatopulmonary syndrome and postpulmonary hypertension, HE, and HCC. Indications and contraindications for liver transplantation are described. Figures show liver biopsy results and ultrasound images in cirrhosis from hepatitis C, a patient with tense ascites, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS), large esophageal varices with red spots, and HCC. Tables outline the main causes of cirrhosis and the diagnostic methods for identifying them, the Child-Pugh score, diagnostic criteria for hepatorenal syndrome, grades of HE, and indications for liver transplantation.This chapter contains 6 highly rendered figures, 8 tables, 73 references.

Cirrhosis and Complications of Portal Hypertension

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Cardenas ◽  
Isabel Graupera ◽  
Elsa Sola ◽  
Pere Ginès
Keyword(s):  
Liver Transplantation ◽  
Portal Hypertension ◽  
Variceal Bleeding ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Hepatorenal Syndrome ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Decompensated Cirrhosis ◽  
Ultrasound Images

Cirrhosis is the most advanced stage of all the different types of chronic liver diseases. It is defined as a diffuse disorganization of normal hepatic structure by extensive fibrosis associated with regenerative nodules. Hepatic fibrosis is potentially reversible if the causative agent is removed. However, advanced cirrhosis leads to major alterations in the hepatic vascular bed and is usually irreversible. Cirrhosis is a progressive and severe clinical condition associated with considerable morbidity and high mortality. It leads to a wide spectrum of characteristic clinical manifestations, mainly attributable to hepatic insufficiency and portal hypertension. Major complications of portal hypertension include ascites, gastrointestinal (GI) variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), renal failure, and bacterial infections. In recent years, major advances in the understanding of the natural history and pathophysiology of cirrhosis and the treatment of its complications have led to improved management, quality of life, and life expectancy of patients with this disease. Cirrhosis is also a risk factor for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Decompensated cirrhosis carries a poor short-term prognosis; thus, orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) should always be considered in suitable candidates. This chapter describes the epidemiology, etiology and genetic factors, pathogenesis, diagnosis, general management, and treatment of cirrhosis. Complications of cirrhosis are discussed, including ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, dilutional hyponatremia, hepatorenal syndrome, variceal bleeding, hepatopulmonary syndrome and postpulmonary hypertension, HE, and HCC. Indications and contraindications for liver transplantation are described. Figures show liver biopsy results and ultrasound images in cirrhosis from hepatitis C, a patient with tense ascites, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting (TIPS), large esophageal varices with red spots, and HCC. Tables outline the main causes of cirrhosis and the diagnostic methods for identifying them, the Child-Pugh score, diagnostic criteria for hepatorenal syndrome, grades of HE, and indications for liver transplantation.This chapter contains 6 highly rendered figures, 8 tables, 73 references.

Targeting the gut-liver-immune axis to treat cirrhosis

Gut ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. gutjnl-2020-320786 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Henry Tranah ◽  
Lindsey A Edwards ◽  
Bernd Schnabl ◽  
Debbie Lindsay Shawcross
Keyword(s):  
Liver Disease ◽  
Chronic Liver Disease ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Hepatorenal Syndrome ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Chronic Liver ◽  
Decompensated Cirrhosis ◽  
Barrier Dysfunction ◽  
Bacterial Peritonitis ◽  
Gut Barrier Function

Cirrhotic portal hypertension is characterised by development of the decompensating events of ascites, encephalopathy, portal hypertensive bleeding and hepatorenal syndrome, which arise in a setting of cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction (CAID) and define morbidity and prognosis. CAID describes the dichotomous observations that systemic immune cells are primed and display an inflammatory phenotype, while failing to mount robust responses to pathogen challenge. Bacterial infections including spontaneous bacterial peritonitis are common complications of advanced chronic liver disease and can precipitate variceal haemorrhage, hepatorenal syndrome and acute-on-chronic liver failure; they frequently arise from gut-derived organisms and are closely linked with dysbiosis of the commensal intestinal microbiota in advanced chronic liver disease.Here, we review the links between cirrhotic dysbiosis, intestinal barrier dysfunction and deficits of host-microbiome compartmentalisation and mucosal immune homoeostasis that occur in settings of advanced chronic liver disease. We discuss established and emerging therapeutic strategies targeted at restoring intestinal eubiosis, augmenting gut barrier function and ameliorating the mucosal and systemic immune deficits that characterise and define the course of decompensated cirrhosis.

