[Pulmonary complications in liver diseases]

Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed. 2014 May;109(4):235-9. doi: 10.1007/s00063-013-0319-y. Epub 2014 Apr 26.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Pulmonary-hepatic vascular disorders are frequent complications in patients with portal hypertension and cirrhosis. Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS), portopulmonary hypertension (POPH), and hepatic hydrothorax are relevant disease entities in these patients. HPS occurs in up to 30 % of patients with cirrhosis and is associated with a more than 2-fold increased mortality. The diagnosis of HPS should be established early by arterial blood gas analysis and contrast-enhanced echocardiography, whereas POPH is diagnosed by the presence of pulmonary arterial hypertension evaluated via right heart catheterization and the presence of portal hypertension. Therapeutic options include initiation of long-term oxygen therapy and liver transplantation in patients with severe HPS. Patients with POPH should receive targeted medical therapies with endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and/or prostanoids. In contrast, β-blockers should be avoided. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding pulmonary-hepatic vascular disorders, with a focus on HPS.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Critical Care / methods*
  • Hepatopulmonary Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Hepatopulmonary Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Hepatopulmonary Syndrome / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Liver / physiopathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications
  • Liver Cirrhosis / physiopathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / therapy
  • Liver Failure / diagnosis
  • Liver Failure / physiopathology
  • Liver Failure / therapy*
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Multiple Organ Failure / diagnosis
  • Multiple Organ Failure / physiopathology
  • Multiple Organ Failure / therapy*