Liver Flashcards
The liver is the site of synthesis of all clotting factors except
vWF
CV function in patients with cirrhosis
-
Hyperdynamic circulation
- High CO and Low SVR
- Possible cardiomyopathy
- Decreased response to catecholamines
- Increased flow to splanchnic, pulm, muscular, cutaneous beds
- Decreased hepatic flow
- Portal HTN
- Arterial hypoxemia
S/S of cirrhosis
- Fatigue /malaise
- Anorexia/ weakness
- Nausea/ vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Jaundice /spider nevi
- Hypoalbuminemia
- Coagulation disorders
- Endocrine disorders
- Hepatic encephalopathy
- Gastroesophageal variceal
- Hepatomegaly /ascites
Many alcoholics can get cardiomyopathy. How does this affect your anesthetic?
Don’t give anything that depressed the myocardium
How do the majority of cirrhosis patients die during abdominal surgery?
60% die from bleeding
Coagulation in Cirrhosis
Treat bleeding with FFP, Vitamin K, Platelets
Cirrhosis patients will have:
- Prolonged PT/INR
- Vit K deficiency
- factors II, V, VII, IX, X deficiency
- Thrombocytopenia
(Bleeding accounts for 60% of deaths in abdominal surgery →syrgery contraindicated if Platelets < 50,000 or PT> 3 )
Pre-op considerations in cirrhosis
- Treat as full stomach →RSI
- Low albumin → decrease doses
- Ascites → fluid status
- Cardiomyopathy
- PaO2 60-70 (R->L pulm shunt)
- Hypoglycemia
- Pneumonia
- Encephalopathy
- Hepatorenal syndrome
monitoring for cirrhosis patients
- CVP, A-line, +/- PA
- UO→ foley
- Blood glucose
- AVOID esophageal temp probe
Why are cirrhosis patients considered full stomachs?
- Alcohol use weakens the lower esophageal sphincter
Liver patients tend to be (hyper/hypo)glycemic
- Hypoglycemic.
- Give fluids with glucose
- Pts are hypoglycemic d/t decreased hepatic gluconeogenesis.
How should we maintain anesthesia for the patient with cirrhosis?
IA at 1/2 MAC with N2O and opioids
In cirrhosis, we need a (higher/lower) dose of NMRs and why?
Need higher dose because Vd will be increased
What NMBs are best for cirrhosis
- Mivacurium
- atracurium
- cisatracurium*
- (the ones metabolized in blood)
- Sux is apparently ok too
Reasons why liver patients are at risk for morbidities post-op
- Pneumonia
- Bleeding
- Sepsis
- Poor wound healing
- Liver dysfunction
- DT’s
Other comorbidities that alcoholics may have
- Hypothermia
- alcoholic poluneuropathy
- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
- Pernicious anemia
Considerations for Maintinence of anesthesia ain cirrhosis patients
-
Balanced technique:
- Combine Volitile anesthetics (1/2 MAC), N2O and opioids.
-
Manitain hepatic blood flow →
- Sevo, Iso and Des are all safe to use
- MUST maintain an adequate BP →hypotension will decrease oxygen delivery to the hepatoytes
-
Use NMBs that are metabolized in the blood
- mivacurium, atracurioum, cis-atratrcurium, sux
- Will also need larger doses → d/t larger volume of distribution, but also the doses will last longer
- Don’t give anything that will depress the heart!
- Patients will have low protein binding
- Bleeding risk
-
Considered full stomachs
- poor lower esophageal sphincter tone
- Give fluids that contain glucose → often they become hypoglycemic
This enzyme is deficient in porphyria
ALA synthetase
S/S of porphyria attack
- abd pain
- N/V
- ANS instability (HTN and tachycardia)
- electorlyte (Na, K, MG) disturbances,
- neuro psych manifestations
- weakness
- Weakness can progress to quadriparesis and respiratory failure.
Regional anesthesia and porhyria
- AVOID During an acute exacerbation
- itherwise no absolute contraindications
- Pre anesthetic neuro eval
- Keep in mined ANS blockade may lead to cardiovascular instibility (especially with hypovolemia)
Why do patients have hyperdynamic circulation with liver disease?
Accumulation of vasodilating compounds like prostaglandins and interleukins. Reduced blood viscosity may also play a role.