Liver Disease in Patients on Total Parenteral Nutrition

Clin Liver Dis. 2017 Nov;21(4):687-695. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2017.06.008. Epub 2017 Aug 19.

Abstract

Parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease (PNALD) spectrum ranges from liver enzyme abnormalities to steatosis to fibrosis, and, eventually, cirrhosis from total parenteral nutrition (TPN). The pathophysiology is postulated to be multifactorial. Diagnosis in adults is primarily by exclusion, eliminating other causes of chronic liver disease or cirrhosis, and other factors seen in critically ill or postoperative patients on TPN. Principal treatment is avoiding TPN. If this is not feasible, research supports fish oil-based lipid emulsions in TPN formulations to reduce risk and progression of PNALD. With liver and intestinal failure, liver and intestine transplant is an option.

Keywords: Cholestasis of sepsis; Combined intestinal and liver failure; PNALD; TPN.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Fat Emulsions, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Fatty Liver / etiology
  • Fatty Liver / prevention & control
  • Fish Oils / therapeutic use
  • Hepatic Insufficiency / etiology
  • Hepatic Insufficiency / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Intestines / transplantation
  • Liver Cirrhosis / etiology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / prevention & control
  • Liver Diseases / etiology*
  • Liver Diseases / prevention & control
  • Liver Diseases / surgery
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Parenteral Nutrition, Total / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Fat Emulsions, Intravenous
  • Fish Oils