The patient with hepatorenal syndrome

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Cárdenas ◽  
Pere Ginès
Keyword(s):  
Renal Failure ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Hepatorenal Syndrome ◽  
Compensatory Response ◽  
Renal Vasoconstriction ◽  
Bacterial Peritonitis ◽  
Portosystemic Shunts ◽  
Line Of Therapy ◽  
End Stage

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a dreaded and common complication of patients with end-stage liver disease. The syndrome is characterized by functional renal failure due to renal vasoconstriction in the absence of underlying kidney pathology. The pathogenesis of HRS is the result of an extreme underfilling of the arterial circulation secondary to an arterial vasodilation located in the splanchnic circulation. This phenomenon triggers a compensatory response with activation of vasoconstrictor systems leading to intense renal vasoconstriction.Besides HRS, there are several other causes of renal failure in patients with cirrhosis including those secondary to bacterial infections, hypovolaemia, nephrotoxicity, and intrinsic renal disease. Thus, the diagnosis of HRS is based on established diagnostic criteria aimed at excluding non-functional causes of renal failure.The prognosis of patients with HRS is poor, especially in those who have a rapidly progressive course. Liver transplantation is the best option in suitable candidates, but it is not always applicable due to the short survival expectancy of listed candidates.Pharmacological therapies based on the use of vasoconstrictor drugs to reverse splanchnic vasodilation are the standard first line of therapy. The vasopressin analogue terlipressin is the best proven. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts may be helpful in limited circumstances. Prevention of HRS can be attained with the use of albumin infusion in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, with norfloxacin in patients very advanced liver disease and with N-acetylcysteine in those with severe acute alcoholic hepatitis.

scholarly journals A review of aortic thrombosis in COVID-19 infection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Korin Karabulut ◽  
Ahmet Kapici ◽  
Ana Andronikashvili ◽  
James Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Thrombotic Event ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Limb Ischemia ◽  
Aortic Disease ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Acute Limb Ischemia ◽  
Aortic Thrombosis ◽  
Catheter Directed Thrombolysis ◽  
Aortic Thrombus

Aim: As the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacts the global healthcare system, evolving data show increased frequency of arterial and venous thromboembolism among patients with COVID-19 infection. Aortic thrombus is a rare thrombotic event with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and potential catastrophic complications. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment dilemmas of aortic thrombus with COVID-19 infection and raise awareness among frontline medical providers. Aortic thrombosis is rare, but if not considered early in the course of COVID-19 infection, the data suggest that the diagnosis will probably not be made until potentially serious complications arise. Methods: Literature review was conducted between November 1, 2019, and November 14, 2020, on PubMed and Embase to identify publications regarding aortic thrombosis among COVID-19 cases. Results: Most of the patients were male with a median age of 67 years, and had comorbidities (most commonly hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus). In our study, underlying atherosclerosis, a common risk factor for aortic thrombus, was identified among 56% of the patients. Aortic thrombus was symptomatic in 62% of these patients and most commonly manifested itself as acute limb ischemia (46%), whereas 30% of cases were found incidentally during the investigation of elevated inflammatory markers or increased oxygen requirement. Treatment was individualized given the lack of established guidelines for aortic thrombus, including anticoagulation, systemic and catheter directed thrombolysis, and surgical thrombectomy. Overall mortality was found to be 30% in our study. Conclusions: Although rare, aortic thrombus has high morbidity and mortality, and can present without any symptoms or underlying aortic disease. Aortic thrombosis is rare, but if not considered early in the course of COVID-19 infection, the data suggest that the diagnosis will probably not be made until potentially serious complications arise.

