Arq. Bras. Cardiol. 2019; 113(5): 923-924
Transesophageal Echocardiogram with Contrast in Pulmonary Intravascular Dilation in Hepatosplenic Schistosomiasis
Sandra Nívea dos Reis Saraiva Falcão
DOI: 10.5935/abc.20190234
This Short Editorial is referred by the Research article "Value of Contrast Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Detection of Intrapulmonary Vascular Dilatations in Hepatosplenic Schistosomiasis".
The Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is defined as a defect in arterial oxygenation induced by intrapulmonary vascular dilation (IPVD) associated with liver disease. The vascular component includes diffuse or localized capillary dilation and, less commonly, pulmonary arteriovenous malformations.
A sensitive approach for the early detection of altered arterial oxygenation is the calculation of the alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference (PA-aO2). This difference can be elevated before arterial oxygen pressure becomes abnormal. At sea level, PA-aO2 ≥ 15 mmHg is considered abnormal (it changes to 20 mmHg in individuals over 64 years).
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