Complications of Alcohol Induced Liver Disease Flashcards
What is the 2nd most common cause of Cirrhosis in the US?
Alcohol Liver Disease
Does the liver have the ability to regenerate? Can it do so with repeated hepatocyte damage?
Yes, and repeated hepatocyte damage results in a buildup of connective tissue inhibiting regeneration
What is the normal Metabolic Function of the Liver?
- Gluconeogenesis
- Oxidation of Fatty Acids
- Formation of Urea
- CYP Enzymes
What is the normal Synthetic Function of the Liver?
Synthesis of plasma proteins, albumin, and clotting factors
What is the normal Bile Production of the Liver?
Produces bile to be stored in the gallbladder and excreted to help with digestion
What liver function tests are performed to monitor Cellular Function of the liver?
AST and ALT
What liver function tests are performed to monitor Synthetic/Metabolic Function of the liver?
- PT
- INR
- Albumin
- Ammonia
- Cholesterol
- Glucose
- Platelets
What liver function tests are performed to monitor Obstruction of the liver?
- Bilirubin
- Alk Phos
- GGT
What is responsible for 2/3 of cirrhosis?
Alcohol
Are women or men more susceptible to alcoholic liver injury?
Women
What are the steps of Alcoholic Liver Disease Progression?
- Steatosis
- Alcoholic Hepatitis
- Cirrhosis
Steatosis, Hepatitis, and Cirrhosis mean what in ALD?
Steatosis = Really fatty liver
Hepatitis = Inflammation
Cirrhosis = End stage liver disease
Hepatic Steatosis can be seen how?
- Increased intracellular accumulation of TG
- Reversible
- No cell death, normal LFTs
Hepatitis can be seen how?
- Death of hepatocytes, inflammatory infiltrations, cell necrosis
- Somewhat Reversible
- Collagen production = scar tissue
Cirrhosis can be seen how?
- Hepatocytes are replaced by fibroblasts
- Irreversible
- Shrinkage of the Liver
- Portal HTN
What are the S/S of Cirrhosis?
- Ascites
- Jaundice/Icterus
- Clay Colored Stools
- Cola Colored Urine
- Palmar Erythema
- Altered Mental Status
- Asterixis
- Abdominal Pain
- Spider Angiomas
What is a laboratory test that reveals cellular dysfunction of the liver?
INCREASED AST/ALT
What is a laboratory test that reveals synthetic/metabolic dysfunction of the liver?
- INCREASED PT/INR
- DECREASED Albumin
- INCREASED Ammonia
- DECREASED Platelets
What is a laboratory test that reveals obstruction of the liver?
- INCREASED Bilirubin
- INCREASED All Phos
- INCREASED GGT
ALT>AST reveals what?
Hepatocellular Injury, more specific to the liver
AST>ALT reveals what?
Acute Alcoholic Hepatitis
Why do you seen normal/decreased AST/ALT in Cirrhosis?
Too many cells have died off and therefore, they are no more cells that can produce AST and ALT
Why is there decreased albumin in hepatic failure?
Decrease synthesis and malnutrition, resulting in serum oncotic pressure and fluid retention
Why is there increased ammonia NH3 in hepatic failure?
Product of amino acid metabolism that is cleared by the liver
Why is there increased prothrombin time PT and international normalized ratio INR in hepatic failure?
Due to decreased synthesis of clotting factors by the liver
Why is there decreased platelets in hepatic failure?
Due to splenomegaly from portal HTn and decreased hepatic production of thrombopoietin
Why is there increased alkaline phosphatase Alk Phos and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase GGT?
Increase Alk Phos + Normal GGT = non hepatic source
Increase GGT is marker for alcohol abuse
Why is there an increase in total bilirubin in hepatic failure?
Result of liver damage or obstruction
What are the lab findings for Cholestatic Jaundice?
- Moderate AST/ALT elevation <500
- Increased bilirubin
- Alk Phos >4x normal average
What are the lab findings for Alcoholic Hepatitis?
