Liver Flashcards
What are the common causes of acute liver injury?
viral (A, B, EBV)
drugs
alcohol
vascular
obstruction
congestion
What are the common causes of chronic liver injury?
alcohol
viral (B, C)
autoimmune
metabolic (iron, copper)
congestion
obstruction
What are the presentations of acute liver injury?
malaise, nausea, anorexia, jaundice
rarer: confusion, bleeding, liver pain
What are the presentations of chronic liver injury?
ascites, oedema, haematemesis (vomiting blood), malaise, anorexia, wasting, easy bruising, itching, hepatomegaly, abnormal LFTs
rarer: jaundice, confusion
What is measured in Liver Function Tests?
serum bilirubin
albumin
prothrombin time
Serum liver enzymes: (give no index of liver function)
alkaline phosphatase
gamma-GT
transaminases (AST, ALT)
What are the signs of cholestatic jaundice?
dark urine
pale stools
itching
abnormal LFTs
What is the significance of very high AST/ALT levels in the blood?
Suggestive of liver disease
What are the 3 types of gallstones?
Intrahepatic bile duct stones (hepatolithiasis)
- contain mainly brown pigment and cholesterol stones
Gallbladder stones (cholecystolithias)
- contain cholesterol (or black pigment) stones
Extrahepatic bile duct stones (choledocholithiasis)
- primary sontes mainly brown pigment stones, whereas secondary stones mainly cholesterol stones
How are gallstones managed?
Gallbladder stones:
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
- Bile acid dissolution therapy (<1/3 success)
Bile duct stones:
- ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) with sphincterotomy and removal (basket or balloon), crushing (mechanical, laser..), stent placement
- surgery (large stones)
What are the key presentations of gallbladder and bile duct stones?
Gallbladder:
Biliary pain, cholecystitis, sometimes obstructive jaundice
Bile duct:
Biliary pain, Obstructive jaundice, Cholangitis (inflammation of bile duct system) , Pancreatitis
What are the types of Drug-induced liver injury?
- Hepatocellular (ALT >2 ULN, ALT/Alk Phos ≥ 5)
diclofenac, disulfiram, isoniazid, lamotrigine - Cholestatic (Alk Phos >2 ULN or ALT/Alk phos ≤ 2)
amoxicillin-clavulanate, cephalosporins, flucloxacillin, penicillin, sulfonamide, terbinafine - Mixed (ALT/Alk phos between 2 and 5)
carbamazepine, lamotrigine, phenytoin, sulfonamides
Which drugs most commonly cause DILI?
Antibiotics (32-45%) - augmentin, flucloxacillin, penicillin, erythromycin
CNS Drugs (15%) - chlorpromazine, carbamazepine, valproate
Immunosuppressants (5%)
Analgesics/musculoskeletal (5-17%) - diclofenac
GI Drugs (10%) - PPIs
Dietary supplements (10%)
Multiple drugs (20%)
How is paracetamol induced liver failure treated?
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
+ supportive treatment to correct coagulation defects, fluid/electrolyte imbalances, renal failure, hypoglycaemia, encephalopathy
What are the indicators of severe paracetamol-induced liver failure?
late presentation (NAC less effective >24hrs)
acidosis (pH<7.3)
prothrombin time >70 sec
serum creatinine ≥ 300umol/l
80% mortality if no liver transplant
What are the causes of ascites?
- Chronic liver disease (most) - hepatoma, TB, +/- portal vein thrombosis
- Neoplasia
- Pancreatitis, cardiac causes
What is the pathophysiology of ascites?
increased intrahepatic resistance
↓
Systemic vasodilation -> Portal hypertension
↓ ↓
↓ ascites <– low serum albumin
Secretion of:
- Renin-angiotensin
- Noradrenaline
- Vasopression
↓
Fluid retention
What is the management for ascites?
- Fluid and salt restriction
- Diuretics (spironolactone +/- furosemide (helps to maintain normal potassium))
- large-volume paracentesis + albumin
- trans-jugular intrahepatic portsystemic shunt (TIPS)
What is the effect of alcohol on the liver?
It changes the way that hepatocytes metabolise and produce fat.
Fat accumulation within hepatocytes is termed steatosis which can be large droplet (macrovesicular) or small droplet (microvesicular).
What are the risk factors for Alcoholic hepatitis?
Female
Drinking pattern, binge
Quantity consumed
Obesity
HCV
Genetics
What are the stages of progression to Alcoholic hepatitis?
Normal
↓ (90% of heavy drinkers)
Steatosis
↓ (20-40%)
Alcoholic steatohepatitis/fibrosis
↓ (8-20%)
Cirrhosis → (3-10%) Hepatocellular carcinoma
↓ (70%)
Alcoholic hepatitis
What is portal hypertension?
