What is hepatopulmonary syndrome?
Hepatopulmonary syndrome is a health condition characterized by reduced blood oxygen and breathing problems, both caused by changes in the vascular system in the lungs. These changes are the result of advanced liver disease. This condition can be managed, but the only effective treatment is liver transplantation. Treatment in patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome may require the services of a hepatologist, a doctor who specializes in the care of liver, along with lung specialists and surgeons. The prognosis is variable depending on the general level of the patient's health. In the lungs of the spread of blood vessels, the gas exchange inhibits. This limits the amount of oxygen in the blood and can lead to spirit when the patient fights for more oxygen.
If the patient is with patients with a famous liver disease represents low blood oxygen and shortness of breath, the doctor may suspect hepatopulmonary syndrome. The echocardiogram of the heart can also be recommended as a diagnostic test to check the heart function and seek symptoms of expansion blood céIn and scanning nuclear medicine using a radioactive contrast agent to highlight blood in the lungs. The outcome of both tests may confirm in the patient hepatopulmonary syndrome.
Immediate treatment of this condition is supplementary oxygen that helps the patient get more oxygen into the blood. This condition can also be aggravated by certain positions of the body, and patients may be advised to change the position to deal with symptoms. Sitting or standing upright can worsen hepatopulmonary syndrome. The aim is to replace the patient's liver. Many patients with this condition are already Candidates for transplantation and the development of hepatopulmonary syndrome may be a sign of pushing the patient on the transplant list.
The presence of other complications in the patient may require hospitalization so that patients can be given a high level of care. For other patients it is possible to go home while waiting for the news for transplantation. Patient mIt can use complementary oxygen comfortably at home and can feel less stressed and nervous in the home environment. When preparing for transplantation, patients will also learn about anti -healing drugs needed to maintain the health of the new liver. Information about surgical subsequent care can also be provided for effective patient preparation.