Pulmonary Complications of Portal Hypertension

Clin Liver Dis. 2019 Nov;23(4):683-711. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2019.06.003. Epub 2019 Aug 9.

Abstract

The most common pulmonary complications of chronic liver disease are hepatic hydrothorax, hepatopulmonary syndrome, and portopulmonary hypertension. Hepatic hydrothorax is a transudative pleural effusion in a patient with cirrhosis and no evidence of underlying cardiopulmonary disease. Hepatic hydrothorax develops owing to the movement of ascitic fluid into the pleural space. Hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension are pathologically linked by the presence of portal hypertension; however, their pathophysiologic mechanisms are significantly different. Hepatopulmonary syndrome is characterized by low pulmonary vascular resistance secondary to intrapulmonary vascular dilatations and hypoxemia; portopulmonary hypertension features elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and constriction/obstruction within the pulmonary vasculature.

Keywords: Cirrhosis; Hepatic hydrothorax; Hepatopulmonary syndrome; Liver transplant; Portal hypertension; Portopulmonary hypertension.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Catheters, Indwelling
  • Chest Tubes
  • Endothelin Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Hepatopulmonary Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Hepatopulmonary Syndrome / etiology
  • Hepatopulmonary Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Hepatopulmonary Syndrome / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Portal / complications
  • Hypertension, Portal / physiopathology
  • Hypertension, Portal / therapy*
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / diagnosis
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / physiopathology
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / therapy*
  • Hypoxia
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Pleural Cavity
  • Pleural Effusion / diagnosis
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology
  • Pleural Effusion / physiopathology
  • Pleural Effusion / therapy*
  • Pleurodesis
  • Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic*
  • Prostaglandins / therapeutic use
  • Thoracentesis
  • Vascular Resistance
  • Vasoconstriction

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
  • Prostaglandins