Gastro-Liver disease Flashcards
(52 cards)
What are the components of LFT
Albumin, Total Bilirubin
ALT (Alanine aminotransferase (SGPT))
AST(Aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT))
ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase)
GGT (Gamma
Glutamyl Transpeptidase)
Coagulation profile (PT/INR)
Which component of LFT will determine the liver function?
- PT/INR
- Bilirubin
- Albumin
Which component of LFT will determine hepatocellular damage?
- ALT
- AST
Which component of LFT will determine intra or extra hepatic biliary disease?
- ALP
- GGT
- Bilirubin
What can AST/ALT ratio tell about the etiology of liver injury
(a) > 2: Alcoholic hepatitis, space occupying lesion
(b) 1-2: cirrhosis, drugs
(c) < 1: viral hepatitis
A raise in GGT indicates
alcohol or drugs (anti-epileptic) use
What picture does predominantly raised ALT/AST paint?
Hepatitic picture
What picture does predominantly raised ALP and GGT paints?
Cholestatic picture
(but ddx if isolated raised ALP)
what does a mild raise in ALT and AST signify
Fatty liver, drug induced, chronic hepatitis
How would you investigate a mildly raise AST/ALT?
HBsAg, Anti HBs, Anti HCV, U/S HBS
2nd line: ANA, ASMA, AMA, Globulin, IgG, Ceruloplasmi
How would you investigate a raised ALP and GGT?
U/S HBS then MRCP to look for choledocholithiasis
What presents with isolated hyperbilirubinemia?
Gilbert’s syndrome
What are intrahepatic causes of cholestasis?
- Hepatitis (viral/alcohol)
- Idiopathic adult ductopenia
- Genetic
- Malignancy
- Pregnancy
- Prolonged TPN
- Primary biliary cirrhosis
- Postoperative state
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Sepsis
- Granulomatous disease
- Autoimmune cholangitis
- Infiltrative
What is liver cirrhosis?
*Liver cirrhosis is the result of many
years of repeated damage to the liver
*Leads to formation of scar tissue in
the liver
*This results in hardening of the liver
(cirrhosis) and liver dysfunction
*Cirrhosis is considered to be
irreversible and leads to liver failure,
liver cancer and death
What is liver fibrosis?
Fibrosis or scarring in the liver is a generic wound healing response to chronic
liver disease that occurs regardless of etiology of the underlying disease
Diagnosis of liver fibrosis
- Serum tests eg. FibroTEST but low accuracy
- Fibroscan
- Liver biopsy (gold standard)
- MRI elastography (not widely available
What are the most common etiology of liver cirrhosis in Singapore
- Chronic hepatitis B,
- alcoholic liver disease
- NAFLD
What is the definition of liver cirrhosis?
A late stage of progressive
hepatic fibrosis characterized by distortion of hepatic
architecture and formation of regenerative nodules
How do you diagnose liver cirrhosis?
- liver biopsy is the most accurate but invasive
- Fibroscan most accurate for early diagnosis of subclinical cirrhosis (70-80% accuracy)
- Biochemical (LFT)
- Clinical S/S (ascites, jandice, dark urine, splenomegaly, spider naevi, palmar erythema, hemetemesis/malena stool, encephalopathy, liver Ca)
How to assess severity of liver cirrhosis?
- Compensated vs. decompensated
- Child’s Score – Child’s A(compensated) / B(early decompensated) / C(late decompensated)
- MELD score (for transplant)
Advice to patients with liver cirrhosis
- All cirrhotics should be on regular follow-up with a specialist
- Regular blood tests to assess liver function
- Regular alfafetoprotein (AFP) blood test and liver ultrasound at
least every 6 months to monitor for liver cancer - Maintain a healthy and balanced diet
- Avoid alcohol intake
- Avoid excessive salt intake (low-salt diet)
- All cirrhotics should
undergo gastroscopy for
evaluation for varices - If you have cirrhosis due to
hepatitis B, you should be
treated for hepatitis B to
reduce the amount of virus
in the blood - Avoid drugs and herbal remedies that
may potentially be toxic to the liver - Avoid Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) which can cause kidney problems in patients with advanced
cirrhosis - Do not take more than the
recommended dosages of medications, including Panadol
What is the treatment for hepatic varices?
- Propranolol or Carvedilol to reduce
portal hypertension - Endoscopic banding (ligation) for
treatment of varices
What is the treatment for ascites in liver cirrhosis?
- low salt diet
- Diuretics (spironolactone and frusemide) to
increase clearance of water from the body
—– (if severe) - Abdominal paracentesis
- TIPS shunt
- Liver transplant
Treatment for Hepatic Encephalopathy
- clear bowel regularly to reduce toxins (BO 2-3x/day)
- lactulose to prevent constipation
- fleet enema to clear retained stools
- Rifaximin to kill gut bacteria