Hepatopulmonary syndrome
Hepatopulmonary syndrome is the triad of liver disease, arterial hypoxemia and intrapulmonary vascular dilatation. It is important to recognize the syndrome in patients with liver cirrhosis, because it often remains unrecognized in clinical practice. After careful physical examination, chest X-ray and blood gas analysis, diagnosis of hepatopulmonary syndrome is made by contrast echocardiography, perfusion lung scintigraphy and, in doubtful cases, pulmonary angiography. Despite numerous pharmacological studies, no medication has been found suitable for treating this disorder. The most frequently mentioned drugs are inhibitors of nitric oxide, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, antibiotics, vasoconstrictors and iloprost. More randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the benefit of these drugs. Orthotopic liver transplantation is the only potential curative method today.
Key words:
diagnostic techniques and procedures; hepatopulmonary syndrome; hepatopulmonary syndrome, therapy; liver transplantation
OGLASI
