h e p a t o l o g y Flashcards
what are the causes of liver failure - acute vs chronic
chronic = cirrhosis
acute = Infection: Hep A/B, CMV, EBV, leptospirosis
Toxin: EtOH, paracetamol, isoniazid, halothane
Vasc: Budd-Chiari
Other: Wilson’s, AIH
Obs - eclampsia, acute fatty liver of pregnancy
what are the signs of liver failure
Jaundice
Oedema + ascites
Bruising
Encephalopathy= Aterixis, Constructional apraxia (5-pointed star)
Fetor hepaticus
signs of cirrhosis or chronic liver disease
what investigations are required in liver failure
FBC: infection, GI bleed, ↓ MCV (EtOH) U+E = ↓U, ↑Cr: hepatorenal syndrome Urea synth in liver poor test of renal function LFT AST:ALT > 2 = EtOH AST:ALT < 1 = Viral Albumin: ↓ in chronic liver failure PT: ↑ in acute liver failure Clotting: ↑INR Glucose ABG: metabolic acidosis Cause: Ferritin, α1AT, caeruloplasmin, Abs, paracetamol levels Microbiology Hep, CMV, EBV serology Blood and urine culture Ascites MCS + SAAG Radiology CXR Abdo US + portal vein duplex
what is hepatorenal syndrome
dx of exclusion
renal failure in pt with advanced CLF
describe the pathophysiology of hepatorenal syndrome
- Cirrhosis → splanchnic arterial vasodilatation → effective circulatory volume → RAS activation → renal arterial vasoconstriction.
Persistent underfilling of renal circulation → failure
how is liver failure managed
Manage in ITU
Rx underlying cause: e.g. NAC in paracetamol OD
Good nutrition: e.g. via NGT ̄c high carbs
Thiamine supplements
Prophylactic PPIs vs. stress ulcers
what clinical parameters require monitoring in liver failure
Fluids: urinary and central venous catheters Bloods: daily FBC, U+E, LFT, INR
Glucose: 1-4hrly + 10% dextrose IV 1L/12h
what are the complications of liver failure
Bleeding: Vit K, platelets, FFP, blood
Sepsis: tazocin (avoid gent: nephrotoxicity)
Ascites: fluid and salt restrict, spiro, fruse, tap, daily wt Hypoglycaemia: regular BMs, IV glucose if <2mM
Encephalopathy: avoid sedatives, lactulose ± enemas,
rifaximin
Seizures: lorazepam
Cerebral oedema: mannitol
what are the key points to remember when prescribing in liver failure
void: opiates, oral hypoglycaemics, Na-containing IVI Warfarin effects ↑
Hepatotoxic drugs: paracetamol, methotrexate,
isoniazid, salicylates, tetracycline
what are poor prognostic factors in liver failure
Grade 3/4 hepatic encephalopathy Age >40yrs Albumin <30g/L ↑INR Drug-induced liver failure
what is cirrhosis
permenant scarring/ fibrosis of the liver parenchyma
leading to loss of elasticity of liver and impaired organ architecture
what are the common causes of cirrhosis
Chronic EtOH
Chronic HCV (and HBV)
NAFLD / NASH
what are other causes of cirrhosis
Genetic: Wilson’s, α1ATD, HH, CF
AI: AH, PBC, PSC
Drugs: Methotrexate, amiodarone, methyldopa,
INH
Neoplasm: HCC, mets
Vasc: Budd-Chiari, RHF, constrict. pericarditis
what are the HAND signs on examination seen in pt with cirrhosis
Clubbing (± periostitis) Leuconychia (↓ albumin) Terry’s nails (white proximally, red distally) Palmer erythema Dupuytron’s contracture
what are the FACE signs on examination seen in pt with cirrhosis
Pallor: ACD
Xanthelasma: PBC
Parotid enlargement (esp. ̄c EtOH)
what are the TRUNK signs seen in cirrhosis on examination
Striae
Hepatomegaly (may be small in late disease)
Splenomegaly
Dilated superficial veins (Caput medusa)
Testicular atrophy
what are the complications associated with cirrhosis
- decompensation to hepatic failure
- SBP
- portal HTN
