Cirrhosis Flashcards
what is cirrhosis
the loss of normal liver structure into abnormal nodules of fibrosis. final stage of many liver diseases
how much of liver parenchyma is destroyed by fibrosis before signs of liver failure show
80-90%
effect of cirrhosis of hepatic vasculature
increased intrahepatic resistance and portal hypertension
complication of portal hypertension
oesophageal varices
sign of oesophageal varices
haematemesis
problems with clotting in cirrhosis
damaged hepatocytes –> failure to synthesise clotting factors and bile to absorb vitamin K –> impaired clotting
4 big common causes of cirrhosis
alcohol abuse
hepatitis B
hepatitis C
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH)
5 less common causes of cirrhosis
haemochromatosis primary biliary cholangitis autoimmune hepatitis sarcoidosis schistosomiasis
how do you get schistosomiasis
by swimming in the nile
what is haemochromatosis
overload of iron –> increasing oxygen free radicals –> causes damage in liver
what is primary biliary cholangitis
an autoimmune disease mostly of females inflamming the bile ducts
how does primary bilairy cholangitis lead to liver cirrhosis
granuloma inflammation of bile ducts –> loss of intra-hepatic bile duct –> bile builds up in liver –> hepatocyte damage –> cirrhosis
common presentation of cirrhosis
jaundice ascites haematemesis general symptoms spider naevi gynaecomastia hepatomegaly easy brusing clubbing
what is asterixis a sign of
hepatic encephalopathy
what is hepatic encephalopathy
neuropsychiatric abnormalities in liver failure, confusion, change in behavioue
