Liver disease hepatic blood flow

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a serious complication of cirrhotic ascites, arising most frequently in those with advanced liver disease. Its development leads to a further reduction in the effective arterial blood volume, and it has a mortality rate equivalent to that of a variceal bleed [202], Since hepatic blood flow and func-... 

However, in severe hepatic disease, not only is hepatic blood flow reduced but the degree of liver damage may influence intrinsic clearance to the extent that it also affects total drug clearance. Consequently, patients with hepatic disease are at particular risk of developing adverse effects to high extraction ratio drugs. 

McLean A, du Souich P, Gibaldi M. Noninvasive kinetic approach to the estimation of total hepatic blood flow and shunting in chronic liver disease — a hypothesis. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1979 25 161-6. 

Chronic renal disease may also affect metabolism, not necessarily because of impaired metabolism in the kidney, but because of an indirect effect of renal failure on liver metabolism. For example, in animals with renal failure it was observed that there was a decrease in hepatic cytochromes P-450 content, and consequently zoxazolamine paralysis time and ketamine narcosis time were prolonged. Cardiac failure may also affect metabolism by altering hepatic blood flow. However even after heart attack without hypotension or cardiac failure, metabolism may be affected. For example, the plasma clearance of lidocaine is reduced in this situation. Other diseases such as those which affect hormone levels hyper- or hypo-thyroidism, lack of or excess growth hormone, and diabetes can alter the metabolism of foreign compounds. 

The rates and routes of metabolism can vary with age and the lower rates and reduced routes of metabolism usually seen in the yoimg and the old can make them more susceptible to drug action. Differences in hormonal levels, in particular, can lead to differences in metabolism between sexes. Dietary and environmental factors such as the presence of alcohol and cigarette smoke can affect metabolism, as can certain disease conditions, e.g., liver disorders, diabetes. Such conditions can lead to decreased enzyme activity, altered hepatic blood flow, and changes in plasma protein levels which, in turn, can affect circulating active drug levels. 

Lockwood, A. H., Yap, E. W. H. and Wong, W. H. Cerebral ammonia metabolism in patients with severe liver disease and minimal hepatic encephalopathy. /. Cereb. Blood Flow Metab. 11 337-341,1991. 

Some chemical exposures may be hepatic enzyme inducers/inhibitors, altering the effects of drugs like warfarin. Some foods such as mono-amines, will cause reactions in patients given MAOIs grapefruit juice may interact with terfenadine and some other drugs. New diseases may cause problems heart failure causing reduced liver blood flow can reduce the metabolism of drugs like warfarin. 

Figure 7.6 Structure of remifentanil and its major metabolite formed by ester hydrolysis. contrast, alfentanil has an intermediate hepatic extraction (0.3-0.5) and alfentanil clearance will be sensitive to changes in both liver blood flow and reduced enzyme capacity in patients with liver disease. Although the kidneys play a minor role in the elimination of most opioids, renal disease can influence their pharmacokinetic profile, secondary to alterations in plasma proteins and intra- and extravascular volumes. Neither the pharmacokinetics nor the pharmacodynamics of remifentanil is significantly altered in patients with liver or renal disease.

Some drugs are metabolized so readily that even marked reduction in liver function does not significantly prolong their action. However, cardiac disease, by limiting blood flow to the liver, may impair disposition of those drugs whose metabolism is flow-limited (Table 4-7). These drugs are so readily metabolized by the liver that hepatic clearance is essentially equal to liver blood flow. Pulmonary disease may also affect drug metabolism, as indicated by the impaired... 

Portal hypertension most commonly occurs as a consequence of chronic liver disease. Portal hypertension Is caused by Increased blood flow within the portal venous system and increased resistance to portal flow within the liver. Splanchnic blood flow is increased in patients with cirrhosis due to low arteriolar resistance that is mediated by increased circulating vasodilators and decreased vascular sensitivity to vasoconstrictors. Intrahepatic vascular resistance is increased in cirrhosis due to fixed fibrosis within the spaces of Disse and hepatic veins as well as reversible vasoconstriction of hepatic sinusoids and venules. Among the consequences of portal hypertension are ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and the development of portosystemic collaterals—especially gastric or esophageal varices. Varices can rupture, leading to massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. 

Fulminant liver failure results from massive necrosis of liver tissue. Diminution of mental function results, and this often leads to coma. The body undergoes a buildup of toxic products, alteration of its acid balance, and a decrease in cerebral blood flow. Impaired blood coagulation and intestinal bleeding occur as well. Other malfunctions and diseases of the liver include viral infections and alcoholic hepatitis. In 1999, of the 14,707 individuals on a waiting list for transplants, 4,498 received transplants and 1,709 died while waiting. As of February 2002, 18,434 people awaited liver transplants. 

Occasionally toxic compounds can directly damage the hepatic sinusoids and capillaries. One such toxic compound is monocrotaline, a naturally occurring pyrrolozidine alkaloid, found in certain plants (Heliotropium, Senecio, and Crotolaria species). Monocrotaline (Fig. 7.7) is metabolized to a reactive metabolite, which is directly cytotoxic to the sinusoidal and endothelial cells, causing damage and occlusion of the lumen. The blood flow in the liver is therefore reduced and ischemic damage to the hepatocytes ensues. Centrilobular necrosis results, and the venous return to the liver is blocked. Hence, this is known as veno-occlusive disease and results in extensive alteration in hepatic vasculature and function. Chronic exposure causes cirrhosis. 

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