Health Encyclopedia

Hepatic ischemia

Definition

Hepatic ischemia is a condition where not enough blood or oxygen gets to the liver. This shortage causes injury to liver cells.

Alternative Names

Ischemic hepatitis; Shock liver

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Low blood pressure resulting from any condition can lead to hepatic ischemia. Such conditions may include:

Heart failure
Abnormal heart rhythms
Dehydration
Severe bleeding
Infection

Symptoms

If low blood pressure continues for a long time, the patient may feel weak and lightheaded. However, the period of low blood pressure may be brief and produce no symptoms at the time. The damage to the liver cells is generally without symptoms as well.

Signs and tests

Blood levels of liver enzymes such as AST and ALT typically rise 1-3 days after the episode of low blood pressure. Levels of another enzyme in the blood, LDH, are also usually quite high.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of the low blood pressure, which must be addressed to keep the liver's blood supply stable.

Expectations (prognosis)

Patients generally recover if the underlying illness can be treated. Death from liver failure as a result of hepatic ischemia is very rare.

Complications

Liver failure is a possible but rare complication that can lead to death.

Calling your health care provider

See your health care provider urgently if you have persistent weakness or signs of shock or dehydration.

Prevention

Prompt treatment of underlying causes of low blood pressure may prevent hepatic ischemia.

Review Date:10/13/2006
Reviewed By:Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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