Respiratory Complication in Liver Disease

Abstract

Cirrhosis, the twelfth leading cause of death, accounts for 1.1% of all deaths in the United States. Although there are multiple pulmonary complications associated with liver disease, the most important complications that cause significant morbidity and mortality are hepatopulmonary syndrome, hepatic hydrothorax, and portopulmonary hypertension. Patients with cirrhosis who complain of dyspnea should be evaluated for these complications. This article reviews these complications.

Keywords: Chronic liver disease; Hepatic hydrothorax; Hepatopulmonary syndrome; Liver transplantation; Portopulmonary hypertension; Spontaneous bacterial pleuritis.