Liver Failure & Cirrhosis Flashcards

1
Q

How many hepatocytes are affected in acute liver failure?

A

it is a sudden overwhelming insult that kills off a large number of liver cells

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2
Q

What usually causes acute liver failure?

A
  1. drugs e.g. paracetamol overdose

2. viruses - Hepatitis A, B, D and E

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3
Q

How does the liver regenerate in acute liver failure?

What is the treatment?

A

the liver cannot regenerate

it requires a super-urgent liver transplant

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4
Q

What are the 5 main causes of chronic liver failure?

A
  1. drugs
  2. infections and viruses (e.g. Hep B and C)
  3. autoimmune disease
  4. alcohol
  5. obesity
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5
Q

What is the background behind how chronic liver failure develops?

A

through repeated episodes of damage and repair through inflammation, regeneration of residual hepatocytes and repair through scar tissue

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6
Q

What happens if chronic liver failure is not treated?

A

Nodules and fibrosis lead to development of cirrhosis

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7
Q

What is significant about the cause of chronic inflammation?

A

The cause of the injury doesn’t go away

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8
Q

What cells tend to be present in chronic inflammation?

Why is this significant?

A

lymphocytes, eosinophils, plasma cells, macrophages, granulomas

looking at the location of inflammatory cells allows you to try and find the underlying cause of inflammation

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9
Q

What is the outcome of chronic inflammation that has progressed?

A

Fibroblast and blood vessel formation

then formation of scar tissue and fibrosis

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10
Q

What is the normal lifespan of liver cells?

How fast can they regenerate?

A

Lifespan is 6 months

They can regenerate very quickly when they need to

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11
Q

What happens when the liver undergoes repair, opposed to regeneration?

A

The original tissue is replaced by scar tissue

The original structure and function is lost

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12
Q

How does increasing damage to liver cells over time affect regeneration?

A

Increasing damage leads to more scarring and less regenerative potential

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13
Q

Why does cirrhosis develop?

A

Cirrhosis is the end stage of chronic liver disease

It develops when the cause of the liver injury persists alongside the body’s attempts to repair it

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14
Q

What happens if cirrhosis is not treated?

A

There will eventually be insufficient regeneration and this results in liver failure

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15
Q

What is the only cure for end stage liver disease?

A

liver transplantation

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16
Q

What is the appearance of a normal liver like?

A

The surface is smooth and shiny

It is red-brown in colour

17
Q

What is significant about the appearance of a cirrhotic liver?

A

There are regenerative nodules of hepatocytes

with intervening fibrous septae

18
Q

What are the 2 main causes of chronic liver disease?

A
  1. if the cause of the disease persists
    e. g. infection, autoimmune, alcohol, metabolic
  2. chronic inflammation
19
Q

What are the 2 processes that must be present in order for cirrhosis to be diagnosed?

A
  1. nodule formation

2. fibrosis (fibrous septae present)

20
Q

How must cirrhosis be diagnosed?

A

liver biopsy

21
Q

What viruses commonly cause cirrhosis?

A

Hepatitis B and C

22
Q

What are common metabolic causes of cirrhosis?

A

iron and copper storage

obesity

23
Q

Why can bile duct obstruction cause cirrhosis?

A

it causes continuing inflammation which continues to damage the liver during repair and regeneration

24
Q

What are the 4 main consequences/problems of cirrhosis?

A
  1. portal hypertension
  2. oedema
  3. risk of infection
  4. carcinogenesis
25
What causes portal hypertension?
In a stiffed scarred liver the portal vein blood bypasses the sinusoids The liver cells cannot perform their function There is increased blood flow from the portal vein that increases the pressure inside the liver
26
What can portal hypertension result in?
bleeding oesophageal varices
27
What causes oedema in cirrhosis?
Inadequate liver cell function leads to fluid build-up Hormonal changes and low albumin influence this
28
Why does cirrhosis increase risk of infection?
due to changes in the immune system
29
Why does cirrhosis lead to carcinogenesis?
Liver cells attempt to regenerate themselves so many times This increases the risk of errors occurring and cancer developing
30
What is ascites?
a consequence of cirrhosis where there is a build up of fluid in the abdomen
31
What causes ascites?
when there is low albumin and high portal pressure there is also a change in hormonal regulation of fluid balance this leads to a transudate of fluid into the peritoneal cavity
32
Why is ascites very serious?
it is a very poor prognostic sign that rapidly reduces life expectancy
33
Why must percutaneous liver biopsies only be performed when absolutely necessary?
liver biopsies can lead to intra-abdominal bleeding and even death
34
After someone has had a liver transplant, what symptoms and signs are present post-op?
1. jaundice 2. pruritus (itching) 3. dark urine 4. pale stools 5. high ALP
35
When looking at biopsies, what is a sign of acute cellular rejection after a transplant?
Inflammatory cells around the portal vein Eosinophils and lymphocytes attacking the endothelium of the portal vein