High blood pressure in the portal system as a result of increased hepatic resistance and increased splanchnic blood flow.
What are the causes of portal hypertension?
cirrhosis, fibrosis, portal vein thrombosis
What are possible consequences of portal hypertension?
Varices (oesophageal, gastric…)
Splenomegaly
What is the Lille score used for?
To assess the patient response to a liver transplant
Scores >0.45 predict a 6-month survival of 25%. Scores <0.45 predict a 6-month survival of 85%
What are the causes of acute worsening of chronic liver disease (‘going off’)?
Constipation
Drugs - sedatives, analgesics
- NSAIDs, diuretics, ACE blockers
Gastrointestinal bleed
Infection (ascites, blood, skin, chest …)
HYPO: natraemia, kalaemia, glycaemia …
Alcohol withdrawal (not typically)
Other (cardiac, intracranial …)
What are the reasons why liver patients are vulnerable to infection?
impaired reticulo-endothelial function reduced opsonic activity
leucocyte function
permeable gut wall
What causes coma in patients with CLD?
Hepatic encephalopathy (ammonia …)
- infection
- GI bleed
- constipation
- hypokalaemia
- drug (sedatives, analgesics)
Hyponatraemia / hypoglycaemia
Intracranial event
What are 5 bedside tests for encephalopathy?
Serial 7’s (count down from 100 in 7s)
WORLD backwards
Animal counting in 1 minute
Draw 5 point star
Number connection test
What are some severe consquences of liver dysfunction?
Malnutrition
Coagulopathy
- impaired coagulation factor synthesis
- vitamin K deficiency (cholestasis)
- thrombocytopenia
Endocrine changes
- gynaecomastia
- impotence
- amenorrhoea
Hypoglycaemia (+/-)
Which drugs are used to treat liver disease?
Analgesia:
- sensitive to opiates
- NSAIDs cause renal failure
- paracetamol safest
Sedation:
- use short-acting benzodiazepines
(with care!!!)
Diuretics:
- excess weight loss - hyponatraemia
- hyperkalaemia
- renal failure
Antihypertensives:
- can often stop
- avoid ACE inhibitors
Aminoglycosides:
- avoid
What are the actions taken when liver patients ‘go off’?
1 ABC: Airway, Breathing, Circulation
2 Look at chart
- vital signs, O2, BM(glucose), drug chart
3 Look at patient
- focus of infection? bleeding?
4 Tests
- FBC, U&E, blood cultures, ascitic fluid clotting, LFTs …
WHat are the causes of CLD?
Alcohol
Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Viral hepatitis (B, C)
Immune
- autoimmune hepatitis
- primary biliary cirrhosis
- sclerosing cholangitis
Metabolic
- haemochromatosis
- Wilson’s
- a1 antitrypsin deficiency…
Vascular
- Budd-Chiari
WHat are the causes of CLD?
Alcohol
Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Viral hepatitis (B, C)
Immune
- autoimmune hepatitis
- primary biliary cirrhosis
- sclerosing cholangitis
Metabolic
- haemochromatosis
- Wilson’s
- a1 antitrypsin deficiency…
Vascular
- Budd-Chiari
What are the investigations for chronic liver disease?
Viral serology - hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C antibody
Immunology
- autoantibodies - AMA, ANA, ASMA, coeliac antibodies
- immunoglobulins
Biochemistry
- iron studies
- copper studies - caeruloplasmin, 24hr urine copper
- a1-antitrypsin level
- lipids, glucose
Radiological investigations - USS / CT / MRI
What are the possible causes of hepatitis?
- Viral (A,B,C, CMB, EBV)
- Drug-induced
- Autoimmune
- Alcoholic
what is primary biliary cholangitis?
A form of autoimmune hepatitis (liver inflammation) affecting the small bile ducts.
What are the presentations of PBC?
- Asymptomatic lab abnormalities
- Itching and/or fatigue
- Dry eyes
- Joint pains
- Variceal bleeding
- Liver failure; ascites, jaundice
What is the treatment for PBC?
- Ursodeoxycholic acid (reduces intestinal absorption of cholesterol)
- Colestyramine (prevents bile absorption in the gut + can help with pruritis)
- Liver transplant in end stage liver disease
- Immunosuppression
What is primary sclerosing cholangitis?
An autoimmune condition where the intrahepatic or extrahepatic ducts become strictured and fibrotic. This causes an obstruction to the flow of bile out of the liver and into the intestines.
Sclerosis refers to the stiffening and hardening of the bile ducts, and cholangitis is inflammation of the bile ducts.
