Liver Flashcards
Kidney is to nephron as liver is to
Lobule (acinus)
How much lymph is made in the liver and where is it made?
About 50% of the body’s lymph is made there by hepatocytes, and drain into the space of Disse before emptying into the lymphatic duct
Hemoglobin to Bilirubin metabolism
- Old RBCs are cleared by the spleen - In the spleen = Hgb -> Heme -> Bilirubin (Unconjugated) - Unconjugated bilirubin is lipophilic and neurotoxic. Travels bound to albumin to liver. - Liver conjugates it with glucuronic acid to increase it’s water solubility - This is now CONJUGATED bilirubin and is excreted in the bile
PT and liver function
Good for detecting ACUTE liver injury. This is because factors V and VII have short 1/2 lives (
Albumin and liver function
Not very specific for liver disease because many things can cause albumin levels to decrease - Not good indicator of acute liver disease (1/2 life of albumin is 21 days)
AST/ALT ratio > ___ suggests cirrhosis or alcoholic liver disease
2
This is the MOST sensitive lab indicator of biliary tract obstruction
5-NT 5-NT > GGTP > AP
In hepatocellular injury, will you see a rise in conjugated or unconjugated bilirubin
Conjugated
This clotting factor is made by the liver but NOT by hepatocytes
Factor VIII It’s made by sinusoidal cells
How liver handles Tylenol
- Tylenol produces a toxic metabolite called NAPQI - This is normally conjugated with glutathione so be excreted in the bile - In this case, all the glutathione gets used up and NAPQI starts harming the liver
Risk factors for halothane hepatitis
Fat females > 40 with multiple exposures. - Genetics - CYP2E1 induction (from alcohol, ionized, and phenobarbital)
How does alcohol affect the liver
Impairs fatty acid metabolism, head to fat buildup within the liver –> hepatomegaly
Why is propranolol good in liver failure?
It’s a NONSELECTIVE BB - B1 = decreased CO - B2 = splanchnic vasoconstrition Remember that splanchnic vasoconstriction will reduce portal venous pressures and treat esophageal varies
Propanalol - how does it reduce the blood flow to the liver
through constriction of the hepatic artery - it’s a non selective BB
How does amiodarone affect the liver?
It’s hepatotoxic
Main 2 considerations for patients with liver injury presenting for surgery
1) Maintain hepatic BF 2) Avoid any drugs that are hepatotoxic or suppress the CYP450
Anesthesia considerations for pt with acute hepatitis
1) Maintain hepatic BF - Use Iso (preserves BF the best) - Avoid PEEP (increases resistance to hepatic drainage, and remember that increased hepatic venous pressure will decrease hepatic perfusion pressure) - Ensure normocapnia - Lots of IV fluids - Regional OK as long as no coag defects 2) Avoid hepatotoxic drugs or those that suppress the CYP450 - Tylenol - Halothane - Amiodarone - Antibiotics (PCN, tetracycline, and sulfonamides)