Hepatopulmonary syndrome

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Diagnosis

These tests can help find if you have hepatopulmonary syndrome:

  • Arterial blood gas. For this test, blood is taken from an artery to measure levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide and the pH balance.
  • Chest imaging. X-rays, CT scanning or echocardiogram imaging with a salt solution given through a vein, called a saline contrast study, can help rule out other heart or lung conditions.
  • Pulse oximetry. In pulse oximetry, a sensor attached to the finger or ear uses light to see how much oxygen is in the blood.

Care at Mayo Clinic

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Treatment

Being given oxygen, called supplemental oxygen therapy, is the main treatment for shortness of breath caused by low oxygen levels in the blood. A liver transplant is the only cure for hepatopulmonary syndrome.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Hepatopulmonary syndrome care at Mayo Clinic

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Symptoms & causesDoctors & departments
Jan. 19, 2024
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  1. Ferri FF. Hepatopulmonary syndrome. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2024. Elsevier; 2024. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 23, 2024.
  2. Lange PA, et al. Hepatopulmonary syndrome in adults: Prevalence, causes, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis. https//www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 13, 2023.
  3. Hepatopulmonary syndrome. National Organization for Rare Disorders. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/hepatopulmonary-syndrome/. Accessed Oct. 13, 2023
  4. Raevens S, et al. Hepatopulmonary syndrome. JHEP Reports. 2022; doi:10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100527.
  5. Ami TR. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Dec. 6, 2023.
  6. Baquir M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Nov. 6, 2023.

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Hepatopulmonary syndrome