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Related Concept Videos

Portal Hypertension01:22

Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension is an increase in blood pressure within the portal venous system. Normally, this pressure is less than 5 mmHg. It is considered clinically significant when it rises above 10 mmHg. At this threshold, complications from altered blood flow and venous congestion emerge.EtiologyPortal hypertension arises from conditions that impede blood flow through the liver. The most common cause is cirrhosis, in which chronic liver injury leads to fibrotic scarring. This fibrosis narrows or...
Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management01:28

Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management

Esophageal varices often manifest as gastrointestinal bleeding episodes, presenting symptoms like hematemesis (vomiting of blood), hematochezia (passing fresh blood via the rectum), and melena (black, tarry stools). Other signs can include weight loss, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, pruritus, altered mental status, and muscle cramps.
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol abuse, or...
Esophageal Varices-I: Introduction01:24

Esophageal Varices-I: Introduction

Esophageal varices are dilated, tortuous veins which are found mainly in the submucosa of the lower esophagus but which may also appear higher up or extend into the stomach. They develop due to increased pressure in the portal venous system, often as a result of liver cirrhosis. This condition scars and damages the liver, impeding normal blood flow through the portal vein. To compensate, blood seeks alternative pathways, forming fragile new vessels (varices) in the esophagus and stomach. These...
Hepatic Portal System01:21

Hepatic Portal System

The hepatic portal system, a critical part of our circulatory framework, transports nutrient-laden, deoxygenated blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver. This ingenious system plays an indispensable role in maintaining our body's metabolic equilibrium.
At its core, the hepatic portal vein is the result of a confluence of the superior and inferior mesenteric veins along with the splenic vein. Each of these veins has a unique role. The superior mesenteric vein is responsible...
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology01:24

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology

Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...

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Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

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Non-invasive evaluation of portal hypertension using shear-wave elastography: analysis of two algorithms combining liver and spleen stiffness in 191 patients with cirrhosis.

Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics·2018
Same author

Lack of clinical or haemodynamic rebound after abrupt interruption of beta-blockers in patients with cirrhosis.

Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics·2016
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Diagnostic performance of Baveno IV criteria in cirrhotic patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding: analysis of the F7 liver-1288 study population.

Journal of hepatology·2010
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Cirrhosis ameliorates monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats.

The European respiratory journal·2009
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[Pathophysiology and prognosis of refractory ascites in patients with cirrhosis].

Gastroenterologie clinique et biologique·2008
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[Refractory ascites in patients with cirrhosis].

Gastroenterologie clinique et biologique·2008
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[Not Available].

Gastroenterologie clinique et biologique·2014
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[Not Available].

Gastroenterologie clinique et biologique·2014
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[Not Available].

Gastroenterologie clinique et biologique·2014
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[Not Available].

Gastroenterologie clinique et biologique·2014
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Invasive Hemodynamic Characterization of the Portal-hypertensive Syndrome in Cirrhotic Rats
09:37

Invasive Hemodynamic Characterization of the Portal-hypertensive Syndrome in Cirrhotic Rats

Published on: August 1, 2018

[Progress in portal hypertension].

D Lebrec1, R Moreau

  • 1Inserm U773, Centre de Recherche Bichat-Beaujon CRB3, 75018 Paris, France. didier.lebrec@inserm.fr

Gastroenterologie Clinique Et Biologique
|June 23, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Portal hypertension in cirrhosis involves increased intrahepatic resistance and arterial nitric oxide (NO) production. Non-invasive tests can estimate severity, and combined therapies targeting resistance and blood flow may offer the best treatment.

More Related Videos

Laparoscopic Splenectomy with Pericardial Devascularization for Hypersplenism and Esophageal Variceal Hemorrhage Due to Portal Hypertension
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Laparoscopic Splenectomy with Pericardial Devascularization for Hypersplenism and Esophageal Variceal Hemorrhage Due to Portal Hypertension

Published on: November 15, 2024

Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy
07:10

Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy

Published on: June 18, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Invasive Hemodynamic Characterization of the Portal-hypertensive Syndrome in Cirrhotic Rats
09:37

Invasive Hemodynamic Characterization of the Portal-hypertensive Syndrome in Cirrhotic Rats

Published on: August 1, 2018

Laparoscopic Splenectomy with Pericardial Devascularization for Hypersplenism and Esophageal Variceal Hemorrhage Due to Portal Hypertension
04:00

Laparoscopic Splenectomy with Pericardial Devascularization for Hypersplenism and Esophageal Variceal Hemorrhage Due to Portal Hypertension

Published on: November 15, 2024

Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy
07:10

Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy

Published on: June 18, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Vascular Physiology

Context:

  • Cirrhosis leads to portal hypertension, characterized by specific circulatory modifications.
  • Hepatic endothelin and arterial nitric oxide (NO) hyperproduction contribute to elevated intrahepatic vascular resistance.

Purpose:

  • To review the mechanisms of circulatory modifications in portal hypertension due to cirrhosis.
  • To discuss diagnostic methods for assessing portal hypertension severity.
  • To explore pharmacological approaches for reducing portal pressure.

Summary:

  • Portal hypertension in cirrhosis is driven by increased intrahepatic vascular resistance and arterial NO hyperproduction.
  • Hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement is definitive, while FibroTest and FibroScan offer non-invasive assessment of severe portal hypertension.
  • Pharmacological agents can reduce portal pressure by decreasing hepatic vascular resistance or portal tributary blood flow.

Impact:

  • Understanding these mechanisms aids in developing targeted therapies for portal hypertension.
  • Non-invasive techniques improve patient monitoring and diagnosis of severe portal hypertension.
  • Combined pharmacological strategies show promise for managing portal hypertension, warranting further investigation.