HEPATOPULMONARY SYNDROME Meaning and
Definition
-
Hepatopulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a medical condition characterized by the triad of liver disease or liver dysfunction, abnormalities in the functioning of the lungs, and dilated blood vessels in the lungs. This syndrome occurs due to vascular abnormalities, specifically intrapulmonary vascular dilation, resulting from liver disease.
In HPS, the liver is unable to effectively filter out toxins from the blood, causing an accumulation of substances that can affect the normal functioning of the lungs. As a result, blood is shunted away from the liver and lungs, leading to abnormal widening of the small blood vessels in the lungs. This dilation disrupts the normal oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange, causing a decrease in arterial oxygen levels and impaired breathing.
The symptoms of HPS vary but commonly include shortness of breath, especially with exertion, fatigue, cyanosis (a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes), and clubbing of the fingers and toes. Diagnosis of HPS involves a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging studies (such as chest X-rays or computed tomography scans), and laboratory tests.
Treatment primarily focuses on addressing the underlying liver disease. In some cases, liver transplantation may be necessary. Additional management includes supplemental oxygen therapy, medications to dilate the blood vessels in the lungs, and supportive measures to improve oxygenation and respiratory function.
Hepatopulmonary Syndrome is a serious medical condition that requires ongoing monitoring and treatment to manage its effects on the liver and lungs.
Common Misspellings for HEPATOPULMONARY SYNDROME
- gepatopulmonary syndrome
- bepatopulmonary syndrome
- nepatopulmonary syndrome
- jepatopulmonary syndrome
- uepatopulmonary syndrome
- yepatopulmonary syndrome
- hwpatopulmonary syndrome
- hspatopulmonary syndrome
- hdpatopulmonary syndrome
- hrpatopulmonary syndrome
- h4patopulmonary syndrome
- h3patopulmonary syndrome
- heoatopulmonary syndrome
- helatopulmonary syndrome
- he-atopulmonary syndrome
- he0atopulmonary syndrome
- hepztopulmonary syndrome
- hepstopulmonary syndrome
- hepwtopulmonary syndrome
- hepqtopulmonary syndrome
Etymology of HEPATOPULMONARY SYNDROME
The word "hepatopulmonary" is derived from three Greek roots:
1. Hepato-: From the Greek word "hepar", meaning liver.
2. Pulmonary-: From the Latin word "pulmo", meaning lung. The Latin term is derived from the Greek word "pneumon" meaning lung.
3. Syndrome: From the Greek word "sundromē", which means "a running together" or "occurrence of symptoms or conditions".
When combined, "hepatopulmonary" describes a condition that involves both the liver and the lungs. The term "hepatopulmonary syndrome" is used to refer to a disorder in which liver dysfunction leads to abnormalities in the functioning of the lungs.
