[Anaesthetic management of patients with hyperdynamic circulation in hepatic cirrhosis (author's transl)]

Cirrhosis of the liver is frequently associated with arterial hypoxaemia and a hyperdynamic state of the systemic circulation. The hypoxaemia and the circulatory changes probably have a common aetiology, namely, shynting in the systemic and pulmonary vascular beds. Experiences in two well-documented cases suggest that anaesthetic agents may increase arteriovenous shunting and hypoxaemia in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. A plan for preanaesthetic identification and anaesthetic management in this type of patients is outlined.