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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Complications of cirrhosis can include:

  • High blood pressure in the liver (portal hypertension). Cirrhosis slows the normal flow of blood through the liver, increasing pressure in the vein that brings blood from the intestines and spleen to the liver.
  • Swelling in the legs and abdomen. Portal hypertension can cause fluid to accumulate in the legs (edema) and in the abdomen (ascites). Edema and ascites also may result from the inability of the liver to make certain blood proteins.
  • Infections. If you have cirrhosis, your body may have difficulty fighting infections. Ascites can lead to bacterial peritonitis, a serious infection.
  • Bleeding. Portal hypertension can cause blood to be redirected to smaller veins. Strained by the extra load, these smaller veins can burst, causing serious bleeding. High blood pressure also may enlarge veins and lead to life-threatening bleeding in the esophagus (esophageal varices) or the stomach (gastric varices).
  • Malnutrition. Cirrhosis may make it more difficult for your body to process nutrients, leading to weakness and weight loss.
  • High levels of toxins in the blood (hepatic encephalopathy). A liver damaged by cirrhosis isn't able to clear toxins from the blood as well as a healthy liver can. Toxins in the blood can cause mental confusion and difficulty concentrating. With time, hepatic encephalopathy can progress to unresponsiveness or coma.
  • Jaundice. Jaundice occurs when the diseased liver doesn't remove enough bilirubin, a blood waste product, from your blood. Jaundice causes yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, and darkening of urine.
  • Increased risk of liver cancer.
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References
  1. Sanchez W, et al. Liver cirrhosis. The American College of Gastroenterology. http://patients.gi.org/topics/liver-cirrhosis/. Accessed Dec. 3, 2012.
  2. 2. Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2013:5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-08373-7..00002-9&isbn=978-0-323-08373-7&about=true&uniqId=343863096-23.Accessed Nov. 27, 2012.
  3. Cirrhosis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.3.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cirrhosis/index.htm. Accessed Nov. 27, 2012.
  4. Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&about=true&uniqId=229935664-2192. Accessed Dec. 3, 2012.
  5. AskMayoExpert. What are the clinical manifestations of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  6. Starr PS, et al. Cirrhosis: Diagnosis, management and prevention. American Family Physician. 2011;84:1353.
  7. AskMayoExpert. What are the complications and comorbid conditions associated with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  8. Jafri SM, et al. Care of the cirrhotic patient. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2012;26:979.
  9. AskMayoExpert. When should patients with cirrhosis be screened for esophageal varices? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2010.
  10. AskMayoExpert. What is the standard follow-up for patients receiving therapy for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  11. AskMayoExpert. What is the initial therapy recommended for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  12. AskMayoExpert. Will asymptomatic patients who receive a diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) have symptoms at a later time? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  13. AskMayoExpert. What is the expected prognosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) following treatment? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  14. Your liver. Your life. American Liver Foundation. http://www.yourliver.org/Liver-Wellness-Presentation.pdf. Accessed Dec. 3, 2012.
  15. Liver transplant. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/livertransplant. Accessed Dec. 28, 2012.
  16. Verma S et al. Complementary and alternative medicine in hepatology: review of the evidence of efficacy. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2007; 5: 408.
  17. Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-2/0/1494/0.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2013.
DS00373 Jan. 30, 2013

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