Clinical features of hepatopulmonary syndrome in cirrhotic patients.

Aim: To evaluate the frequency, clinical and paraclinical features of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) and to determine their predictive values in diagnosis of this syndrome in patients in Iran.

Methods: Fifty four cirrhotic patients underwent contrast enhanced echocardiography to detect intrapulmonary and intracardiac shunts by two cardiologists. Arterial blood oxygen, O(2) gradient (A-a) and orthodoxy were measured by arterial blood gas (ABG) test.