Liver Dysfunction Flashcards
What are secondary effects of portal hypertension?
Splenomegaly
Large collateral veins-esophageal varices, gastric varices
Systemic hypertension
Ascites
Describe portal hypertension
Increased pressure in the portal circulation due to destruction and compression of portal veins and sinuses.
What is hepatic encephalopathy?
Change in neuro and mental fxn resulting from high levels of ammonia in the blood that damaged liver can’t detoxify.
What is ascites?
Accumulation of serous fluid in the peritoneal or abdominal cavity. With portal hypertension proteins shift from the blood vessels via the larger pores of the sinusoids into the lymph spaces. When the lymph system is unable to carry the excess they leak through the liver into the peritoneal cavity. The osmotic pressure pulls additional fluid into the cavity with it.
