Acute Cholecystitis

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:nurse: Hello everyone, I have a quick question. I am having a "brain fart" if you will as I am preparing my clinical case presentation on a client I had in the ER the other day. She was diagnosed with Acute Cholecystitis and her labs came back and revealed a major increase in her AST and ALT levels... Why would her liver enzymes be elevated if its a gallbladder problem? Could it be because her cystic duct is obstructed which causes her hepatic duct to have decreased blood flow??? Also, her Lipase was extremely elevated also...Not sure, but I am trying to understand it the best I can. If anyone has any advice I really need it!! Thanks so much :)
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Specializes in DOU.

The liver and gallbladder share a common duct. If the duct becomes inflammed or obstructed, the liver labs will also be affected.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

AST (aspartate aminotranferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) are enzymes that are present in muscle, liver and brain cells. When present in increased levels they indicate there is necrosis or disease occurring in these tissues.

Gall is a secretion of the liver. It is stored as bile in the gall bladder. The function of the gallbladder is distribution of bile.

Lipase is an enzyme made and secreted by the pancreas. It can become elevated when there is cholecystitis.

This should explain the pathophysiology of cholecystitis for you: http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec03/ch030/ch030c.html

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