Long-Term Complications: Hepatopulmonary Syndrome

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a disease of gas exchange caused by intrapulmonary shunting secondary to liver disease-associated intrapulmonary vascular dilation [1]. HPS is characterized by the triad of arterial deoxygenation, intrapulmonary vascular dilatation, and liver disease, all of which occur in the absence of a primary cardiopulmonary anomaly. Liver diseases that are commonly involved include cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and portosystemic shunt [2]. HPS is not correlated with cirrhosis severity and can be caused even by asymptomatic cirrhosis [3]. HPS may also develop in noncirrhotic portal hypertension [4].