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Alternative names Return to top
Ischemic hepatitis; Shock liverDefinition Return to top
Hepatic ischemia is a deficiency of blood or oxygen supply to the liver that causes injury to liver cells.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Low blood pressure resulting from any condition -- including heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms, dehydration, severe bleeding, and infection-- can lead to hepatic ischemia.
Symptoms Return to top
If the low blood pressure continues for an extended period, the patient may feel weak and lightheaded. However, the period of low blood pressure may be brief and produce no symptoms at the time. The damage to the liver cells is generally without symptoms as well.
Signs and tests Return to top
Blood levels of liver enzymes such as AST and ALT typically rise 1-3 days after the episode of low blood pressure. Another enzyme in the blood, LDH, is also usually quite elevated.
Treatment Return to top
Treatment depends on the cause of the low blood pressure, which must be addressed to keep the liver's blood supply stable.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Patients generally recover if the underlying illness can be treated. Death from liver failure as a result of hepatic ischemia is very rare.
Complications Return to top
Liver failure is a possible but rare complication that can lead to death.
Calling your health care provider Return to top
See your health care provider urgently if you have persistent weakness or signs of shock or dehydration.
Prevention Return to top
Prompt treatment of underlying causes of low blood pressure may prevent hepatic ischemia.
Update Date: 1/2/2003 Updated by: Jenifer K. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |