Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
23 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
|
Present almost exclusively in liver tissue and is more specific than AST for liver disease. If ALT is > 1000 U/L, then welcome to club ALT > 1000 U/L. This is only caused by acute viral hepatitis, drug toxicity, shock liver, and autoimmune hepatitis.
|
|
|
Albumin
|
Major plasma protein, synthesized exclusively by the liver. When decreased in the setting of liver disease, it is indicative of severe disease and liver synthetic dysfunction. It is also decreased in nephrotic sydrome, protein-losing enteropathy, and malnutrition.
|
|
|
Alkaline phosphatase (AP)
|
Present in liver, bone, intestine, kidney, and placenta. 80% of circulating AP is in liver and bone. If gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is also elevated, it is due to liver disease. It connotes cholestasis or infiltration of the liver parenchyma.
|
|
|
AST/ALT ration
|
If greater than 2, it is sensitive but not specific for alcoholic hepatitis.
|
|
|
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
|
Present in liver tissue, but also in the heart, skeletal muscle, kidney, brain, pancreas, lungs, leukocytes, and erythrocytes. Not specific for liver disease.
|
|
|
Asterixis
|
A tremor of the wrist when the wrist is extended (dorsiflexion), sometimes said to resemble a bird flapping its wings.
|
|
|
Bilirubin
|
A relative index of the efficiency of hepatic capacity for transport and metabolism. Jaundice becomes apparent when serum bilirubin exceeds 3 mg/dL.
|
|
|
Dubin-Johnson syndrome
|
An autosomal recessive disorder that causes an increase of conjugated bilirubin without elevation of liver enzymes (ALT, AST). This condition is associated with a defect in the ability of hepatocytes to secrete conjugated bilirubin into the bile. It is usually asymptomatic but may be diagnosed in early infancy based on laboratory tests.
|
|
|
Crigler-Najjar syndrome
|
A rare disorder affecting the metabolism of bilirubin, a chemical formed from the breakdown of blood. The disorder results in an inherited form of non-hemolytic jaundice, often leading to brain damage in infants.
|
|
|
Dupuytren's contracture
|
A fixed flexion contracture of the hand where the fingers bend towards the palm and cannot be fully extended (straightened).
|
|
|
Excoriations
|
A punctate or linear abrasion produced by mechanical means, usually involving only the epidermis but not uncommonly reaching the papillary dermis. A symptom of liver damage.
|
|
|
Extrahepatic biliary obstruction
|
A possible cause of conjugated hyperbilirubinemia
|
|
|
Fetor hepaticus
|
The accumulation of dimethylsulphide in the breath. It is due to severe porto-hepatic shunting from severe hepatocellular disease.
|
|
|
Gilbert's sydrome
|
The most common hereditary cause of increased bilirubin and is found in up to 5% of the population. It has an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. The main symptom is otherwise harmless jaundice, which does not require treatment, caused by elevated levels of unconjugated bilirubin in the bloodstream (hyperbilirubinemia).
The cause of this hyperbilirubinemia is the reduced activity of the enzyme glucuronyltransferase, which conjugates bilirubin and some other lipophilic molecules. Conjugation renders the bilirubin water-soluble, after which it is excreted in bile into the duodenum. |
|
|
Hemolytic anemia
|
Causes increased bilirubin production (rarely > 4 mg/dL0
|
|
|
Scleral icterus
|
Jaundice; yellow pigment to sclera.
|
|
|
International normalized ration
|
A standardized value of prothrombin time. It is an early and sensitive marker of liver synthetic dysfunction. Elevated in acute liver injury, chronic liver disease, and cholestatic liver disease (malabsorption of vitamin K).
|
|
|
Palmar erythema
|
A reddening of the palms at the thenar and hypothenar eminences.
|
|
|
Petechiae
|
A small (1-2mm) red or purple spot on the body, caused by a minor hemorrhage (broken capillary blood vessels).
|
|
|
Rotor's syndrome
|
The main symptom is a non-itching jaundice. There is a rise in bilirubin in the patient's serum, mainly of the conjugated type.
|
|
|
Spider angiomata
|
A type of telangiectasis[2] found slightly beneath the skin surface, often containing a central red spot and reddish extensions which radiate outwards like a spider's web. It is estrogen related.
|
|
|
Splenomegaly
|
Symptom of liver disease
|
|
|
Vitamin K deficiency
|
Can cause INR to become elevated. May be due to extensive antibiotic use or malnutrition.
|
