Treatment of Chronic Liver Failure in Decompensated Cirrhosis with Hepatic Hydrothorax
This protocol addresses the management of chronic liver failure arising in the specific setting of decompensated cirrhosis complicated by hepatic hydrothorax — a pleural transudate — where cardiac, pulmonary, and primary pleural disease have been excluded.
Clinical scenario
Hepatic hydrothorax describes the accumulation of transudate in the pleural space in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, in the absence of cardiac, pulmonary, or pleural disease. This presentation represents a distinct and challenging complication of chronic liver failure requiring a targeted approach.
Treatment approach
In selected patients with recurrent symptomatic hepatic hydrothorax, a procedural intervention involving the hepatic vasculature may be considered. The full structured regimen — including patient selection criteria and the complete clinical algorithm — is available via the protocol below.
References
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.03.024
Hepatic hydrotorax describes the accumulation of transudate in the pleural space of patients with decompensated cirrhosis in the absence of cardiac, pulmonary or pleural disease.
In selected patients, TIPS insertion for recurrent symptomatic hepatic hydrothorax is recommended (II-2;1).
View source ↗