ascitites + cirrhosis Flashcards
what is ascites
a localised, pathological collection of fluid within the peritoneal cavity
what are the 3 grades of ascites
- detectable by imaging only
- clinically detectable
- tense and obvious (can’t indent abdomen)
causes for abdominal distension (5 Fs)
fluid, fat, faeces, foetus, fat
what is ascites
localised, pathological fluid collection within the peritoneal cavity
3 grades of ascites
- detectable by imaging only
- clinically detectable
- tense and obvious (can’t indent abdomen)
what are some causes of stomach distension (5 Fs)
fluid; fat; faeces; foetus; fat
what is chylothorax
a rare but serious condition in which lymph formed in the digestive system (chyle) accumulates in your chest cavity
what is cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is permanent architectual change (scarring) of the liver caused by long-term liver damage
fibrosis vs cirrhosis
fibrosis can progress and regress due to the activity of stellate cells -> cirrhosis is a permanent change
what equation is used to determine fluid flux into interstitual space between arterioles and venules
starling equation
what system drives ascites
RAAS
how to work out if ascites is transudative or exudative
serum ascites abumen gradient - SAAG
- take blood sample
- take ascites sample
- measure the albumin levels of both
- calculate the SAAG (SAAG = (serum albumin) − (albumin level of ascitic fluid))
- if >1.1g/DL then transudate
what value must the SAAG be over for ascites to be transudative
> 1.1g/Dl
how does hepatic encephalopathy arise
- astrocyte swelling (build up of toxins not being removed by the liver e.g. ammonia, glutamine, manganese, drugs - benzodiazepines
- astrocyte dysfunction (mt. dysfunction, ROS, BBB leakage)
- neuronal dysfunction (altered gene expression, decreased Ach etc.)
- symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy
what is liverflap (asterixis) associated with
hepatic enceophalopathy -> occurs due to build up of toxins in the brain as liver can’t filter them
what is the new haven grading system (hepatic encephalopathy)
- Changes in behavior with minimal change in level of consciousness;
- Gross disorientation, drowsiness, possibly asterixis, inappropriate behavior;
- Marked confusion, incoherent speech, sleeping most of the time but arousable to vocal stimuli;
- Comatose, unresponsive to pain; decorticate or decerebrate posturing
causes of ascites
- liver disease - cirrhosis -> transudate
- heart failure (esp R side) -> transudate
- cancer -> exudate
4.
causes of cirrhosis
- alcohol
- hep C
- NAFLD
- primary cholangitis
- wilson’s disease (Cu metabolic disorder)
- haemochromatosis (Fe metabolic disorder)
what cardiac condition can cause hepatomegaly
cor pulmonale (R sided heart englargement due to lung/pulmonary pathology)
when is SAAG very high
in causes where there is a rise in sinusoidal/postsinusoidal pressure
if SAAG level is 1.1-2.5g/dL what is the likely cause (3)
portal hypertension causes
1. cirrhosis
2. late budd-chiari syndrome
3. massive liver metastases