Hepatopulmonary syndrome.
The hepatopulmonary syndrome is an increasingly important vascular complication of cirrhosis where microvascular dilatation impairs arterial oxygenation in the setting of liver disease. This syndrome is identified in as many as 20% of patients evaluated for liver transplantation and results in increased mortality. No clearly effective medical therapies are available, and liver transplantation is the only established treatment. Pathophysiologic insights obtained from experimental models may lead to the development of novel and effective medical treatments.
Arguedas
Miguel R
MR
Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
Fallon
Michael B
MB
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D020065:Hepatopulmonary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000503:physiopathology; D019168:Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic; D011379:Prognosis; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation