Exam 1: Cirrhosis Flashcards

1
Q

What is a detectable and pathological collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity?

A

Ascites

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2
Q

Ascites most common complication of what?

A

Cirrhosis

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3
Q

Common Causes of ascites?

A

Chronic liver dz, portal HTN, hypo albuminuria, cardiac, TB, lymphoma

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4
Q

First indication of cirrhosis on physical exam?

A

Flank dullness

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5
Q

Symptomatic clues for ascites

A

Chronic liver disease - Palmar erythema, spider nevi, jaundice

Portal HTN – splenomegaly and large collateral veins

Cardiac – engorged jugular veins

Lymph Nodes – TB or Lymphoma

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6
Q

What is involved with the work up for ascites?

A
LABS: CBC, CMP, LFTS, Urea
Abdominal US
Dx Paracentesis
Ascitic Fluid Analysis
Calculate SAAG
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7
Q

How many grades of ascites?

A

3

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8
Q

Grade 1 ascites detectable only by what?

A

Ultrasound

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9
Q

Grade 2 ascites in abdomen looks like?

A

Moderate symmetric enlargement of abdomen

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10
Q

Grade 3 ascites looks like what in abdomen? What additional thing does it have?

A

Marked abdominal enlargement. Transmitted thrill.

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11
Q

DX for ascites?

A

Paracentesis

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12
Q

What does SAAG stand for in ascites?

A

Serum albumin ascites gradient

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13
Q

How is SAAG calculated?

A

Serum albumin - ascites albumin

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14
Q

SAAG >1.1 result indicates what? What does it suggest?

A

> 1.1 indicates portal HTN. Suggests non-peritoneal cause of ascites.

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15
Q

Tx for Grade 1 ascites?

A

Salt restriction (dont need to know numbers)

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16
Q

Tx for Grade 2 ascites?

A

Salt restriction + diuretics (K+ sparring Spironolacton)

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17
Q

When would you consider fluid restriction in ascites?

A

ONLY considered in those with dilutional hyponatremia
Na < 125

Normal = 135-145

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18
Q

What type of diuretics to use for ascites?

A

Aldosterone-antagonist (ex: Spironolactone)

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19
Q

Why are aldosterone antagonists preferred over loops?

A

Renal sodium retention in pots with cirrhosis is d/t increased Prox and diet tubular Na reabsorption and not decrease in filtered Na

Also these pt have increased serum aldosterone d/t decreased intravascular volume and decreased renal perfusion—> RAAS
Decreased excretion d/t hepatic impairment —> decreased metabolism

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20
Q

What to add if hyperkalemic in ascites?

A

Furosemide

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21
Q

When to d/c Furosemide in ascites?

A

Na <120, renal failure, encephalopathy, severe muscle cramps

Severe hypoK < 3

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22
Q

Goal of weight loss if + edema in ascites?

A

1kg/d max

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23
Q

Goal of weight loss if no edema in ascites?

A

0.5kg/d max

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24
Q

Tx for Grade 3 ascites?

A

Large volume paracentesis + salt restrict + diuretics

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25
Q

Volume to drain from paracentesis in ascites?

A

5L

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26
Q

What to add when doing paracentesis in ascites to prevent circulatory dysfunction?

A

Albumin 6-8g/L

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27
Q

Tx is Grade 3 ascites and having to do paracentesis 3+ per month and not a liver transplant candidate?

A

TIPS

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28
Q

What does TIPS do in ascites?

A

Shunt between high pressure portal vein to low pressure hepatic vein

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29
Q

When is TIPS Contraindicated

A

If already Hepatic Encephalopathic, will accumulate more ammonia

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30
Q

What is considered portal vein HTN?

A

Pressure > 10-12mmHg

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31
Q

What should you consider for tx if HRS with ascites

A

IV albumin

With octreotide and midodrine

32
Q

What is Brad’s favorite ice cream at JP Licks?

A

Chocolate chip cookie dough

33
Q

What K+ to stop Lasix/Furosemide in ascites?

A

If K<3

34
Q

Why is Spironolatcone given to ascites patients?

A

They have higher serum aldosterone and impaired aldosterone excretion

35
Q

What K+ to stop Spironolactone in ascites?

A

If K>6

36
Q

What do to with diuretics if hepatic encephalopathy occurs? Why?

A

Stop diuretics! Hypovolemia makes it worse.

36
Q

Some common complications of Ascites?

A
Umbilical hernia
Hydro Thorax—Pleural effusion R>L
SBP from fluid
Hepatic Renal syndrome
Hepatic encephalopathy
37
Q

What infx has 50% risk with ascites?

A

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

38
Q

2 MC bacteria in Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis?

A
  1. Gram - E Coli

2. Gram + Strep

39
Q

Range of symptoms in Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis?

A

ASx to septic

40
Q

ANC of ascitic fluid in Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis?

A

ANC >250

41
Q

What is ANC is <250 in Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis?

A

Might be early SBP

42
Q

TX of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis?

A

IV Ceftriaxone 1g q12h 5-10d (5 days)
(third gen cephalosporin)

Alternates: Augmenting (Amox/clav) and FQs, but most on FQs anyway for ppx

43
Q

Repeat paracentesis in Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis until when?

