Cirrhosis

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Revision as of 07:19, 25 January 2008 by imported>Robert Badgett (→‎Complications: Started Esophageal varices section)
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Cirrhosis is a "liver disease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules."[1]

Complications

Ascites

For more information, see: Ascites.


Esophageal varices

Patients with a platelet count of less than 40 and a palpable spleen are more likely to have esophageal varices.[2]

Hepatic encephalopathy

For more information, see: Hepatic encephalopathy.


Hepatorenal syndrome

Octreotide/Midodrine combined therapy can help according to a randomized controlled trial.[3]

Prognosis

MELD Score

For more information, see: MELD Score.

The MELD Score can help predict mortality. An online calculator is available.

References

  1. Anonymous. Liver cirrhosis. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  2. Sharma SK, Aggarwal R (2007). "Prediction of large esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis of the liver using clinical, laboratory and imaging parameters". J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 22 (11): 1909–15. DOI:10.1111/j.1440-1746.2006.04501.x. PMID 17914969. Research Blogging.
  3. Esrailian E, Pantangco ER, Kyulo NL, Hu KQ, Runyon BA (2007). "Octreotide/Midodrine therapy significantly improves renal function and 30-day survival in patients with type 1 hepatorenal syndrome". Dig. Dis. Sci. 52 (3): 742–8. DOI:10.1007/s10620-006-9312-0. PMID 17235705. Research Blogging.