A Brief Review on Hepatopulmonary Syndrome

Abstract

Hepatopulmonary Syndrome is defined as decreased saturation of arterial oxygen due to dilatation of pulmonary vasculature in the presence of portal hypertension or advanced liver disease. In the year 1977, hepatopulmonary syndrome was first proposed based on the clinical findings and autopsy. In the patients with chronic liver disease, pulmonary manifestations like pulmonary vascular dilatation were observed in the autopsies.In the liver disease setting, dyspnea is usually present in the patient. The onset of dyspnea is gradual and aggravates by exertion. Most of the patients are asymptomatic during the early stages. This review article mainly focuses on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis along with the treatment and management. A multidisplinary approach is required with the involvement of hepatologists, pulmonologists, primary clinicians, addiction medicine specialist, transplant surgeons and clinical pharmacists in the management of HPS.