- increased risk of HCC
what are the signs of hepatic failure
Jaundice (conjugated) Encephalopathy Hypoalbuminaemia → oedema + ascites Coagulopathy → bruising Hypoglycaemia
what Lx are required in cirrhosis
FBC: ↓WCC and ↓ plats indicate hypersplenism ↑LFTs ↑INR ↓Albumin Find Cause EtOH: ↑MCV, ↑GGT NASH: hyperlipidaemia, ↑ glucose Infection: Hep, CMV, EBV serology Genetic: Ferritin, α1AT, caeruloplasmin (↓ in Wilson’s) Autoimmune: Abs (there is lots of cross-over) AIH: SMA, SLA, LKM, ANA PBC: AMA PSC: ANCA, ANA Ig: ↑IgG – AIH, ↑IgM – PBC Ca: α-fetoprotein Abdo US + PV Duplex
Ascites Ascitic Tap + MCS
Liver biopsy
describe the general management of cirrhosis
Good nutrition EtOH abstinence: baclofen helps ↓ cravings Colestyramine for pruritus Screening HCC: US and AFP Oesophageal varices: endoscopy
describe specific management of cirrhosis
HCV: Interferon-α
PBC: Ursodeoxycholic acid
Wilson’s: Penicillamine
what score is used to grade cirrhosis
child-pugh grading of cirrhosis
predicts risk of bleeding, mortality and need for Tx Graded A-C using severity of 5 factors Albumin Bilirubin Clotting Distension: Ascites Encephalopathy
score above 8 = significant risk for vatical bleeding
what are the causes of portal HTN
Pre-hepatic: portal vein thrombosis (e.g. pancreatitis)
Hepatic: cirrhosis (80% in UK), schisto (commonest
worldwide), sarcoidosis.
post hepatic = Budd-chiari, RHF, constrictive pericarditis
what are the portosystemic anastomoses and their effect
oesophageal varices = Portal (left and short gastric veins), systemic (inferior oesophageal veins)
caput medusae = (portal) peri umbilical veins, systemic (superficial abdo wall veins)
haemorrhoids = (portal) superficial rectal veins, systemic (inferior and medial rectal veins)
describe the pathophysiology behind encephalopathy
↓ hepatic metabolic function
Diversion of toxins from liver directly into systemic
system.
Ammonia accumulates and pass to brain where
astrocytes clear it causing glutamate → glutamine
↑ glutamine → osmotic imbalance → cerebral oedema
describe how encephalopathy is graded
1: Confused – irritable, mild confusion, sleep inversion
2: Drowsy – ↑ disorientated, slurred speech, asterixis
3: Stupor – rousable, incoherence
4: Coma – unrousable, ± extensor plantars
how do pt with encephalopathy present
Asterixis, ataxia Confusion Dysarthria Constructional apraxia Seizures
what are the precipitant of encepatholopathy
HEPATICS
Haemorrhage: e.g. varices Electrolytes: ↓K, ↓Na Poisons: diuretics, sedatives, anaesthetics Alcohol Tumour: HCC Infection: SBP , pneumonia, UTI, HDV Constipation (commonest cause) Sugar (glucose) ↓: e.g. low calorie diet
what investigation required in encephalopathy
increased plasma NH4
how is encephalopathy managed
lactulose and PO4 enemas to reduce nitrogen forming bowel bacteria = 2-4 soft stool/ d
consider rifaximin PO to kill intestinal microflora
describe the sequelae of portal HTN
SAVE
Splenomegaly
Ascites
Varices
Encephalopathy
what is ascites and what are the sx
Back-pressure → fluid exudation
↓ effective circulating volume → RAS activation
(In cirrhosis: ↓ albumin → ↓ plasma oncotic pressure and aldosterone metabolism impaired)
Distension → abdominal discomfort and anorexia Dyspnoea
↓ venous return
what is used to find ddx for ascites
Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient (SAGG)
what are the causes of SAAG grater than 1.1g/dL
SAAG ≥1.1g/dL = Portal HTN (97% accuracy)
Pre-, hepatic and post
Cirrhosis in 80%