DuBrock HM, Krowka MJ

Language: English
References: 5
Page: 476-477
PDF size: 98.91 Kb.

Text Extraction

The study by Mendizabal, et al. in this issue of Annals of Hepatology describes the natural history of isolated intrapulmonary vascular dilatation (IPVD) (with normal oxygenation) in liver transplant candidates and compares the survival of patients with isolated IPVD to patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) and controls without IPVD. In portopulmonary hypertension, IPVD was unexpectedly documented and noted to be associated with worse survival.1 Despite being commonly encountered in liver transplant candidates,2 the natural history and outcomes of IPVD and its relationship to HPS have not been previously described. This study provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of clinical outcomes of IPVD, but still leaves many questions unanswered.

REFERENCES

1. Fussner LA, Iyer VN, Cartin-Ceba R, Lin G, Watt KD, Krowka MJ. Intrapulmonary vascular dilatations are common in portopulmonary hypertension and may be associated with decreased survival. Liver Transpl 2015; 21: 1355-1364.

2. Fallon MB, Krowka MJ, Brown RS, Trotter JF, Zacks S, Roberts KE, Shah VH, et al. Pulmonary Vascular Complications of Liver Disease Study G. Impact of hepatopulmonary syndrome on quality of life and survival in liver transplant candidates. Gastroenterology 2008; 135: 1168-75.

3. Lenci I, Alvior A, Manzia TM, Toti L, Neuberger J, Steeds R. Saline contrast echocardiography in patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome awaiting liver transplantation. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2009; 22: 89-94.

4. Roberts KE, Kawut SM, Krowka MJ, Brown RS, Jr., Trotter JF, Shah V, Peter I, et al. Pulmonary Vascular Complications of Liver Disease Study Group. Genetic risk factors for hepatopulmonary syndrome in patients with advanced liver disease. Gastroenterology 2010; 139: 130-39 e124.

5. Valley MA, Trotter JF, Thomas D, Ginde AA, Lownenstein SR, Honigman B. The relationship between hepatopulmonary syndrome and altitude. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2014; 28: 140-2.