Complications of liver cirrhosis

Chronische Lebererkrankungen fuhren zu einer Schadigung des Leberparenchyms, die uber das Stadium der Fibrose gehen und bis zum Endstadium der Zirrhose fuhren kann. Die Leberzirrhose ist das gemeinsame Endstadium verschiedener chronischer Lebererkrankungen. Im fortgeschrittenen Stadium sind auch andere Organe wie z.B. Herz, Lunge oder das Immunsystem beteiligt. In diesem Artikel werden die wichtigsten Organkomplikationen der Leberzirrhose und ihre Therapie beschrieben. Abstract Liver cirrhosis is a chronic disease, progressing from a compensated and asymptomatic state to decompensated cirrhosis with the occurrence of multiple organ complications. This progression is accompanied by a significant increase of morbidity and mortality. Main complications include clinical manifestations of portal hypertension (ascites and varices) as well as consequences of liver insufficiency as hepatic encephalopathy. Besides, many other organ systems can be affected, as liver cirrhosis is today more and more seen as a multisystemic disease. Unfortunately, most therapy options of these complications are purely symptomatic, and the only curative treatment of advanced chronic liver disease is liver transplantation.