Value of contrast echocardiography for the diagnosis of hepatopulmonary syndrome. |
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Authors: | María J Rollán Ana C Mu?oz Teresa Pérez José L Bratos |
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Affiliation: | Cardiac Ultrasound Laboratory, Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Hospital Universitario del Río Hortega, Avda. Santa Teresa 9, 47010 Valladolid, Spain. mariajrollan@yahoo.es |
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Abstract: | The hepatopulmonary syndrome must be suspected in patients with end-stage liver disease and refractory hypoxemia. We report a case of a 49-year-old woman with hypoxemia and cirrhosis referred to the cardiac ultrasound laboratory in the evaluation of liver transplantation. Contrast-enhanced echocardiography with intravenous injection of agitated saline solution was crucial to obtain the definitive diagnosis. This imaging modality has proven to be a valuable tool in detecting intrapulmonary right-to-left shunt. The present case emphasizes the usefulness of contrast echocardiography in the diagnosis of a noncardiac disease with important prognosis implications. |
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Keywords: | Contrast-enhanced echocardiography Hepatopulmonary syndrome |
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