Back to Diseases & Conditions

Hepatopulmonary syndrome

Hepatopulmonary (hep-uh-toe-POOL-moe-nar-e) syndrome is caused by blood vessels in the lungs expanding, also called dilating, and increasing in number. This condition affects the lungs of people who have advanced liver disease.

These changes in the lungs make it hard for red blood cells to take in oxygen. Then the lungs can’t send enough oxygen to the body. This leads to low oxygen levels in the blood, also called hypoxemia.

How liver disease is linked to the lung condition isn’t yet known. A liver transplant is the only cure for hepatopulmonary syndrome.

Often, there are no symptoms of hepatopulmonary syndrome. If there are symptoms, they can include:

Hepatopulmonary syndrome is caused when blood vessels in and around the lungs widen, also called dilate. This affects the amount of oxygen that moves from the lungs into the bloodstream.

What causes this is not clear. And it’s not known why some people with liver disease develop hepatopulmonary syndrome while others do not.

These tests can help find if you have hepatopulmonary syndrome:

Being given oxygen, called supplemental oxygen therapy, is the main treatment for shortness of breath caused by low oxygen levels in the blood. A liver transplant is the only cure for hepatopulmonary syndrome.

© 1998-2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.

We Make Health Possible

As East Central Indiana’s population grows, we’re putting health care where people need it most. Besides Hancock Regional Hospital, ranked as one of the nation’s safest by the Lown Hospital Index, our network includes more than 30 other locations near your home or work.

Learn More about Hancock