Portal sinusoidal vascular diseases: Assessment and therapy

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Vascular Biology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) is a recently defined group of liver conditions.
• PSVD leads to portal hypertension (PH) without cirrhosis or portal vein thrombosis (PVT).
• Recognition and understanding of PSVD are growing, consolidating knowledge from previous terms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current methods for assessing PSVD.
• To discuss available treatments for PSVD and its complications.
• To highlight challenges and unanswered questions regarding PSVD nomenclature and management.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical features, histological findings, and imaging techniques for PSVD diagnosis.
• Analysis of current treatment strategies for PSVD and associated portal hypertension.
• Discussion of diagnostic challenges and future research directions.

Main Results:

• PSVD encompasses conditions previously known by various names, excluding specific etiologies.
• Patients with PSVD can develop complications of PH, similar to cirrhosis.
• Advances in diagnostics and treatments are improving outcomes for patients with associated conditions.

Conclusions:

• PSVD is an increasingly recognized cause of portal hypertension.
• Further research is needed on PSVD's natural history, screening, prognosis, and optimal treatment.
• Standardized assessment and management strategies are crucial for this evolving liver disease.