Pregnancy exacerbating hepatopulmonary syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Hepatopulmonary syndrome is an uncommon complication of liver cirrhosis. The natural history of this condition and its optimal management during pregnancy are not yet known.


METHODS
We present the case of a 35-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis who developed severe dyspnea in the 25th week of gestation and was diagnosed as suffering from hepatopulmonary syndrome. She was managed conservatively until 35 weeks of gestation, when she was delivered by cesarean.


CONCLUSIONS
The natural history, in this case, indicates that pregnancy may induce hepatopulmonary syndrome in an otherwise asymptomatic cirrhotic patient. Oxygen supplementation was the cornerstone of treatment and resulted in a favorable outcome.
Sammour
Rami N
RN
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bnai-Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. rsammour2002@hotmail.com
Zuckerman
Eli
E
Tov
Naveh
N
Gonen
Ron
R
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D020065:Hepatopulmonary Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*