CARDIOPULMONARY COMPLICATIONS WITH AND WITHOUT HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Abstract

The liver is one of the largest and most complex organs in the body. It performs multiple functions, including the production of proteins and enzymes, detoxification of toxic substances, metabolic functions, and synthesis of cholesterol and clotting factors of the blood. Cirrhosis is a gradually developing, chronic disease of the liver which always involves the organ as a whole. It is the irreversible consequence and final stage of various chronicliver diseases of different etiology or the result of long-term exposure to various noxae. The extent of the morphological changes depends on the cause and stage of cirrhosis. Accordingly, there is a wide spectrum of morphological findings and clinical symptoms. The variations of this disease range from symptom-free conditions, non-characteristic complaints and different laboratory findings through to life-threatening complications.