The hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is characterized by the concomitant presence of a hepatic lesion and affection of the pulmonary microcirculation. The basic sign is liver disease with hypo- xaemia, which develops on the basis of intrapulmonary precapillary vascular dilatations and/or arteriovenous shunts. In the former case HPS type I is involved, in the latter case HPS type II. It is found as a rule in the stage of decompensated cirrhosis of the liver, but may develop also in acute hepatocellular lesions and after orthotopic transplantation of the liver with chronic graft rejection. Assessment of this diagnosis plays an important part in patients with decompensated cirrhosis of the liver, who are potential candidates for transplantation of the liver, because in the past hypoxaemia was one of the contraindications of transplantation. If the deteriorated arterial oxygenation is due to HPS it is possible at present to indicate transplantation of the liver in these patients, as the reversibility of this syndrome after successful transplantation of the liver is complete.

        Key words: hepatopulmonary syndrome – cirrhosis of the liver – transplantation of the liver