Aggravation of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome after Sildenafil Treatment in a Patient with Coexisting Portopulmonary Hypertension.
- Author:
Seungmin CHUNG
1
;
Kyungho LEE
;
Sung A CHANG
;
Duk Kyung KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Hepatopulmonary syndrome; Pulmonary arterial hypertension; Sildenafil
- MeSH: Anoxia; Dihydroergotamine; Dilatation; Echocardiography; Fibrosis; Hepatopulmonary Syndrome*; Humans; Hypertension*; Hypertension, Portal; Oxygen; Vasoconstriction; Sildenafil Citrate
- From:Korean Circulation Journal 2015;45(1):77-80
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) and portopulmonary hypertension (PPHTN) are complications of portal hypertension and cirrhosis. Their pathophysiological mechanisms clearly differ. HPS is characterized by a defect in arterial oxygenation induced by pulmonary vascular dilatation. In contrast, PPHTN is predominantly due to excessive pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling, but is rarely associated with hypoxia. We report a case of a patient who had both HPS and PPHTN at the time of presentation. HPS was aggravated after sildenafil administration for the treatment of PPHTN. We demonstrated increased amount of intrapulmonay shunt after sildenafil challenge by using agitated saline contrast transthoracic echocardiography.