- AST at least 2x ALT
- Increased bilirubin
- Alk Phos normal to <3x average
- Decreased albumin
- Increased PT/INR
- Increased GGT
- Thrombocytopenia
What are the lab findings for Acute Liver Toxicity?
- AST/ALT in the 1000s
In the Model for End Stage Liver MELD Score what score indicates a poor prognosis?
> 18
MELD Score is used for what patients?
Short term view of survival 3-months, helps prioritize patients for transplant
In the Maddrey Discriminant Function MDF Score what score indicated a poor prognosis?
> 32
MDF Score is used for what patients?
Alcoholic Hepatitis, short term prognosis
For those with MDF Score >32 what is the treatment recommended in Alcoholic Hepatitis Treatment?
Prednisolone
What is the MOA of Prednisolone?
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Anti-Fibrotic
- Reduces Cytokine Production
What are the CIs of Prednisolone?
- Active GI Bleed
- Infection
- AKI
What is the survival benefit timeline of Prednisolone?
Max 28 days
What are Contraindications to treatment for Alcoholic Hepatitis?
- Uncontrolled infections
- Acute kidney injury with serum creatinine >2.5 mg/dL
- Uncontrolled upper gastrointestinal bleeding
If the patient is eligible for treatment for Alcoholic Hepatitis, what should be started?
- Prednisolone
- Enteral nutrition
What are the 5 complications of cirrhosis?
- HE
- EVB
- HRS
- Ascites
- SBP
What is Ascites?
Accumulation of an excessive amount of fluid within the peritoneal cavity
What is the pathophysiology for Ascites?
- Fibrotic liver –> portal HTN –> activates vasodilatory mechanisms (NO)
- Kidneys sense inadequate renal perfusion and activate the RAAS to retain more Na and H2O
- Increase hydrostatic pressure
- Decrease oncotic pressure due to decrease albumin production
What are the S/S of Ascites?
- Protruding abdomen
- Pitting edema
- Positive fluid wave
- Shifting dullness
- Abdominal pain
For the very first episode of Ascites, what is the diagnosis/fluid assessment?
SAAG Score = Albumin serum - Albumin ascitic fluid
What SAAG Score confirms portal HTN causation?
> 1.1 m/dL
What are the grades of Ascites, and the type of therapy considerations?
- Mild = sodium restriction
- Moderate = diuretics
- Large = drain tap
What are the goals of therapy for Ascites?
- Control ascites
- Prevent/relieve symptoms
- Prevent complications
What are the non-pharmacologic interventions for Grade 1 Mild Ascites?
- Alcohol Abstinence
- Sodium Restriction <2 g/day
- Fluid Restriction if Na <120-125 mEq/L
What is the first line treatment option for Grade 2 Moderate Ascites?
Spironolactone + Furosemide + Nonpharmacologic
What is the MOA of Spironolactone?
Inhibits the action of aldosterone in the distal convoluted tubule; K+ sparing
What is the MOA Furosemide?
Inhibits reabsorption of Na and Cl in the ascending loop of Henle and distal renal tubule
What is the dosing ratio of Spironolactone and Furosemide?
Spironolactone 100 mg/day PO
Furosemide 40 mg/day PO
Why is the dosing ratio so important for Spironolactone and Furosemide?
Keep Potassium within NORMAL range
If you can only do one drug between Spironolactone and Furosemide, which one would be better?
Spironolactone, because of RAAS inhibition
What is the treatment titration for Spironolactone and Furosemide?
- Double dose to response every 3-5 days
- MAINTAIN 100 mg: 40 mg ratio for normokalemia
- MAX Dose: Spironolactone 400 mg + Furosemide 160 mg
What is the goal of the dual diuretic?
Make patient comfortable, will note completely eliminate ascites
HOLD diuretic therapy if what has occurred during monitoring?
- Uncontrolled or recurrent encephalopathy
- Sodium <120 mEq/L
- Acute change in baseline renal function AKI