The Why? Series
Why is ascites always treated with a combination of furosemide and spironolactone? Why is the AST usually higher than ALT in alcoholic hepatitis? The Why? Series aims to answer your burning questions about the "dogma" of liver disease, using a combination of basic physiology, scientific evidence, and clinical experiential knowledge.
Series Team
Fellow Lead
Faculty Editor
The Why? SeriesWhy do we use the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score?: Part 1
The Model for End-stage Liver Disease (or MELD) score is used to determine patient priority for liver transplantation. But have you ever wondered why? Let us review the history and the literature to better understand why this score is so meaningful!
Alyson KaplanThe Why? SeriesWhy do we use ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in cholestatic liver disease?
Ursodeoxycholic acid (or UDCA, Ursodiol) is a very commonly-used medication in the hepatologist’s arsenal. But have you ever wondered what it is? Why does it work? I know I have.
Let’s try and answer some of those questions for you today!
Hersh ShroffThe Why? SeriesThe rise and fall of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase
Why, after an episode of prolonged biliary obstruction, or after severe forms of acute liver injury, does the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) rise in a delayed fashion? And why do the ALP and total bilirubin often take a while to normalize? We’ve all heard (or said) this before. Today, let’s get to the bottom of why this happens!
Hersh ShroffThe Why? SeriesWhy do we use albumin in patients with cirrhosis?
This one is easy peasy. Liver disease impairs albumin, so let’s give albumin replacement, right? Not so fast. There is A LOT more to albumin than meets the eye. Let’s dive in.
Hersh ShroffThe Why? SeriesWhy do we use the combination of furosemide and spironolactone in the treatment of cirrhotic ascites?
How many times have you prescribed diuretic therapy for a cirrhotic patient with ascites? It’s muscle memory at this point: furosemide 40mg, spironolactone 100mg. Done.…
Hersh ShroffSeries Team
Fellow Lead
Faculty Editor
Ideas?
Do you have suggestions for topics within this series? Are you a fellow interested in contributing? Please feel free to reach out via Twitter to the fellow lead or to Liver Fellow Network directly. You can also e-mail us at liverfellownetwork@gmail.com.