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Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy
Published on: June 18, 2020
Regional lung function in patients with hepatic cirrhosis
The Journal of Clinical Investigation
|November 1, 1971
Summary
Patients with hepatic cirrhosis show increased closing volume, leading to gas trapping and impaired lung function. This suggests airway closure due to liver disease significantly affects gas exchange.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Hepatology
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Hepatic cirrhosis can lead to respiratory complications.
- Understanding gas exchange abnormalities is crucial for managing liver disease patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure closing volume and assess gas trapping in patients with hepatic cirrhosis.
- To investigate the relationship between airway closure, gas trapping, and ventilation-perfusion ratios in liver cirrhosis.
Main Methods:
- Closing volume was measured using Xenon-133 ((133)Xe) in seated patients.
- Gas trapping was directly assessed at residual volume and functional residual capacity.
Main Results:
- All 10 patients exhibited increased closing volumes.
- Eight patients had closing volumes exceeding functional residual capacity, indicating airway closure and gas trapping.
- Measurements confirmed increased gas trapping and suggested very low ventilation-perfusion ratios in dependent lung zones.
Conclusions:
- Gas trapping in dependent lung zones is a significant cause of impaired gas exchange in hepatic cirrhosis.
- Premature airway closure may result from mechanical compression by dilated blood vessels or pulmonary edema.
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