S5E13 Liver Disease

In this episode of Airwayve, join Manuela and Tariq as they explore the anesthetic considerations for patients with liver disease. We start with a refresher on liver physiology and its vital roles in metabolism, coagulation, and drug clearance, before delving into the pathophysiology of cirrhosis and how it affects perioperative management. From there, we discuss preoperative risk assessment, intraoperative goals, and postoperative care, highlighting key considerations for fluid management, anesthetic drug selection, and hemodynamic stability.

To put these concepts into context, we then walk through a clinical case and outline how to apply this framework to a patient with advanced liver disease coming to the OR.

Whether you’re preparing for clerkship or want to build a stronger foundation in perioperative medicine, this episode provides a clear and practical approach to managing patients with liver dysfunction.

Credits

Writer: Manuela Morgan
Editors: Alexander Xiang, Jenny Xinye Hu
Resident Editor: Ahmed Akhtar
Staff Reviewer: Dr. Saeda Nair