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Sleep Breath 2004; 8(3): 155-159
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-834486
CASE REPORT

Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

A Case of Ischemic Hepatitis

Georgia Trakada1 , Charis Gogos2 , Maria Tsiamita1 , Dimitris Siagris2 , Panagiotis Goumas3 , Kostas Spiropoulos1
  • 1Laboratory of Sleep, Division of Pulmonology; Departments of University Hospital of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
  • 2Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
  • 3ORL; University Hospital of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
24 September 2004 (online)

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We present a case of an obese young man who developed ischemic hepatitis, severe coagulopathy, acute renal failure, and encephalopathy. Heart failure and hypovolemia were absent. Oxygen arterial saturation was very low, between 77% and 99% during the day, with no history of respiratory failure. A diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea was made clinically and confirmed by performing formal polysomnography. The polysomnographic study showed multiple episodes of apneas and hypopneas with severe oxygen desaturation. The patient was treated with continuous positive airway pressure through a nose mask and clinical manifestations related to profound nocturnal desaturation were ameliorated. He was discharged 32 days after admission with normal results of laboratory tests. This case report is presented to support the hypothesis that hypoxic hepatitis was directly related to severe arterial hypoxemia.

KEYWORDS

Hypoxemia - hepatic failure - renal failure - obstructive sleep apnea

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Georgia TrakadaM.D. 

University Hospital of Patras Medical School

Patras, 26500, Greece

Email: gtrakada@hotmail.com

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