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The causes for portal hypertension are classified as originating in the portal venous system before it reaches the liver (prehepatic causes), within the liver (intrahepatic) or between the liver and the heart (post-hepatic). The most common cause is cirrhosis (chronic liver failure).
Portal venous pressure is the blood pressure in the hepatic portal vein, and is normally between 5-10 mmHg. [1] Raised portal venous pressure is termed portal hypertension , [ 2 ] and has numerous sequelae such as ascites and hepatic encephalopathy .
Portal hypertension is a condition in which the blood pressure of the portal venous system is too high. It is often the result of cirrhosis of the liver. Liver cirrhosis can lead to increased intrahepatic vascular resistance and vasodilation of portal system arteries, both of which increase pressure in the portal vein. [4]
Increased blood pressure in the portal vein, called portal hypertension, is a major complication of liver disease, most commonly cirrhosis. [7] A dilated portal vein (diameter of greater than 13 or 15 mm) is a sign of portal hypertension, with a sensitivity estimated at 12.5% or 40%. [8]
This results in portal hypertension. Effects of portal hypertension include: Ascites is a build-up of fluid in the peritoneal cavity in the abdomen [39] An enlarged spleen in 35–50% of cases [6] Esophageal varices and gastric varices result from collateral circulation in the esophagus and stomach (a process called portacaval anastomosis). [40]
Portopulmonary hypertension (PPH) [1] is defined by the coexistence of portal and pulmonary hypertension. PPH is a serious complication of liver disease, present in 0.25 to 4% of all patients with cirrhosis. Once an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation, it is no longer, thanks to rapid advances in the treatment of this condition. [2]
Patients with portal hypertensive gastropathy may experience bleeding from the stomach, which may uncommonly manifest itself in vomiting blood or melena; however, portal hypertension may cause several other more common sources of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, such as esophageal varices and gastric varices. On endoscopic evaluation of the ...
Portal hypertension plays an important role in the production of ascites by raising capillary hydrostatic pressure within the splanchnic bed. Regardless of the cause, sequestration of fluid within the abdomen leads to additional fluid retention by the kidneys due to stimulatory effect on blood pressure hormones, notably aldosterone .