Cirrhosis Flashcards
What is Cirrhosis? (4 things)
- Irreversible damage
- Loss of normal hepatic architecture
- Fibrosis
- Nodules
What are the most common causes of Cirrhosis? (4 things)
- ALD
- NAFLD
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
What are the CF of Cirrhosis? (14 things)
- Alopecia
- Fatigue
- Lethargy + Confusion + Coma (bc hepatic encephalopathy)
- Jaundice
- Upper GI bleeding (bc portal HTN –> oesophageal varices)
- Asterixis (hand flap) (bc hepatic encephalopathy)
- Palmar erythema (red palms)
- Clubbed nails
- Leuconychia (white nails) (bc hypoalbuminaemia)
- Dupuytren’s Contracture (flexion deformity of fingers bc thickening + shortening of palmar fascia)
- Pruritis (bc salt deposition in skin)
- Caput medusae (periumbilical vein dilation)
- Ascites (bc portal HTN + low albumin)
- Weight loss
- Hyperoestrogenism (gynecomastia / erectile dysf / infertility)
(Head to toe)
What tests should be done for sus Cirrhosis? (5 things)
- Bloods
- Liver US / FibroScan
- CT / MRI
- Liver biopsy
- Endoscopy
What bloods should be done for sus Cirrhosis? (3 things)
- LFTs
- FBC
- Autoantibodies
What will be seen in the LFTs of Cirrhosis? (2 things)
- Everything raised
2. Reduced albumin
What will be seen in a FBC of Cirrhosis? (2 things)
- Low WBCC
2. Low platelets (earliest finding)
What do the low WBCC and platelets in Cirrhosis indicate?
Hypersplenism
What does checking for Autoantibodies in bloods of Cirrhosis tell you?
The cause of Cirrhosis
What may a Liver US show in Cirrhosis? (7 things)
- Hepatomegaly / small liver (late disease)
- Splenomegaly
- Nodules on liver surface
- Hepatic vein thrombus
- Enlarged portal vein w REDUCED flow
- “Corkscrew” appearance of arteries w INCREASED flow
- Ascites
Why do the arteries in liver have INCREASED flow in Cirrhosis?
To compensate for reduced portal flow
What is a FibroScan US used for in Cirrhosis?
Checks elasticity of liver, so assesses degree of Cirrhosis
What are you looking for in CT / MRI for Cirrhosis? (6 things)
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Hepatosplenomgaly
- Abn blood vessel changes / varices
- Ascites
- Increased caudate lobe size
- Nodules
What is a Liver biopsy used for in sus Cirrhosis?
Confirms clinical diagnosis
When should an Endoscopy be done in Cirrhosis?
When sus Portal HTN
What is an Endoscopy used for in Cirrhosis?
Assess + Treat oesophageal varices (caused by portal HTN)
What is the General management for Cirrhosis? (5 things)
- MANAGE COMPLICATIONS
- US + alpha-fetoprotein every 6 months for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Endoscopy every 3 yrs (in pt w/o varices)
- MELD score every 6 months
- High protein, Low sodium diet
What is the score used in Cirrhosis to see if a patient needs a liver transplant?
MELD Score
What does the MELD Score take into account? (5 things)
- Bilirubin
- Dialysis - Do they need dialysis?
- INR
- Creatinine
- Sodium
B DICS
What medications should be avoided in Cirrhosis? (3 things)
- NSAIDs
- Sedatives
- Opiates