Chronic bile obstruction eventually leads to liver inflammation (hepatitis), fibrosis and cirrhosis.
What autoimmune disease is strongly linked to PSC?
Over 70% of PSC patients have inflammatory bowel disease
What are the risk factors for PSC?
Male
Aged 30-40
Ulcerative Colitis (IFD)
FHx
What are the key presentations of PSC?
Jaundice
Chronic right upper quadrant pain
Pruritis
Fatigue
Hepatomegaly
What is the gold standard test for PSC?
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (shows bile duct lesions or strictures)
What is haemochromatosis?
An iron storage disorder resulting in excessive total body iron and deposition of iron in tissues
What is the cause of haemochromatosis?
In most cases (90%) it is caused by autosomal recessive mutation of human haemochromatosis protein gene on chromosome 6 which is important in regulating iron metabolism
What are the symptoms of haemochromatosis?
Chronic tiredness
Joint pain
Pigmentation (bronze/slate grey discolouration)
Hair loss
Erectile dysfunction
Amenorrhoea
Cognitive symptoms (memory and mood disturbance)
What are the investigations for Haemochromatosis?
Serum ferritin
Transferrin saturation
Genetic testing
Liver biopsy with Perl’s stain
CT abdomen
MRI
What is the management for haemochromatosis?
Venesection
Monitoring serum ferritin
Avoid alcohol
Genetic counselling
Monitoring and treatment of complications
What is a1-antitrypsin deficiency ?
A condition caused by an abnormality in the gene for a protease inhibitor called a1-antitrypsin which results in inability to export it from the liver. A1AT protects tissues by inhibiting the neutrophil elastase enzyme which digests connective tissue and so deficiency results in tissue damage particularly to the liver and lungs.
What are the CAGE questions?
Used to screen for harmful alcohol use
C- Cut down? (ever thought you should reduce alcohol intake)
A - Annoyed? (annoyed at other for comments re drinking)
G - Guilty? (guilt about drinking)
E - Eye opener? (morning drinking to help hangover/nerves?)
What are the signs of alcoholic liver disease?
Jaundice
Hepatomegaly
Spider Naevi
Palmar Erythema
Gynaecomastia
Bruising – due to abnormal clotting
Ascites
Caput Medusae – engorged superficial epigastric veins
Asterixis – “flapping tremor” in decompensated liver disease
What are the investigations for ALD?
FBC (↑MCV), LFTs (↑ALT + AST, ↑GGT), Clotting (↑prothrombin), U+Es
USS
Endoscopy
CT/MRI
Liver biopsy
What is the management for ALD?
STOP DRINKING permanently
Nutritional support + high protein diet
Steroids
Treat complications (portal hypertension, varices, ascites)
Liver transplant in severe disease (+alcohol abstinence)
What is NAFLD?
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
= Overarching term for conditions caused by a build-up of fat in the liver not caused by heavy alcohol use.
What are the risk factors for NAFLD?
obesity
Hypertension
T2DM
FHx
Endocrine disorders
Drugs (NSAIDs, amiodarone)
Smoking
High cholesterol
What is the pathophysiology of NAFLD?
Hepatosteatosis → Non alcoholic steatohepatitis → Fibrosis → Cirrhosis
What are the key presentations for NAFLD?
Typically asymptomatic (initial findings incidental)
Very severe → signs of liver failure
What are the investigations for NAFLD?
USS abdo
Bloods (deranged LFTs, ↑prothrombin, ↓albumin, ↑bilirubin)
FBC - thrombocytopenia, hyperglycaemia
What is the management for NAFLD?
Lose weight
Control risk factors (statins, metformin, ACE-i)
Vitamin E (improves histological steatotic/fibrotic liver appearance)
What are the potential complications of NAFLD?
HE, ascites, HCC, portal hypertension, oesophageal varices
What are ALT and AST?
Alanine aminotransferase and aspartine aminotransferase are transaminases. These are liver enzymes released into the blood as a result of inflammation of the liver cells.
What is the difference between acute and chronic hepatitis?
Acute = infection cleared within 6 months
Chronic = infection prolonged beyond 6 months
What causes hepatitis A?
a picoRNA virus transmitted via faecal-oral spread which replicates in the liver and is excreted in the bile
What are the risk factors for hep A?
Overcrowding
poor sanitation
shellfish
travel
What are the key presentations of Hep A?
Malaise, nausea + vomiting and fever in prodromal phase (1-2 wks)
Jaundice, dark urine + pale stools, hepatosplenomegaly following this
What are the investigations for Hep A?
