Korean J Gastroenterol.  2023 Nov;82(5):213-223. 10.4166/kjg.2023.123.

Pulmonary Complications in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

• Han SK
• Baik SK
• Kim MY

• KMID: 2548491
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2023.123

Abstract

Portal hypertension is a clinical syndrome defined by an increased portal venous pressure. The most frequent cause of portal hypertension is liver cirrhosis, and many of the complications of cirrhosis, such as ascites and gastroesophageal variceal bleeding, are related to portal hypertension. Portal hypertension is a pathological condition caused by the accumulation of blood flow in the portal system. This blood flow retention reduces the effective circulation volume. To compensate for these changes, neurotransmitter hormone changes and metabolic abnormalities occur, which cause complications in organs other than the liver. A hepatic hydrothorax is fluid accumulation in the pleural space resulting from increased portal pressure. Hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension are the pulmonary complications in cirrhosis by deforming the vascular structure. Symptoms, such as dyspnea and hypoxia, affect the survival and the quality of life of patients. These lung complications are usually underestimated in the management of cirrhosis. This review briefly introduces the type of lung complications of cirrhosis.

Keyword

Liver cirrhosis; Portal hypertension; Hydrothorax; Hepatopulmonary syndrome; Pulmonary hypertension

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