ASGE Annual GI Advanced Practice Provider Course (Virtual) - Clinical Case-Based Learning (Day Two) | April 2023-Evaluation of Abnormal Liver Function Tests

Pdf Summary

In this document, Dr. John A. Martin discusses the evaluation of abnormal liver function tests. The main objectives of the evaluation include defining liver tests, categorizing different types of liver tests, understanding the implications of abnormalities in specific liver tests, learning about the disorders associated with liver test abnormalities, and determining the appropriate work-up for patients with abnormal liver tests. The document includes polling questions to test the reader's knowledge on topics such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, γGT and 5’-nucleotidase, and various liver disorders. <br /><br />The document also provides an overview of different liver tests, including aminotransferases (AST and ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (γGT), 5’-nucleotidase, albumin, prothrombin time (PT), and bilirubin. The author explains the nomenclature and categories of these tests, highlighting the distinction between liver injury tests, liver synthetic function tests, liver enzymes, and liver function tests. <br /><br />The document explores patterns of abnormality in liver tests and provides examples of various conditions that can cause abnormalities, such as viral hepatitis, acute biliary obstruction, alcoholic hepatitis, chronic biliary obstruction, and autoimmune hepatitis. The author emphasizes the importance of considering the patient's history, physical examination findings, and clinical presentation in diagnosing the underlying cause of abnormal liver tests. <br /><br />The document concludes by highlighting the need for a thorough work-up, which may involve viral serologies, autoimmune markers, imaging, and liver biopsy, depending on the specific case. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding the nature of each liver assay and how it reflects liver injury or function in interpreting the underlying pathology and determining appropriate management strategies.

Asset Subtitle

John Martin, MD, FASGE

Keywords

abnormal liver function tests

evaluation

liver tests

liver test abnormalities

disorders

work-up

aminotransferases

alkaline phosphatase

gamma-glutamyl transferase

5’-nucleotidase