Liver Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the blood supply of the liver.

A

20% from hepatic artery

80% from portal vein

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2
Q

What are the main functions of the liver?

A

Storage of glycogen and fat soluble vitamins
Synthesis of proteins (albumin)
T cell proliferation
Clearance/metabolism

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3
Q

Describe the 4 main liver function tests.

A

Bilirubin- break down of red blood cells
Gamma-glutamyl transferase- raised in recent alcohol consumption
Alanine aminotransferase- can indicate hepatocyte injury
Prothrombin time- represents levels of clotting factors being produced

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4
Q

What liver test results can be indicative of hepatocyte damage?

A

Raised AST, ALT, gamma-GT, total bilirubin

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5
Q

What liver test results can be indicative of cholestatic damage (blockage)?

A

Increased conjugated bilirubin, alkaline phosphate, cholesterol

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6
Q

What is acute liver disease?

A

Liver disease lasting less than 6 months due to inflammation/damage to hepatocytes

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7
Q

What are the major causes of acute liver disease?

A

Drugs

Acute hepatitis

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8
Q

What are the most common causes of hepatitis A?

A

Recent travel

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9
Q

What are the most common causes of hepatitis B?

A

Tattoos

Blood transfusions

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10
Q

What is the treatment for hepatitis B?

A

Healthcare professionals are given vaccinations

Tenofovir/entecavir with interferon alpha 2a

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11
Q

What are the most common causes of hepatitis C?

A

Blood transfusions

IV drug use

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12
Q

What is the treatment of hepatitis C?

A

Ribavarin

Interferon alpha 2b

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13
Q

In what conditions can hepatitis D cause liver damage?

A

Can only propagate in the presence of hepatitis B.

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14
Q

What is hepatitis E?

A

Self limiting but does not cause chronic disease.

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15
Q

What is type A drug induced liver disease?

A

Predictable, dose dependent and affects most patients with sufficient dose.

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16
Q

What is type B drug induced liver disease?

A

Dose independent with a latent period of weeks to months

17
Q

Give examples of drugs causing type B drug induced liver disease?

A

Isoniazid

Chlorpromazine

18
Q

What is acute hepatitis?

A

Presents with jaundice but spontaneously recovers

19
Q

What is chronic liver disease?

A

Liver disease lasting over 6 months

20
Q

What are the common causes of chronic liver disease?

A
Hepatitis C
Alcohol consumption
Primary biliary cirrhosis
Autoimmune hepatitis
Cancer
21
Q

Why can liver disease be difficult to detect?

A

Symptoms are vague such as fatigue, fever, nausea

22
Q

Give examples of specific liver disease symptoms.

A
Spider naevi
Gynecomastia
Splenomegaly
Oedema
Clubbing
Xanthelasmas
23
Q

What are the symptoms are end stage liver disease?

A

Hepatic flap
Ascites
Neurological changes
Oesophageal varices

24
Q

What is the most common cause of liver disease in the UK?

25
What is pruritus?
Build up of bile salts in the skin leading to itching
26
What is ascites?
Build cup of fluid in abdominal cavity, treated with diuretics
27
What are the symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy?
Abnormal mental state Hepatic flap Fetor hepaticus breath (sweet but fecal)
28
What is hepatic encephalopathy?
Build up of toxins, mainly nitrogenous due to reduced liver function
29
What is oesophageal varices?
Dilated submucosal veins, large amount of blood loss
30
What is the treatment for alcohol withdrawal?
Reducing regime of chlordiazepoxide Vitamin B co-strong and thiamine Water soluble vitamin K