Palliative Care in Cirrhosis

The families and patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) confront physical and emotional challenges that are not frequently addressed by health-care providers. Palliative care emphasizes the assessment, anticipation, and alleviation of suffering in patients dying from the complications of cirrhosis in a holistic, patient-centered and family-focused manner. This chapter reviews the application of palliative care principles to patients with ESLD and the management of specific complications in the terminally ill patient.