title: Cirrhotic Multiorgan Syndrome.
abstract: Patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension are at an increased risk of the development of circulatory dysfunction that may potentially result in multiple organ failure. Apart from the liver, this may involve the heart, lungs, kidneys, the immune system, the adrenal glands, and other organ systems. As the disease progresses, the circulation becomes hyperdynamic, and signs of cardiac, pulmonary, and renal dysfunction are observed, in addition to reduced survival. Infections and an altered cardiac function known as cirrhotic cardiomyopathy may be precipitators for the development of other complications such as hepatorenal syndrome. In patients with chronic organ dysfunction, various precipitating events may induce an acute-on-chronic renal failure and acute-on-chronic liver failure that negatively affect the prognosis. Future research on the pathophysiologic mechanisms of the complications and the precipitating factors is essential to understand the basics of the treatment of these challenging conditions. The aim of the present review is to focus on the development and precipitating factors of various organ failures in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
authors.affiliation: Center for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Copenhagen University Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegaard alle 30, 2650, Hvidovre, Denmark. soeren.moeller@regionh.dk.
authors.forename: Søren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Møller
authors.affiliation: Gastro Unit, Medical Division, Faculty of Health Sciences, Copenhagen University Hvidovre Hospital, Kettegaard alle 30, 2650, Hvidovre, Denmark.
authors.forename: Flemming
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bendtsen
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D065290:Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013577:Syndrome
keywords: Cirrhosis; Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy; Hyperdynamic syndrome; Portal hypertension; Pulmonary dysfunction