Cirrhosis

Question 1

What is Cirrhosis?

Answer 1

• end stage liver disease
• Diffuse fibrosis (causing a decrease in the tissue function of the liver)
• degenerative nodular liver

Question 2

Cirrhosis can cause _____ and has a high ____ rate

Answer 2

cirrhosis can cause death and has a high mortality rate

Question 3

what is a large part of the pathology of cirrhosis?

Answer 3

the formation & deposition of fibers in the liver

Question 4

what are the primary problems with liver cirrhosis?

Answer 4

• decrease in liver function

- portal hypertension (which has systemic consequences)

Question 5

Etiology of Cirrhosis?

Answer 5

• alcohol abuse (60-70%)
• viral hepatitis (aprox 10%)
• biliary disease
• metb disorders (eg. Hemochromatosis= overload of iron, iron is generally recycled in the body, large quantities of iron than deposits in liver may lead to cirrhosis)
• Cryptogenic (same as idiopathic. cryptic means obscure cause)

Question 6

what is 60-70% of cirrhosis caused by?

Answer 6

alcohol abuse

Question 7

Complications of Cirrhosis

Answer 7

• Portal hypertension, ascites
• varices (dilation of adjoining artery), GI bleeds
• spleenomegaly (enlarged spleen) has vein attached - fluid shifts into spleens interstital tissue)

Question 8

Treatment of cirrhosis

Answer 8

-maximize regeneration
-Diet, NO ALCOHOL
-Treat complications
-

Question 9

Manifestations of Cirrhosis

Answer 9

• they vary
• common ones: anorexia, weakness, Wt loss
• Hepatomegaly (enlarged liver)
• Jaundice (liver not being able to process bilirubin) (some forms of cirrhosis cause jaundice and some dont , Right sided heart failure, cardiogenic cirrhosis doesn’t)
• 3rd spacing pushing fluid into liver
• inflammation

Question 10

Patho of cirrhosis

Answer 10

• l/o parenchyma – hepatocytes regenerate within fibrous scar tissue
• Impeeded perfusion d/t vessel constriction (vessel constriction from fibrous around vessel) – causing Portal hypertension– causing fluid shifts– causing ascites(form of 3rd spacing)
• bile flow impeded d/t duct constriction causing bile stasis
• decrease in metabolic waste clearance(build up in metabolic waste, products toxic, D/t liver function being impaired)