A severe (type II) hepatopulmonary syndrome in a patient with idiopathic portal hypertension and treatment with paroxetine.

The hepatopulmonary syndrome has been defined as chronic liver disease accompanied by abnormal pulmonary gas exchange, which might result in arterial deoxygenation, and widespread intrapulmonary vasodilation. Although it has been pointed out that hepatopulmonary syndrome occurs in liver cirrhosis, there are a few studies in the literature reporting noncirrhotic portal hypertension as a cause of hepatopulmonary syndrome. Currently, liver transplantation is the only effective therapy for such patients.