A

ANC <250 and sterile cultures

44
Q

What fails in Hepatorenal Syndrome?

A

Renal failure in advanced liver disease

45
Q

Cause of renal failure in Hepatorenal Syndrome?

A

No discernable cause

46
Q

What do you need to r/o before diagnosing HRS?

A

Hypovolemia
Shock
Parenchyma renal dz - if proteinuria or micro-hematuria
Nephrotoxins

47
Q

Hepatorenal Syndrome (HRS) 1 timeframe?

A

Over 2 weeks.

47
Q

What are the criteria for diagnosing HRS in cirrhosis? (HINT: 6)

A
  1. Cirrhosis with ascites
  2. SCr > 1.5mg/dL
  3. Absence of shock
  4. Absence of hypovolemia (no sustained improvement of renal fx following at least 2 days of diuretic withdrawal and volume expansion with albumin at 1g/kg/day)
  5. NO current or recent tx with nephrotoxic drugs
  6. Absence of parenchymal renal dz (no proteinuria >0.5g/day or microhematuria >50rbc, and normal renal US)
48
Q

HRS 1 has 100% increase in what?

A

Cr

49
Q

HRS 2 compared to HRS 1?

A

Stable and less progressive impairment

50
Q

What to make sure about nephrotoxic drugs in Hepatorenal Syndrome?

A

No current or recent

51
Q

How to tx Hepatorenal Syndrome?

A

Stop diuretics, vasopressin analogues, renal replacement therapy (dialysis), Liver transplant

52
Q

When should you stop spironolactone in HRS treatment?

A

If K > 6, can cause hyperK arrhythmia

53
Q

Ammonia build up in brain d/t which disease?

A

Hepatic Encephalopathy

54
Q

Hepatic Encephalopathy is a ________ presentation of liver dz

A

Neuropsychiatric

55
Q

What percent of cirrhosis patients have Hepatic Encephalopathy?

A

70%

56
Q

Signs of Hepatic Encephalopathy? (changes, impairments)

A

Personality changes, intellectual impairments, depressed level of consciousness

57
Q

Patho genesis of HE (HINT: which cells of brain involved)

A

Astrocytes (form BBB), are altered in liver failure, and may produce brain edema, ICP and possibly herniation

57
Q

How are enterocytes involved in progression of HE?

A

They convert GLUTAMINE —> GLUTAMATE + AMMONIA

58
Q

Precipitating factors of HE (HINT: refer to whole lecture)

A

+Constipation: need to clean out ammonia producing gut flora
+Infections: produce septic encephalopathy and can mimic HE, or inc N wastes
+GIB: protein in blood—>increase in N wastes—> increase in ammonia
+shunts: decreased liver detox
+Renal failure: decreased clearance of ammonia, urea and other N wastes
+Meds: Many rx act upon CNS (Benzos, antidepressants/psychotics)
+Diuretcs: decreased K levels and alkalosis —> conversion of NH4+ to NH3)

58
Q

Chemistry lesson: What is NH3 and what is NH4+?

A

Ammonia = NH3

Ammonium = NH4+

59
Q

HypoKalemia leads to acidosis or alkalosis. Why is this important?

A

HypoK can lead to alkalosis which will facilitate conversion of ammonium to ammonia

60
Q

What to rule out in Hepatic Encephalopathy? How?

A

CT to rule out head bleed

EEG to r/o seizures

61
Q

Most important dx in Hepatic Encephalopathy?

A

Ammonia level!

62
Q

Goal of Hepatic Encephalopathy treatment?

A

Lower nitrogen in GI tract

64
Q

Purgative does what in Hepatic Encephalopathy?

A

Poop out nitrogen before absorbed

66
Q

How does Lactulose work in Hepatic Encephalopathy?

A

Works in colon to convert ammonia to ammonium which is poorly absorbed

67
Q

Dosing for lactulose, and what happens if dosed too heavily

A

Dose 20-60mg 3x daily titrate to achieve 2-4 soft stools/day w/o diarrhea, but can also go through NGT or enema in hospital

Warn pt not to overdose as can cause hypovolemia and can worsening encephalopathy

68
Q

What 3 abx indicated for Hepatic Encephalopathy?

A

Neomycin
Flagyl
ORAL vanco
Rifaximin

69
Q

Neomycin, Flagyl, and PO Vanco for Hepatic Encephalopathy?

A

Decrease ammonia-generating bacteria

71
Q

Which abx is second line agent after failure of lactulose?

What is a risk of this abx

A

Neomycin
Is an aminoglycoside which can cause renal failure, thus further stasis of ammonia, fluid/electrolyte imbalances and worsening HE

72
Q

Which abx at 400mg TID is as effective as lactulose?

A

Rifaxamin

73
Q

2 other tx options in Hepatic Encephalopathy?

A

Probiotics and Fermented fibers

75
Q

How do probiotics work for HE?

A

Reduces intestinal ammonia production by enterocyte glutiminase and reduce bacterial translocation, modulate proinflammatory and modulate gut permeability

Form an acidic state (drives ammonia to ammonium)

Works as laxative