Hepatic Disease Flashcards
(92 cards)
Where is the liver?
located in the R upper quadrant
What is the largest internal organ?
liver
Where does the liver get the dual blood supply from?
➢ ~ 20 % Hepatic artery - oxygenated blood
➢ 80% Portal vein – nutrients
What is the common hepatic duct?
- left and right hepatic ducts forms the common hepatic duct
- drains bile from the liver
- transports waste from the liver and aids in digestion by releasing bile
What is the common bile duct?
- carries bile from the liver and the gallbladder through the pancreas and into the duodenum
- part of the biliary duct system; formed where the ducts from the liver and gallbladder are joined
What are the roles of the hepatic veins?
drain venous blood from liver to inferior vena cava and on to the right
What is the role of the hepatic artery?
provides oxygen and nutrition to liver tissues
What is the role of the hepatic portal vein?
delivers substances absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestine, spleen and pancreas) for metabolic conversion and/or removal in the liver
What is the function of the hepatocytes?
➢ Synthesizes proteins
- Immunoglobulins
- Albumin
- coagulation factors (most come from the liver)
- carrier proteins
- growth factors
- hormones
➢ Produces bile for digestion (via bilirubin)
➢ Produces cholesterol for fat storage
➢ Regulates nutrients
➢ Prepares drugs for excretion
➢ Responsible for drug conjugation and metabolism
bilirubin transported to liver by being bound to ___________
albumin
(unconjugated form)
bilirubin is from breakdown of…
RBCs
Liver conjugates bilirubin by unbinding the protein binding it to glucose; this conjugated form is in _________
bile
Bilirubin levels escalate from:
➢ Blood disorders - hemolytic anemia, sickle cell anemia, inadequate transfusions
➢ Chronic liver disease
➢ Blockage of bile ducts in liver or gallbladder
➢ Viral hepatitis, EtOH induced hepatitis; drug induced hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc.
What does increased bilirubin cause/what are the signs of bilirubin increase?
jaundice, fatigue, cutaneous itch, discolored urine, discolored feces
What type of metabolism is done in the liver?
- Bilirubin conjugation
- Phase I – cytochrome P450; can produce toxic metabolites
- Phase II – conjugation (glucuronidation, sulfation, inactivation by glutathione, etc.)
What are the types of damage the liver can have?
➢ Hepatocellular (inflammation and injury)
➢ Cholestatic (obstructive)
➢ Mixed
➢ Cirrhosis (fibrotic, end-stage); acute or chronic
➢ Neoplastic
What are the types of liver disease?
➢ Viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D, E, non- A-E)
➢ Immune and Autoimmune (primary biliary cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis, GVHD)
➢ Genetic (α1-trypsin deficiency, Wilson disease)
➢ Non-alcoholic fatty liver (obesity, insulin resistance, lipodystrophy)
➢ Cholestatic syndromes
➢ Systemic disease with liver involvement (sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, TB, glycogen storage disease)
➢ Drug-induced liver disease
➢ Hepatocellular carcinoma
➢ Masses, cysts, abscess
What are the signs of liver damage?
➢ Jaundice
➢ Ascites
➢ Edema
➢ GI bleed
➢ Dark urine
➢ Light stool
➢ Mental confusion
➢ Xanthelasma
➢ Spider angiomas
➢ Palmar erythema
➢ Asterixis
➢ Hyperpigmentation
What are the symptoms of liver damage?
➢ Appetite loss
➢ Bloating
➢ Nausea
➢ RUQ pain
➢ Fatigue
➢ Mental confusion
What is xanthelasma?
fatty deposits on the skin (eyes)
What are unique findings associated with liver disease?
- Xanthelasma
- Spider angiomas
- Asterixis
What is asterixis?
- a.k.a. flapping tremor
- classic sign in hepatic encephalopathy (HE)
- jerky movements when hands are extended at wrists
What is hepatic encephalopathy (HE)?
- a syndrome of altered neurologic function related to dysregulation of metabolism seen almost exclusively in patients with severe liver disease
- can be a chronic problem in patients with cirrhosis
- acute exacerbations are rarely fatel
What kind of blood tests might a patient be referring to when they say they had a “blood test”?
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Multiple others available for specific patient evaluations
— lipid panel
— VDRL
— PSA (prostate specific antigen)
— SARS Ag, SARS Ab, HIV, Hep B, etc.
— bleeding times
— et cetera