Hepatic Encephalopathy

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison R Schulman ◽  
Nikroo Hashemi
Keyword(s):  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Hepatic Encephalopathy ◽  
Chronic Liver Disease ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy ◽  
The Body ◽  
Chronic Liver ◽  
Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is one of the most debilitating manifestations of acute or chronic liver disease and/or portosystemic shunting. The clinical manifestations of HE span a wide spectrum of neurologic or psychiatric abnormalities, ranging from subclinical neuropsychological disturbances to coma. HE severely affects the lives of patients and their caregivers and results in the use of more health care resources in adults than other manifestations of hepatic dysfunction. To date, there are insufficient clinical studies and standardized definitions, making the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of HE challenging. This review covers the epidemiology, pathophysiology and pathogenesis, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of HE. Figures show the numerous processes and mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of HE and ammonia trafficking and metabolism within the body. Tables list the four factors that dictate categorization and grading of HE, differential diagnosis of HE, summary of testing used for minimal HE and covert HE with associated advantages and/or disadvantages, and precipitating causes of HE in patients with cirrhosis. This review contains 2 highly rendered figures, 4 tables, and 77 references. Key words: chronic liver disease; covert hepatic encephalopathy; hepatic encephalopathy; minimal hepatic encephalopathy; overt hepatic encephalopathy; transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt 

scholarly journals Extrahepatic Portal Vein Thrombosis, an Important Cause of Portal Hypertension in Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2703
Author(s):  
Alina Grama ◽  
Alexandru Pîrvan ◽  
Claudia Sîrbe ◽  
Lucia Burac ◽  
Horia Ştefănescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Portal Hypertension ◽  
Gastrointestinal Bleeding ◽  
Portal Vein ◽  
Portal Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Vein Catheterization

One of the most important causes of portal hypertension among children is extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis (EHPVT). The most common risk factors for EHPVT are neonatal umbilical vein catheterization, transfusions, bacterial infections, dehydration, and thrombophilia. Our study aimed to describe the clinical manifestations, treatment, evolution, and risk factors of children with EHPVT. Methods: We analyzed retrospectively all children admitted and followed in our hospital with EHPVT between January 2011–December 2020. The diagnosis was made by ultrasound or contrast magnetic resonance imaging. We evaluated the onset symptoms, complications, therapeutic methods, and risk factors. Results: A total of 63 children, mean age 5.14 ± 4.90 (33 boys, 52.38%), were evaluated for EHPVT during the study period. The first symptoms were upper gastrointestinal bleeding (31 children, 49.21%) and splenomegaly (22 children, 34.92%). Thrombocytopenia was present in 44 children (69.84%). The most frequent risk factors were umbilical vein catheterization (46 children, 73.02%) and bacterial infections during the neonatal period (30 children, 47.62%). Protein C, protein S, antithrombin III levels were decreased in 44 of the 48 patients tested. In 42 of these cases, mutations for thrombophilia were tested, and 37 were positive. Upper digestive endoscopy was performed in all cases, revealing esophageal varices in 56 children (88.89%). All children with gastrointestinal bleeding received an octreotide infusion. In 26 children (41.27%), variceal ligation was performed, and in 5 children (7.94%), sclerotherapy. Porto-systemic shunt was performed in 11 children (17.46%), and Meso-Rex shunt was done in 4 children (6.35%). The evolution was favorable in 62 cases (98.41%). Only one child died secondary to severe sepsis. Conclusions: EHPVT is frequently diagnosed in the last period in our region due to the increased use of umbilical vein catheterization. Furthermore, genetic predisposition, neonatal bacterial infections, and prematurity certainly play an important role in this condition. A proactive ultrasound assessment of children with risk factors for EHPVT should be encouraged for early diagnosis and treatment.

Ascites

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehoud Shmueli
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Portal Hypertension ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Liver Function ◽  
Serum Albumin ◽  
Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis ◽  
Portal Pressure ◽  
Diagnostic Problem ◽  
Bacterial Peritonitis

Ascites is the accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity. Most patients with ascites usually have a known diagnosis of cirrhosis, malignancy, or heart failure. For patients newly presenting with ascites, the diagnostic problem is usually to differentiate between cirrhosis and malignancy. For patients with established liver disease, ascites represents a deterioration of their liver function, the development of a hepatocellular carcinoma, or another complication. Worsening of preexisting ascites may be due to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. In malignancy, ascites denotes the development of peritoneal deposits or massive liver metastases. The diagnosis may be obvious from the context, but can be confirmed with imaging and a diagnostic paracentesis. The serum–ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) ([ascitic fluid albumin] − [serum albumin]) reflects portal pressure, and is the key diagnostic test. A SAAG >11 g/l indicates portal hypertension, and therefore probable cirrhosis. A SAAG <11 g/l excludes portal hypertension, and therefore the ascites is not caused by cirrhosis.

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