Page 248 - fourth year book

HEPATITIS C VIRUS

Abnormal levels may indicate cirrhosis or bile duct blockage, as well as other
conditions.

 INR (international normalized ratio, formally known as PT or
prothrombin time, an indication of blood clotting speed),
 Albumin (albumin is a blood protein produced by the liver that

plays a role in maintaining normal blood volume). and
 Bilirubin levels (bilirubin is a pigment that is often present in the
blood of people with liver inflammation; high bilirubin levels
result in jaundice).

D. Evaluate the severity of inflammation, amount of fibrosis or scarring,
and general health of the liver

Liver Biopsies
 A liver biopsy should be considered in patients with chronic hepatitis

C infection if the patient and health care provider wish information
regarding fibrosis stage for prognostic purposes or to make a decision
regarding treatment.

 The most common procedure is called a percutaneous (through the
skin) liver biopsy, in which the skin and muscle near the liver are
numbed and a needle is quickly inserted into the liver to draw out a

specimen.

 Many people fear this procedure, but complications are rare. If you
are anxious, ask your physician for a mild tranquilizer prior to your
biopsy and for pain medication afterwards.

Noninvasive Fibrosis Tests

 Use of noninvasive tests such as ultrasound and low frequency elastic
waves and noninvasive blood marker panels useful in defining the
presence or absence of advanced fibrosis in persons with chronic
hepatitis C infection, used to avoid the discomfort and expense of
repeat biopsies, but should not replace the liver biopsy in routine

clinical practice.

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