The Liver-Lung Vascular Connection
Michael J. Krowka
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Transplant Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN, USA
*Correspondence: Michael J. Krowka, Email not available
Abstract
Since the 1950’s and 1960’s it is well known that liver dysfunction can induce two distinct lung vascular disorders. We commonly refer to these disorders as hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) and portopulmonary hypertension (POPH). This concise review is intended to update the clinician on the current understanding and management of HPS and POPH that has evolved over the last 10 years. Each disorder is discussed in 5 parts: 1) diagnostic criteria/screening/clinical presentation; 2) pathophysiology; 3) epidemiology/natural history; 4) medical management; and 5) implications for liver transplant (LT). A summary table is provided to compare these clinically significant pulmonary vascular disorders.
