| Symptoms
& History
Physical
Findings
Stop
& Think
Lab
and X-Ray
Differential
Diagnosis
The
Disease
Treatment
Conclusions
Quiz
& Evaluation |
|
The
clinical consequences of cirrhosis.
Loss of functional liver
tissue:
-
Decreased serum protein synthesis:
Reduced albumen leads to ascites and peripheral edema.
-
Decreased metabolism of estrogens:
Leads to increased circulating levels of estrogen, causing gynecomastia.
-
Decreased synthesis of Vitamin
K dependent clotting factors: Leads to potentially life threatening
hemorrhages. Intracranial and GI bleeds.
-
Decreased bilirubin metabolism:
Icterus and eventually profound itching.
-
Decreased bile secretion:
Leads to poor fat absorption, fat dependent vitamins, bacterial overgrowth
of intestine and diarrhea.
-
Finally overt liver failure:
Hepatic encephalopathy.
What about that problem of vascular
rearrangement? Back |
|