A PROSPECTIVE CLINICAL ANALYSIS OF PULMONARY PROFILE IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS OF LIVER WITH REFERENCE TO ARTERIAL OXYGEN SATURATION AND PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTS
BACKGROUND: Cirrhosis of liver and its complications including pulmonary dysfunction are a major cause of death among adults and have several clinical implications with regard to their early detection and management.OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:Evaluation of patients for pulmonary manifestations in cirrhotic patients with special reference to arterial hypoxemia and lung function.METHODOLOGY:A prospective analysis of cirrhotic patients fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria.RESULTS:The prevalence of arterial hypoxemia in cirrhotic patients was present in 10 %,out of which 66.6% patients were detected to have Hepatopulmonary Syndrome (HPS).The severity of hypoxemia was positively correlated with severity of liver disease assessed by Child Pugh Score.CONCLUSION:Liver cirrhosis is associated with pulmonary complications.The early identification is crucial as it affects the prognosis and guides the further management.