Cirrosis hepática

Abstract

Cirrhosis is a diffuse process characterised by the substitution of the normal liver architecture by abnormally organised tissue nodules separated by fibrous septa. In our setting, the most common causes of cirrhosis are excessive alcohol consumption and the hepatitis C virus, with a significant increase in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The disease is tremendously heterogeneous and dynamic and can be differentiated into various stages, each of which presents certain unique clinical, histological, haemodynamic and prognostic characteristics. The development of portal hypertension constitutes the key pathophysiological event in the disease's progression, given that portal hypertension is responsible for most of the disease's complications. The diagnostic confirmation and evaluation of the stage of liver disease is based on a combination of different complementary examinations. The type of treatment and its objectives differ depending on the stage of the disease. Advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of cirrhosis have identified new therapeutic targets, which will presumably lead to significant changes in current therapeutic strategies.