(SYNOPTIC) Liver Disease & Management Flashcards
What percentage of the liver is comprised of hepatocytes?
60%
How many blood supplies does the liver have?
2
Hepatic artery (from heart) Portal vein (blood from the bowel)
What are the functions of the liver?
(1) Metabolism
(2) Synthesis
(3) Immunological
(4) Storage
(5) Secretion
(6) Homeostasis
What are some examples of substances metabolised in the liver?
- Products of digestion
- Bilirubin
- Steroid hormone
- Insulin
- Aldosterone
- Vitamin D
What is synthesised in the liver?
- Plasma proteins
- Clotting factors
- Cholesterol
- Urea (from amino acids)
What is stored in the liver?
- Fat soluble vitamins
- Glycogen
- Blood reservoir
What is secreted in the liver?
Bile + bile salts
What is the function of the liver in homeostasis?
Glucose regulation
Conversion of glucose to glycogen
What are some potential causes for chronic liver disease?
- alcohol
- NAFLD/ NASH
ø Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease - immune/ autoimmune
- drugs
- malignancy
- HCV/ HBV
ø Hep C + Hep V
What are some potential causes for acute liver disease?
- HAV/ HBV/ HEV ø 3rd trimester of pregnancy - Drugs - TPN - Infection, e.g. malaria - Ischaemia - Alcoholic hepatitis - Acute fatty liver of pregnancy
What increases risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?
- T2DM
- Obesity
- Dyslipidaemia
What may be the first presentation of NAFLD?
Cirrhosis
What is the non-pharmacological management of NAFLD?
- Weight loss
- Healthy diet
- Exercise
- Smoking/ alcohol cessation
- 2-3 cups of black coffee daily
What is the pharmacological management of NAFLD?
- Statins
- Treat HTN/ T2DM
What co-morbidities can make a HepC (HCV) infection worse?
(1) HIV
(2) Underlying cirrhosis
(3) Liver transplant
(4) Lifestyle
What is the process of chronic liver disease development?
(1) Insult
- e.g. toxin/ virus
(2) Hepatitis or steatohepatitis
(3) Reversible
- if cause is stopped, e.g. alcohol cessation
(4) If insult is not removed
(5) Fibrosis
- scarring + thickening of smooth muscle
(6) Cirrhosis
What is the general classification of liver disease?
(1) Compensated
- Asymptomatic due to medication/ sufficient healthy liver tissue for normal function
(2) Decompensated
- Symptomatic
What is a liver function test?
Used to identify patients struggling with liver/ biliary tract disease
What is a downside of liver function tests when checking for liver disease?
Some LFTs reflect liver DAMAGE rather than function
What results from a liver function test are considered a cause for concern?
3 times the upper limit of normal
How should a liver function test be used?
(1) Look for trends
(2) Do not use in isolation
What would a liver function test (LFT) show in acute hepatocellular damage?
HIGH - plasma ALT HIGH - plasma AST HIGH - bilirubin (unconjugated) PROLONGED - prothrombin time NORMAL - albumin
What would a liver function test (LFT) show in chronic hepatocellular damage?
NORMAL - ALT
NORMAL - AST
LOW - albumin
PROLONGED - prothrombin time
What would a liver function test (LFT) show in cholestasis (blockage of bile duct)?
HIGH - plasma ALP
HIGH - bilirubin (conjugated)