Chronic Liver Disease Flashcards
What are the risk factors for Chronic Liver Disease you should ask for in pRicmcp? (6)
ETOH
Hep B/C (vertical, IVDU, transfusion, tatoos, MSM, +++sexual partners)
FH (Haemochromatosis/Wilson’s)
Diabetes (NASH)
Autoimmune diseases (PBC/PSC - UC)
Drugs (methyldopa, INH, nitrofurantoin)
3 drugs that can cause chronic hepatitis?
Methyldopa
Isoniazid
Nitrofurantoin
Others: PTU, MTX, Amiodarone
Chronic liver disease / Cirrhosis - PRICMCP
P: when? symptoms (incidental, jaundice, pruritis, lethargy, abdominal pain/hepatitis, complications - ascites/SBP, GI bleeding, encephalopathy)
R: ETOH, Hep B/C (vertical, IVDU, transfusion, tatoos, MSM, +++sexual partners), FH (Haemochromatosis/Wilson’s), Diabetes (NASH), Autoimmune diseases (PBC/PSC - UC), Drugs (methyldopa, INH, nitrofurantoin)
I: biopsy, fibroscan (vibration/flicks with a probe on your R flank?)
C: top-down → encephalopathy (ask about reversal of sleep cycle for brownie points + for discussion!), varices/GI bleed, ascites/SBP, splenomegaly/pancytopaenia
Complication of therapies (e.g. anti-viral)
M: General & Specific
Non-pharmacological: vaccines (Hep A/B), ETOH abstinence, salt restriction, FR, nutritional supplements (e.g. Hepatamine - branched-chain AAs for encephalopathy)
Pharm: diuretics, lactulose/rifaxamin, BB, prophylactic Abx for SBP
Interventional: surveillance for varices and HCC (USS+AFP), TIPPS, surgery for HCC
Specific disease treatment: e.g. anti-virals
C: how is patient coping? current status/FU? compliance to therapies & surveillance
P: understand the impact of CLD? insight into prognosis?
CLD - examination? (5)
Signs of CLD: jaundice, anaemia, flap, spider naevi, gyneocomastia
Signs for the Cause: parotid swelling (ETOH), KF rings (Wilson’s), Xanthelasma (PBC)
Signs of portal HTN: ascites, splenomegaly, dilated veins
Sign of HCC: Hepatic mass
Signs of RVF (e.g. TR): ddx of hepatosplenomegaly & ascites
How would you investigate (TEST) this patient with CLD?
Can be used in any patients with CLD with known aetiology. Always exclude alternative/secondary causes that could be optimised.
T: confirm a) deranged function (LFTs - look for AST/ALT >2 - alcohol), b) diagnosis (depending on the primary disease) - liver biopsy, Fibroscan, hepatitis serology…etc, and c) ascitic tap to look for SAAG ≥1g/L (portal HTN), cytology and cell counts (SBP).
E: exclude secondary causes/contributory factors (i.e. liver panel)
Collateral Hx for alcohol, Bloods: HBA1C (NASH), AFP (HCC), Hepatitis serology/VL (B/C), EBV, CMV, HIV, iron studies (haemoC), ceruloplasmin, copper, alpha-1-antitrypsin, AI-Abs: anti-mitochondrial (PBC), SMA, anti-LKM1 , anti-liver cytosol (AIH). p-ANCA (if colonic symptoms - UC, maker of PSC). Imagings: USS / CT - assess texture of the liver (fat infiltration, nodularity, exclude obstruction), doppler (Budd-Chiary), MRCP (PSC/PBC), Biopsy
S: assess for severity of disease - INR, Albumin, bilirubin, PLT (portal HTN), Na (hyponatraemia)
S: screen for the complication of disease - FBC (Anaemia, BM suppression), haematinics, EUC (hepato-renal), AFT/USS (Hepatoma) and Gastroscopy (varices)
What are the causes of ascites depending on the SAAG? (8, 4 each)
SAAG ≥ 11
- Portal HTN
- CCF
- Alcoholic hepatitis
- Budd-Chiari syndrome (hepatic vein thrombosis) or IVC obstruction
SAAG <11
- Peritoneal carcinomatosis
- Peritoneal TB
- Pancreatitis
- Nephrotic syndrome
What investigations would you organise for ascitic tap? (6)
SAAG - ?portal HTN, helpful for aetiology
Cell count and MCS - SBP, Ab sensitivity
Cytology - malignancy
Appearance - turbid or white
Lactate - raised in SBP
Amylase - pancreatic ascites
What are the causes of Budd-Chiary syndrome? (5)
Malignancy - solid or myeloproliferative (e.g. PRV)
OCP/Pregnancy (women)
PNH
Drugs (e.g. Azathioprine, Adriamycin)
Infection: schistosomiasis, amoebiasis
Budd-chiary syndrome investigation? (young people with abdo pain, hepatomegaly and ascites)
LFT - look for raised ALP
Ascitic tap - SAAG >11
USS + Doppler (85% sensitive)
MRA + MRV (diagnostic)
Liver biopsy (nutmeg liver)
Child-Pugh classification? (5). Max score? What are the moderate ranges (what are the numbers to remember)?
Essentially, each criterion denotes complications.
- Bilirubin (jaundice)
- INR (coagulopathy)
- Albumin (malnutrition)
- Ascites
- Encephalopathy
Scores up to 3 each categories, Max = 15.
Numbers to remember are 1.7-2.3 (INR), 30-35 (Albumin), 35-50 (Bilirubin) ⇒ anything within these ranges is “moderate” or 2-points.
Anything better = “mild” or 1-point
Anything worse = “severe” or 3-points.
Child-Pugh score - what are the scores for Grade A, B and C?
A: 5-6
B: 7-9
C: 10-15
What are the prognosis of this patient’s CLD? depending on Child-Pugh classification? (1-year and 2-year survival)
Roughly.
A: 100% (80%)
B: 80% (60%)
C: 40% (less than 40%)
Management of Ascites? (Goal/NP/P…etc)
Goal: 0.3 - 0.5kg weight loss/d (max 0.5kg/d) - i.e. gentle diuresis
Non-pharm
- salt restriction (no added salt or salt-restricted diet based on dietician consultation)
- fluid restriction (1.2L/d then titre according to FB)
- nutrition (HPHE)
Pharm
- Spinorolactone & furosemide (50:20mg ratio) and uptitrate every few days - monitor EUCs
Invasive
- Paracentesis with albumin cover (max 10L drain) - regular program. Monitor INR/PLT (make sure INR <2.5 and PLT >50)
- TIPPS: only if synthetic function ok, not coagulopathic, cardiac function OK (increases venous return ⇒ CCF), Exclude PVT
Why do you think TIPPS was not considered in this cardiac patient?
As TIPPS can cause increase in pre-load and overload RV
Management of Encephalopathy?
Goal: prevent deterioration, prevent recurrence
Non-pharmacological
- nutrition and supplementation with branched-chain amino acids (hepatamine)
- Consider impact on driving
Pharmacological:
- Treat the cause: infection (most common), electrolyte disturbances (especially hypokalaemia), large protein meal, constipation.
- Lactulose (BD dosing, titrate to achieve _2-3 bowel motions/_d), add rifaxamin (must be used in combination).
- Avoid sedatives