A 52-year-old man on ICU has hepatopulmonary syndrome. His PaO2 is 6.5 kPa on room air. What is the underlying pathophysiology?...

Question

A 52-year-old man on ICU has hepatopulmonary syndrome. His PaO2 is 6.5 kPa on room air. What is the underlying pathophysiology?

Accepted Answer

Intrapulmonary vascular dilatation causing functional right-to-left shunting - blood passes through dilated vessels too quickly for adequate gas exchange; diagnosed by contrast echocardiography (agitated saline bubble study); the only definitive treatment is liver transplantation

Answer

Pulmonary fibrosis

Answer

Hepatic hydrothorax

Answer

Portopulmonary hypertension

Answer

Ascites compressing lungs

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Hepatopulmonary Syndrome

A 52-year-old man on ICU has hepatopulmonary syndrome. His PaO2 is 6.5 kPa on room air. What is the underlying pathophysiology?