Cirrhosis - Later Clinical Manifestations

Cirrhosis - most common causes
Cirrhosis - patho
Infiltration + accumulation of fatty deposits - fibrotic changes - destroy hepatocytes = widespread scar formation - decreased liver function - obstructed blood flow - increased portal pressure
Cirrhosis - S/s early
Anorexia
Generalized fatigue
Abdominal pain
GI symptoms - N+V, diarrhea
Cirrhosis - S/s - disease progression
Weight loss
Bleeding
Jaundice
Ascites
Esophageal varices
Portal HTN
Telengiectasis (spider angiomas)
Cirrhosis - Jaundice (Icterus) - causes & S/s
Obstructed billary ducts
Liver cannot breakdown old RBCs
Cirrhosis - Ascites - patho
increased hydrostatic pressure from portal HTN → blood proteins leak into peritoneum; liver unable to synthesize protein → low blood albumin; fluid shifts out of vascular
system into peritoneum → third-spacing occurs; liver cannot metabolize aldosterone → kidneys
retain Na & water; increased vascular volume → further leakage of fluid into abdominal cavity
Cirrhosis - Ascites - S/s
Weight gain
Abdominal (umbilical) hernias
Abdominal distention
Cirrhosis - Ascites - TX
Cirrhosis - Portal HTN - patho
increased pressure from fibrotic changes → back-up of blood in GIsystem → splenomegaly; veins in esophagus, stomach, intestines, abdominal wall & rectum
dilate → esophageal varices, prominent abdominal veins, hemorrhoids, ascites.
Cirrhosis - Esophageal varices
Patho - thinner, less elastic esophageal veins unable to compensate for increasedpressure → pressure increases, varices enlarge, begin to bleed
Cirrhosis - Esophageal varices and portal HTN - TX
Esophageal varices - IV Vasopressin vs IV Octreotide
Cirrhosis - Hepatic Encephalopathy - patho
Elevated ammonia & toxins in blood
Cirrhosis - Hepatic Encephalopathy - TX
Lactulose
Promote excretion of ammonia ; tx of constipation
Improvement in mental status
Expect 2-3 soft stools/day
Watch for diarrhea
Coma - NG, rectal
Cirrhosis DX
Liver Functions
Hepatitis A (HAV) - causes
Transmitted by the fecal-oral route
1. Non-life threatening, usually self-limiting
HAV - Prevention
Hepatitis B (HBV) - causes
Transmitted through blood & serum
HBV - Prevention
Hepatitis C (HCV) - causes
Transmitted blood to blood
HCV - Prevention and labs
Education of high-risk groups
Liver biopsy