liver!! Flashcards
fatty liver patho
1st stage of liver disease d/t alcohol consumption - >30% of hepatocytes w/ TG accumulation
**reversible quickly w/ abstinence! no fibrosis / necrosis!
fatty liver pres
- most asx
- may have vague malaise, fatigue, RUQ pain
fatty liver labs
- w/ alcohol, expect AST:ALT 2:1 or more
- *mild elevation - AST rarely >300-500 and ALT rarely >300!
- can have normal labs!!
NAFL patho
fatty liver due to metabolic complications - a/w insulin resistance w/ increased lipolysis, TG accum in liver and FA uptake!
***does NOT progress and NOT a/w sig inflammation!
NASH patho
progressive NAFLD w/ >50% of hepatocytes w/ TG accumulation with inflammation and fibrosis!
*progresses to cirrhosis (1-5%) and hepatocellular carcinoma!
RF NAFL & NASH
- insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, dys/hyperlipidemia, hypothyroidism
- can see NAFLD acutely w/ pregnancy - confusion, RUQ pain, jaundice - must deliver to correct!
when to suspect NAFLD and NASH…
Asx patient with elevated AST and ALT, espeically w/ diabetes / obesity / hyperlipidemia!
workup for NAFLD
- CMP to see elevated LFT
- AST < ALT = NONALCOHOLIC!
- AST: ALT = 2:1 or more…ALCOHOLIC!
- check RF - lipids, glucose, AIC and check meds (methotrexate, glucocorticoids, tetracyclines, tamoxifen)
- acute changes: LDH, AST, ALT, lactate
- chronic changes: PT, bilirubin, albumin - R/o hepatitis!! w/ serology!
- r/o autoimmune w/ ANA, gammaglobulin, antismooth muscle antibody
- r/o hemochromatosis w/ iron studies!
- often have elevated alk phos and ferritin
- u/s is best imaging
- biopsy only for severe - only way to differeentiate NAFLD AND NASH
NAFLD diagnostic criteria
- evidence (imaging / histology) of steatosis
- r/o alcohol consumption
- r/o other causes of steatosis
labs c/w alcoholic liver dz
- ast: ast >2 and moderately increased (hundreds)
- increased ggt
- macrocytic anemia
- increased carbohydrate-deficient transferrin
* always check bili, alk phos and GGT, albumin and coag tests
diagnosis of alcoholic liver dz…
- consistent hx, PE findings
1. labs -elevated ast: alt 2:1 or more, elevated ggt, macro anemia
2. r/o hepatitis, hemochromatosis, autoimmune
3. steatosis on imaging: u/s (cannot distinguish from nonalcoholic steatosis!) - may need biopsy if unclear after imaging
distinguishing NAFL and NASH…
LIVER BIOPSY then calculate NAFLD score -
<3 = NAFL
3-4 = borderline NASH
5+ = NASH
NAFLD management
- WEIGHT LOSS!!! most beneficial!
- control other CVD risk factors - statin for lipids, diabetes
- vitamin E in non-diabetics
- avoid alcohol!
- monitor labs q 1 year and u/s q 1 year
metabolic syndrome - criteria
3 or more of:
- blood glucose 100+ or on tx
- bp 130/85 or more or on antihypertensives
- triglycerids of 150 or more or on tx
- hdl < 50 women
- waist circum 102cm or more in men or 88 cm or more in women
cirrhosis! patho and causes
chronic liver dz/ w/ fibrosis and nodules, most due to alcohol and hep c/b
- irreversible!
- 2 major effects:
- portal HTN: ascites, edema, caput medusa, hemorroids, splenomegaly, varicosities
- biochem changes w/ hepatocyte death: low albumin, increased conjugated bili, abnl coags
- always look at meds, family hx (think about alpha 1 antitrypsin def, hemochromatosis, wilsons..)
cirrhosis - whats used to classify severity?
child classification - a (best) and c (worst)
- assesses ascites, albumin, bili, encephalopathy and nutrition status
cirrhosis pres
- lots asx
- nonspecific malaise, fatigue, RUQ discomfort, anorexia, bleeding
- stimata: caput medusa, ascites, palmar erythema, spider angiomatas, peripheral edema, fluid wave, gynecomastia, testicular atrophy
whats considered “decompensated cirrhosis?”
once a patient has complications of cirrhosis = decompensated
complications of liver dz
AC, 9H:
- ascites
- coagulopathy
- high ammonia
- hepatic encephalopathy
- hypoalbumin
- hepatorenal syndrome
- high bilirubin
- hypoglycemia
- portal hypertension
- hepatocellular carcinoma
- hyperestrinism (vascular changes)
portal htn - liver dz
- pres: bleeding, ascites
- dx: paracentesis can help if ascites present
- tx: TIPS, nonselective BB for varices if present
ascites - liver dz
MOST COMMON COMPLICATION! MUST HAVE PORTAL HTN TO HAVE ASCITES! then also have low albumin!
- pres: shifting dullness, fluid wave, distension
- dx: paracentesis indicated w/ new-onset / changing, suspect SBP, SOB/tense abdomen
- *serum ascites albumin gradient >1.1 suggests portal htn! (transudate, while <1.1 suggests exudate d/t inflam / pancreatitis/ biliary / CA)
- confirm w/ ultrasound
- tx: bed rest, salt restriction and diuretics: lasix + aldactone! may need abx if suspect SBP
hepatorenal syndrome - liver dz
- seen w/ advanced liver disease - renal failure d/t poor perfusion and arterial vasoconstriction that does NOT respond to fluids!
- often precipitated by infection or diuretics!
sx: azotemia, oliguria, hypotension, hyponatremia and low urine sodium - tx: liver transplant - poor prognosis!
SBP - liver dz
- infection of ascitic fluid most d/t E coli
- pres: abdominal pain, rebound, fever
- suspect in anyone w/ ascites w/ new onset fever or change in mental status
- dx: paracentesis w/ wbc >500 and PMN <250, culture
- tx: for prophylaxis: rocephin, tailor to culture and repeat paracentesis 2-3 days later to doc decreased PMN
cirrhosis tx
- avoid alcohol and toxic meds!
2. monior labs q 3-4 mo, endoscopy for varices (nonselective BB for prophylaxis), CT biopsy if suspect HCC