Week 11- Liver Failure Flashcards
What is the main pathophysiological characteristic of jaundice
High levels of bilirubin
What is the normal level of plasma BR?
17 micro ml
What happens when BR exceeds 30 micro ml?
Yellow sclera and mucous membranes
What happens when BR exceeds 34 micro ml?
Yellow skin
What is cholestasis?
Slow bile flow/ cessation of bile flow
Does jaundice always indicate cholestasis?
No
What are pre hepatic causes of jaundice?
Haemolysis, ineffective erythropoiesis, massive transfusion etc reducing bile production
What are intra hepatic causes of jaundice?
Problems with conjugation of bilirubin, decreased uptake, decreased secretion, reduced outflow (cholestasis), liver failure
What are post hepatic causes of jaundice?
Gallstones, tumors etc reducing extra hepatic outflow
What is liver disease from pathophysiological point of view?
Hepatocyte death rate > hepatocyte regeneration
How does cell death occur in liver failure?
Can apoptosis or necrosis (or a combination)
How serious is liver failure?
Very serious, can lead to multiple organ failure and coma
What are the 2 types of acute liver failure? Define them
Fulminant hepatic failure= rapid development in less than 8 weeks of severe acute liver injury, impaired synthetic function, encephalopathy, previously normal liver
Sub fulminant= same but develops in less than 6 monthds
What is chronic liver failure?
Over years, cirrhosis
What are the 2 common causes of liver failure and where are they most common?
Toxins (western world): Paracetamol, bacillus cereus
Inflammation (eastern world): Hep E (India) and chronic Hep B exacerbations (Hong Kong)
What are some other uncommon causes of acute liver failure?
Disease of pregnancy
Idiosyncratic drug reactions
Vascular disease
Metabolic disease
What are causes of chronic liver failure?
Inflammation Alcohol abuse Side effects of drugs Cardiovascular disease Inherited disease
What is the consequence during hepatocyte failure of lack of production of clotting factors?
Coagulopathy and bleeding
What is the consequence during hepatocyte failure of lack of protein synthesis?
Ascites
What is the consequence during hepatocyte failure of lack of detoxification?
Encephalopathy and cerebral oedema
What is the consequence during hepatocyte failure of lack of glycogen storage?
Hypoglycaemia