Search

In patients with liver cirrhosis, there were many abnormalities in laboratory tests. Serum GOT, GPT and LDH were elevated due to the liver cell necrosis. The value of ICG tests reflected the decrease of effective hepatic blood flow and the increase of intrahepatic shunt flow. White blood cell counts and the number of platelet were decreased due to the hypersplenism. Serum albumin and cholineesterase levels were decreased more remarkably in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis than in patients with viral liver cirrhosis. Raised GOT and GPT levels were lower in aged patients than in young patients. Serial laboratory tests were important for the management of patients with liver cirrhosis.

In patients with liver cirrhosis, there were various symptoms in decompensated state, but not in compensated state. Most of symptoms were due to liver cell dysfunction and portal hypertension. Jaundice, ascites, edema, bleeding tendency and endocrinological symptoms were due to liver cell dysfunction. Hepatic encephalopathy, esophageal varices and splenomegaly were related to portal hypertension. Vascular spiders and palmar erythema were found in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis more frequently than in patients with viral liver cirrhosis. Jaundice was a sign of poor prognosis. There were no difference in clinical symptoms between aged patients and young patients. Careful observation of the symptoms is important to care the patients with liver cirrhosis.