Bloods - ↑ESR + leukopenia
LFTs - bilirubin ↑ when icteric (jaundiced)
HAV serology - HAV IgM = acutely infected
What is the management of Hep A?
supportive (basic analgesia)
vaccination
What is the cause of Hep B?
a dsDNA virus which infects hepatocytes
What are the transmission routes for Hep B?
- Needles
- Sexual
- Vertical (mother to baby)
- Horizontal
What are the risk factors for Hep B?
IV drug abuse
MSM (men who have sex with men)
Dialysis patients
Healthcare workers
What are the key presentations of Hep B?
SImilar to hep A
1-2 week prodrome
deepening jaundice, dark urine, pale stools
Hepatosplenomegaly
Urticaria
Arthralgia
What are the investigations for Hep B?
Serology:
Surface antigen (HBsAg) – active infection
E antigen (HBeAg) – marker of viral replication and implies high infectivity
Core antibodies (HBcAb) – implies past or current infection
Surface antibody (HBsAb) – implies vaccination or past or current infection
Hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) – this is a direct count of the viral load
What is the treatment for Hep B?
vaccination for prevention
s/c pegylated interferon alpha 2A (antiviral agent)
What causes Hep C?
ssRNA virus
What is the prognosis for Hep C?
1/4 make full recovery
3/4 contract chronic hep C
How is Hep C transmitted?
Most commonly via needles in IVDU, limited vertical + sexual transmission
what are the key presentations of hep C?
often acutely asymptomatic, few patients with influenza-like symptoms
present later with chronic liver signs + hepatosplenomegaly
What are the serology results for Hep C?
HCV RNA = current infection/diagnoses acute infection
HCV Ab = presents within 4-6 weeks of infection
What is the treatment for Hep C?
Curable with direct acting antivirals (DAA): oral ribavirin + NS5A-I/NS5B-I
Liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease
What percentage of Hep C cases progress to chronic liver failure?
30%
what is the cause of hepatitis D?
ssRNA virus combined with hep B infection
How is hep D transmitted?
exposure to infected blood and serous body fluids; and contaminated needles, syringes, blood and plasma product transfusions
Why is Hep D dependent on Hep B?
It is an incomplete virus and uses HBV to assemble itself
What are the symptoms of Hep D?
Mild illness - abdo pain, fatigue, pruritis, fever, muscle aches, n/v, jaundice
What is the cause of Hep E?
ssRNA virus
What risk factors are associated with Hep E?
Undercooked pork
contaminated water
What is the pathophysiology of Hep E?
Self-limiting acute hepatitis but can cause chronic disease in immunosuppressed individuals and fulminant liver failure which is high risk in pregnant women
What are the key presentations of Hep E?
Mild illness (abdo pain, fatigue, pruritus, fever, muscle aches, nausea/vomiting, jaundice)
What are the investigations for Hep E?
Serology (HEV IgM = acute infection)
What is the management for Hep E?
Supportive treatment, self-limiting
What is autoimmune hepatitis?
rare cause of chronic hepatitis
What is the cause of autoimmune hepatitis?
Exact cause is unknown but thought to be associated with a genetic predisposition and triggered by environmental factors such a viral infection that causes a T cell-mediated response against the liver cells
What are the risk factors for autoimmune hepatitis?
Female
Other autoimmune disease
Viral hepatitis
HLA DR3 or DR4
What are the two types of autoimmune hepatitis?
T1: occurs in adults and typically affects women in their late 40s/50s, presents around or after menopause with fatigue and features of liver disease on examination
T2: occurs in children and typically teenagers or patients in their early twenties present with acute hepatitis with high transaminase and jaundice
What are the presentations of autoimmune hepatitis?
Mild illness (abdo pain, fatigue, pruritus, fever, muscle aches, nausea/vomiting, jaundice)
What is the gold standard investigation for autoimmune hepatitis?
Liver biopsy
What is the management for autoimmune hepatitis?
High dose corticosteroids (prednisolone)
Immunosuppressants (azathioprine)
Hep A+B vaccination
Liver transplant may be required in end stage liver disease
What are the infectious causes of acute hepatitis?
Viral: hepatitis A, B+/- D, C+E, human herpes viruses, influenza, SARS-CoV-2
Non-viral: spirochaetes (leptospirosis, syphilis), mycobacteria (M. tuberculosis), Bacteria (bartonella), parasites (toxoplasma)
What are non-infectious causes of acute hepatitis?
Drugs
Alcohol
Other toxins / poisoning
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Pregnancy
Autoimmune hepatitis
Hereditary metabolic causes
What is liver cirrhosis?
The replacement of normal liver cells with fibrosis (scar tissue) forming nodules of scar tissue within the liver
what are the most common causes of liver cirrhosis?
Alcoholic liver disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Hep B, hep C