Cirrhosis Flashcards
top two causes
chronic alcohol abuse
chronic hep C
5 complications
portal hypertension esophageal and gastric varices with risk of variceal bleeding ascites spontaneous bacterial peritonitis hepatic encephalopathy
what is portal hypertension
increased BP in the portal venous system
hepatic venous pressure gradient >5mmHG
how does portal hypertension develop
scarring of liver causes mechanical obstruction of blood flow from portal vein to liver
splanchnic arterial vasodilation and decreased response to vasoconstrictors increases blood flow to portal vein
what causes varices
portal hypertension with HVPG>10mmHg
small veins in lower esophagus and stomach become distended as blood is redirected
what is ascites
accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity
what causes ascites
increased nitric oxide causes vasodilation
decreased arterial blood volume activates RAAS = sodium retention therefore fluid pushes out on the wall
low serum albumin to push back on the wall and keep it in
fluid leaks into peritoneal cavity
definition of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
infection of ascitic fluid without an obvious surgically treatable source
how does spontaneous bacterial peritonitis occur
bacteria from GI tract end up in ascitic fluid
exact mechanism not know
common bacteria in SBP
ecoli
kpneumoniae
pneumococci
how does hepatic encephalopathy occur
decreased liver function and shunting of blood around the liver causes neurotoxins to accumulate, affects brain function
most commonly ammonia
diagnosing cirrhosis
signs and symptoms
lab values, endoscopy, radiographic tests
biopsy not necessary
symptoms of cirrhosis
weight loss fatigue anorexia jaundice impotence abdominal distention confusion pruitis GI bleed dark colored urine
physical signs of cirrhosis
hepatomegaly splenomegaly spider angiomata caput medusa digital clubbing gynecomastia jaundice asterix - hand flap ascites fector hepaticus - sweet smelling breath
lab indicating alcoholic liver disease
AST:ALT 2:1
labs that can be abnormal in cirrhosis
elevated aminotransferase elevated alkaline phosphatase with GGT rise decreased serum albumin elevated INR hyperbilitubinemia increased serum creatinine hyponatremia thrombocytopenia, leukopenia
abnormal radiographic tests
ultrasonography - detects hepatic nodules, ascites
CT, MRI - detect hepatic nodules, ascites, varices
child pugh classification used for
recommending drug dosage adjustments
model for end stage liver disease score used for
allocation of liver transplants
predicts 3 month mortality
grade A child pugh
<7points
grade B child pugh
7-9 points
grade C child pugh
> 9 points
treat patients with no varices or small varices with no risk factors ?
no
what are risk factors for variceal hemorrhage
red wales
child pugh score C