Encefalopatia hepática: relatório da 1ª reunião monotemática da Sociedade Brasileira de Hepatologia / Hepatic encephalopathy: report 1st monothematic meeting of the Brazilian Society

A encefalopatia hepática (EH) é um distúrbio funcional do sistema nervoso central (SNC) associado à insufi ciência hepática, de fisiopatologia multifatorial e complexa. Devido aos avanços no conhecimento sobre o manejo da EH na cirrose e na insuficiência hepática aguda (IHA), a diretoria da Sociedade Brasileira de Hepatologia (SBH) promoveu uma reunião monotemática acerca da fi siopatologia, diagnóstico e tratamento da EH, abordando aspectos controversos relacionados ao tema. Com a utilização de sistemática da medicina baseada em evidências, foram abordados o manejo da EH e da hipertensão intracraniana na IHA, o manejo da EH episódica na cirrose, as controvérsias no manejo da EH e a abordagem da EH mínima. O objetivo desta revisão é resumir os principais tópicos discutidos na reunião monotemática e apresentar recomendações sobre o manejo da síndrome votadas pelo painel de expertos da SBH.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a functional disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) associated with liver failure, either end-stage chronic liver disease or fulminant hepatic failure. Its pathogenesis remains complex and poorly understood. In view of recent advances in the management of HE, the Brazilian Society of Hepatology endorsed a monothematic meetingregarding HE in order to gather experts in the to discuss related data and to draw evidence-based recommendations concerning: management of HE and intracranial hypertension in FHF, treatment of episodic HE in cirrhosis, controversies in the management of EH including difficult to treat cases and diagnostic and treatment challenges for minimal HE. The purpose of this review is to summarize the lectures and recommendations made by the panel of experts of the Brazilian Society of Hepatology.

[Hepatopulmonary syndrome in liver transplantation candidates]. / Prevalência da síndrome hepatopulmonar em candidatos a transplante hepático.

BACKGROUND: Hepatopulmonary syndrome is an important clinical problem associated with chronic liver disease. Liver transplantation can result in complete resolution of the arterial hypoxemia associated with this syndrome, even in its most severe presentation. AIM: To determine the prevalence of hepatopulmonary syndrome in adult liver transplant candidates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four consecutives adult patients (> or = 18 years) with severe liver disease waiting for liver transplant were screened for arterial hypoxemia (PaO2 < 70 mm Hg) while they were seated, at rest, and breathing room air. Patients with arterial hypoxemia underwent contrast-enhanced two-dimensional echocardiography and pulmonary function testing. Hypoxemia (PaO2 < 70 mm Hg) was present in 7 of 54 patients (12.9%), although only 1 of them complained of dyspnea. The Child's classification of the patients were: A = 1, B = 4, and C = 1. All seven hypoxemic patients had positive contrast-enhanced two-dimensional echocardiography, consistent with hepatopulmonary syndrome. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hepatopulmonary syndrome in adult liver transplant candidates is elevated. The screening for hepatopulmonary syndrome should be part of the routine evaluation of liver transplant candidates even in the absence of pulmonary symptoms.

Prevelência da síndrome hepatopulmonar em candidatos a transplante hepático / Hepatopulmonary syndrome in liver transplantation candidates

Hepatopulmonary syndrome is an important clinical problem associated with chronic liver disease. Liver transplantation can result in complete resolution of the arterial hypoxemia associated with this syndrome, even in its most severe presentation. AIM: To determine the prevalence of hepatopulmonary syndrome in adult liver transplant candidates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-four consecutives adult patients (> or = 18 years) with severe liver disease waiting for liver transplant were screened for arterial hypoxemia (PaO2 < 70 mm Hg) while they were seated, at rest, and breathing room air. Patients with arterial hypoxemia underwent contrast-enhanced two-dimensional echocardiography and pulmonary function testing. Hypoxemia (PaO2 < 70 mm Hg) was present in 7 of 54 patients (12.9%), although only 1 of them complained of dyspnea. The Child's classification of the patients were: A = 1, B = 4, and C = 1. All seven hypoxemic patients had positive contrast-enhanced two-dimensional echocardiography, consistent with hepatopulmonary syndrome. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hepatopulmonary syndrome in adult liver transplant candidates is elevated. The screening for hepatopulmonary syndrome should be part of the routine evaluation of liver transplant candidates even in the absence of pulmonary symptoms