title: The hepatopulmonary syndrome.
abstract: The hepatopulmonary syndrome occurs in subjects with chronic liver disease and/or portal hypertension who develop intrapulmonary vasodilation resulting in arterial deoxygenation. Clinical and basic science studies investigating the pathophysiology of HPS are presented. A diagnostic algorithm is provided using contrast echocardiography, the lung perfusion scan, and pulmonary angiography. Medical therapy and experience with liver transplantation are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: UAB Liver Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0007, USA.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Abrams
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Fallon
mesh_terms: D001163:Arteriovenous Anastomosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D020065:Hepatopulmonary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity / Q000502:physiology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology; D014692:Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio / Q000502:physiology