Step by Step: Managing the Complications of Cirrhosis

Abstract

Irene Perez,1 Fabian J Bolte,1 William Bigelow,1 Zachary Dickson,2 Neeral L Shah2 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; 2Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USACorrespondence: Neeral L ShahDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Virginia, PO. Box 800708, West Complex – 2nd Floor, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA, Tel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [email protected]: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States. Common causes of chronic liver disease include alcohol, viral hepatitis, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Inflammation is a critical driver in the progression of liver disease to liver fibrosis and ultimately cirrhosis. While the severity of chronic liver disease extends over a continuum, the management is more easily differentiated between compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. In this review, we discuss pathophysiology, clinical features and management of common complications of liver cirrhosis based on literature review and the current clinical practice guidelines of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD).Keywords: cirrhosis, chronic liver disease, end-stage liver disease, decompensated cirrhosis, compensated cirrhosis, hepatorenal syndrome

Keywords

• cirrhosis
• chronic liver disease
• end-stage liver disease
• decompensated cirrhosis
• compensated cirrhosis
• hepatorenal syndrome