Abstract
Portal hypertension in cirrhosis leads to significant vascular and hemodynamic changes throughout the body. These vascular changes vary by organ system and may include vasoconstriction, vasodilation and vascular remodeling. The hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a common vascular complication of cirrhosis that increases mortality and exemplifies the altered vascular responses in cirrhosis. In HPS, vascular dilatation and neovascularization in the alveolar microcirculation leads to progressive dyspnea and hypoxemia in susceptible individuals. Although the pathophysiologic mechanisms for the syndrome are not fully defined, they are characterized by overexpression of vasodilatory and angiogenic mediators. Medical therapies are not well established for HPS and definitive therapy requires liver transplantation.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Cirrhosis |
Subtitle of host publication | A Practical Guide to Management |
Publisher | Wiley-Blackwell |
Pages | 189-198 |
Number of pages | 10 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781118412640 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781118274828 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 30 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Angiogenesis
- Contrast echocardiography
- Hepatopulmonary syndrome
- Hypoxemia
- Liver transplantation
- Portal hypertension
- Vasodilatation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine