Hepatopulmonary syndrome: A recent review of the literature

Abstract

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a serious vascular complication of liver disease reported to be present in 4-32% of cirrhotic adults and 9-20% of children. HPS diagnosis depends on the presence of a triad of liver disease with intrapulmonary vascular dilation that causes abnormal arterial oxygenation. Pulmonary microvascular dilation and angiogenesis are two central mechanisms in pathogenesis of HPS. No effective medical therapies are currently available and liver transplantation is the only established treatment option.