Cirrhosis

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Cirrhosis is a "liver disease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules."[1]

Complications

Ascites

For more information, see: Ascites.

Hepatic encephalopathy

For more information, see: Hepatic encephalopathy.


Prognosis

MELD Score

The MELD Score can help predict mortality. An online calculator is available.

In interpeting the MELD Score in hospitalized patients, the 3 month mortality is:[2]

  • 40 or more - 100% mortality
  • 30-39 - 83% mortality
  • 20-29 - 76% mortality
  • 10-19 - 27% mortality
  • <10 - 4% mortality

The MELD has also been studied in patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).[3]

References

  1. Anonymous. Liver cirrhosis. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  2. Kamath PS, Wiesner RH, Malinchoc M, et al (2001). "A model to predict survival in patients with end-stage liver disease". Hepatology 33 (2): 464–70. DOI:10.1053/jhep.2001.22172. PMID 11172350. Research Blogging.
  3. Malinchoc M, Kamath PS, Gordon FD, Peine CJ, Rank J, ter Borg PC (2000). "A model to predict poor survival in patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts". Hepatology 31 (4): 864–71. DOI:10.1053/he.2000.5852. PMID 10733541. Research Blogging.