Hepatopulmonary syndrome is associated with the presence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with decompensated cirrhosis

Systemic treatment in patients with Child-Pugh B liver dysfunction and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of death among patients with liver cirrhosis. The rise of immuno-oncology has revolutionized treatment for advanced HCC. However, most pivotal randomized controlled trials have excluded patients with moderate liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh-Turcotte B), despite the high incidence of liver disease in patients with HCC at the time of diagnosis. Overall survival in patients with HCC and moderate liver dysfunction treated with sorafenib has been found to be only approximately 3-5 months, underlining the need for improved treatment algorithms for this increasingly important subgroup of patients. In this review, we summarize available data on the treatment of patients with HCC and moderate liver dysfunction. Opportunities, as well as clinical challenges, are discussed in detail, highlighting potential changes to the therapeutic landscape.

Prevalence and determinants of hepatopulmonary syndrome in decompensated chronic liver disease

BACKGROUND

One of the severe complications of liver disease is hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS). There is paucity in literature regarding the various factors associated with the development of HPS. This study was conducted to analyze the prevalence and determinants of HPS among patients with decompensated chronic liver disease (CLD).

METHODS

This study was a cross-sectional-observational study conducted in a tertiary care center. Decompensated CLD patients admitted for pre-liver transplant workup were included in the study. Demographic data, clinical findings, and biochemical and hematologic parameters were collected. Pulse oximetry, arterial blood gas analysis, bubble contrast echocardiogram, diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and spirometry were done to get the needed parameters. All data were entered into a Microsoft Excel sheet and analyzed using the statistical software SPSS for Windows, version 22.0.

RESULTS

Among 64 subjects, 58 were men (90.6%). Mean age was 54.5 years. HPS was present in 26 (40.6%) patients. Platypnea and orthodeoxia were present more often in HPS patients. DLCO was significantly impaired among patients with HPS. Portopulmonary hypertension was seen in 8 (12.5%) subjects with no difference between HPS and non-HPS patients. Subjects with HPS had more severe liver disease. A model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)-Na score > 19 was associated with HPS (sensitivity 73.08%, specificity 65.79%, PPV 59.4%, and NPV 78.1%). Multivariate analysis (binary logistic regression) revealed that a higher MELD-Na score, hepatic encephalopathy, and impaired DLCO were independently associated with HPS.

CONCLUSIONS

HPS is associated with more severe liver disease (as per Child-Turcotte-Pugh [CTP] stage and MELD-Na score). There was no relation between HPS and causes of CLD. Higher MELD-Na score, hepatic encephalopathy, impaired DLCO, clubbing, and spider naevi were independently associated with HPS.

Pulmonary manifestations of chronic liver disease: a comprehensive review

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) and porto-pulmonary hypertension (PoPH) represent relatively common pulmonary vascular complications of advanced liver disease. Despite distinct differences in their pathogenetic background, both clinical states are characterized by impaired arterial oxygenation and limited functional status, and are associated with increased pre-transplantation mortality. Accumulation of ascitic fluid in the pleural cavity, known as hepatic hydrothorax (HH), is another frequent manifestation of decompensated cirrhosis, which may cause severe respiratory dysfunction, depending on the volume of the effusion, the rapidity of its development and its resistance to therapeutic measures. Orthotopic liver transplantation constitutes the only effective treatment able to resolve the pulmonary complications of liver disease. A prioritization policy for liver transplantation has evolved over the past years regarding advanced stages of HPS, yielding favorable outcomes regarding post-transplantation survival and HPS resolution. In contrast, severe PoPH is associated with poor post-transplantation survival. Hence, liver transplantation is recommended only for patients with PoPH and an acceptable reduction in pulmonary pressure values, after receiving PoPH-targeted vasodilating therapy. This review focuses on basic pathogenetic and diagnostic principles and discusses the current therapeutic approaches regarding HPS, PoPH, and HH.

Review article: Update on current and emergent data on hepatopulmonary syndrome

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a frequent pulmonary complication of end-stage liver disease, characterized by impaired arterial oxygenation induced by intrapulmonary vascular dilatation. Its prevalence ranges from 4% to 47% in patients with cirrhosis due to the different diagnostic criteria applied among different studies. Nitric oxide overproduction and angiogenesis seem to be the hallmarks of a complicated pathogenetic mechanism, leading to intrapulmonary shunting and ventilation-perfusion mismatch. A classification of HPS according to the severity of hypoxemia has been suggested. Contrast-enhanced echocardiography represents the gold standard method for the detection of intrapulmonary vascular dilatations which is required, in combination with an elevated alveolar arterial gradient to set the diagnosis. The only effective treatment which can modify the syndrome’s natural history is liver transplantation. Although it is usually asymptomatic, HPS imparts a high risk of pretransplantation mortality, independently of the severity of liver disease, while there is variable data concerning survival rates after liver transplantation. The potential of myocardial involvement in the setting of HPS has also gained increasing interest in recent research. The aim of this review is to critically approach the existing literature of HPS and emphasize unclear points that remain to be unraveled by future research.

Clinical Impact of Intrapulmonary Vascular Dilatation in Candidates for Liver Transplant

BACKGROUND

Intrapulmonary vascular dilatations (IPVD) frequently are detected in patients with liver disease by the delayed appearance of microbubbles at contrast-enhanced echocardiography. IPVD with an elevated alveolar-arterial (A-a) gradient define hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS); however, the importance of IPVD in the absence of abnormal gas exchange is unknown. We aimed to determine the clinical impact of IPVD in patients with liver disease.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study within the Pulmonary Vascular Complications of Liver Disease 2 Study, a multicenter, prospective cohort study of patients being evaluated for liver transplant. We excluded patients with obstructive or restrictive lung disease, HPS, or intracardiac shunting. We compared patients with and those without IPVD.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients with IPVD and 81 patients without IPVD were included. Patients with IPVD were more likely to have autoimmune hepatitis and less likely to have cryptogenic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Patients with IPVD had higher Child-Pugh scores (6 [interquartile range (IQR), 5-7] vs 5 [IQR, 4-7]; P = .04), possibly higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores (14.5 [IQR, 11.6-15.8] vs 12.2 [IQR, 9.4-15.5]; P = .06), higher PaO₂ levels (97.9 [IQR, 92.0-103.0] vs 89.0 [IQR, 82.0-96.9] mm Hg; P < .001), and lower A-a gradients (9.9 [IQR, 6.2-13.5] vs 14.9 [IQR, 9.0-21.8] mm Hg; P < .001). Symptoms and quality of life were similar between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Autoimmune hepatitis and increased liver disease severity were associated with the presence of IPVD, which was characterized by higher PaO₂ levels. Future studies to better characterize IPVD pathogenesis and the relationship of IPVD to HPS are warranted.