Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026

Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy
Published on: June 18, 2020
Invasive and noninvasive methods to diagnose portal hypertension and esophageal varices
Roberto de Franchis1, Alessandra Dell'Era1
1Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, University of Milan, Via G. B. Grassi 74, Milan 20157, Italy.
Abstract:
Assessing the presence of clinically significant portal hypertension and esophageal varices is clinically important in cirrhosis. The reference standard techniques to assess the presence of portal hypertension and varices are the measurement of the hepatic vein pressure gradient and esophagogastroduodenoscopy, respectively. Some newer methods have shown a good performance, but none has been proven precise enough to replace hepatic vein pressure gradient measurement or esophagogastroduodenoscopy for the diagnosis of portal hypertension or the presence and grade of esophageal varices.
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