Portal hypertension and its complications--an overview

The major consequences of cirrhosis stem from development of portal hypertension which leads to bleeding varices, portasystemic encephalopathy, ascites, and hypersplenism. This paper reviews the pathophysiology of portal hypertension with regard to specific causes and the anatomic sites of circulatory derangement. The clinician must understand the mechanisms which lead to clinical complication if current therapy is to be relevant and practical. Controlled clinical trials are really the only way to establish the acceptability of specific therapies.