1. By Dr Liza Bulsara
Under Guidance of :-
Dr. Sunil Mhaske sir
(Professor & Head)
In Presence of :-
Dr. Kothari sir (Associate Professor)
And all residents.
3. Portal Hypertension
Normal range of portal venous pressure is 5 to 10 mm
of Hg or 10-15 cm saline above the pressure present in
the IVC.
Portal hypertension is defined as elevation of this
pressure gradient to values above 10 to 12 mm Hg.
smalathi 3
4. Portal Hypertension
Definition:PHT is a pathologic increase in portal
pressure in which the pressure gradient between
the portal vein and the IVC (Portal pressure
gradient or PPG)is increased above the upper
limit of 10 mm of Hg.
PPG > 10 mmHg(varices)
PPG > 12mmHg(variceal bleed,ascites)
PPG > 6 to 10 mmHg(subclinical PHT)
smalathi 4
7. Pathophysiology of PH
Cirrhosis results in scarring (perisinusoidal
deposition of collagen)
Scarring narrows and compresses hepatic
sinusoids (fibrosis)
Progressive increase in resistance to portal
venous blood flow results in PH
Portal vein thrombosis, or hepatic venous
obstruction also cause PH by increasing the
resistance to portal blood flow
8. Pathophysiology of PH
As pressure increases, blood flow decreases and
the pressure in the portal system is transmitted to
its branches
Results in dilation of venous tributaries
Increased blood flow through collaterals and
subsequently increased venous return cause an
increase in cardiac output and total blood volume
and a decrease in systemic vascular resistance
With progression of disease, blood pressure
usually falls
10. Portal Vein CollateralsCoronary vein and short gastric veins -> veins of the
lesser curve of the stomach and the esophagus, leading
to the formation of varices
Inferior mesenteric vein -> rectal branches which, when
distended, form hemorrhoids
Umbilical vein ->epigastric venous system around the
umbilicus (caput medusae)
Retroperitoneal collaterals ->gastrointestinal veins
through the bare areas of the liver
Posterior abdominal wall:veins of posterior abdominal
wall,subdiaphragmatic veins,retroperitoneal veins.
Splenorenal collaterals
Splenoperitoneal collaterals.
11. Etiology of PH
Causes of PH can be divided into
1. Pre-hepatic
2. Intra-hepatic
3. Post-hepatic
12. Pre-hepatic PH
Caused by obstruction to blood flow at the level of
portal vein
Examples: congenital atresia, extrinsic compression,
s, portal, superior mesenteric, or splenic vein
thrombosis,cirrohsis.
13. Intrahepatic:
Infections:cirrohsis due to hepatitis B,C.
Metabolic disorders: wilson’s diseases.
Congenitial hepatic fibrosis
Chronic active hepatitis
Chronic myeloid luekemia
Lymphoma
Sarcoidosis
Luekemic infiltration
Toxins:arsenic,vinyl chloride,hyperviayminosis A.
smalathi 13
14. Post-hepatic
Caused by obstruction to blood flow at the level of
hepatic vein
Examples: Budd-Chiari syndrome, chronic heart
failure, constrictive pericarditis, vena cava webs
15. Budd-Chiari Syndrome
Caused by hepatic venous obstruction
At the level of the inferior vena cava, the hepatic
veins, or the central veins within the liver itself
result of congenital webs , acute or chronic
thrombosis and malignancy
16. Budd-Chiari Syndrome
Acute symptoms include hepatomegaly, RUQ
abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, ascites
Chronic form present with the sequelae of
cirrhosis and portal hypertension, including
variceal bleeding, ascites, spontaneous bacterial
peritonitis, fatigue, and encephalopathy
Diagnosis is most often made by US evaluation of
the liver and its vasculature
Cross-sectional imaging using contrast-enhanced
CT or MRI
17. Budd-Chiari Syndrome
Gold standard for the diagnosis has been
angiography
Management has traditionally been surgical
intervention (surgical decompression with a side-
to-side portosystemic shunt)
Minimally invasive treatment using TIPS may be
first-line therapy now
Response rates to medical therapy are poor
18. Portal Vein Thrombosis
Most common cause in children (fewer than 10%
of adult pts.)
Normal liver function and not as susceptible to
the development of complications, such as
encephalopathy
Diagnosis by sonography, CT and MRI
Often, the initial manifestation of portal vein
thrombosis is variceal bleeding in a noncirrhotic
patient with normal liver function
19. Portal Vein Thrombosis -
Causes
Umbilical vein infection (the most common cause
in children)
Coagulopathies (protein C and antithrombin III
deficiency),
Hepatic malignancy, myeloproliferative disorders
Inflammatory bowel disease
pancreatitis
trauma
Most cases in adults are idiopathic
20. Portal Vein Thrombosis
Therapeutic options are esophageal variceal ligation
and sclerotherapy
Distal splenorenal shunt
Rex shunt in patients whose intrahepatic portal vein
is patent (most commonly children)
21. Splenic Vein Thrombosis
Most often caused by disorders of the pancreas
(acute and chronic pancreatitis, trauma,
pancreatic malignancy, and pseudocysts)
Related to the location of the splenic vein
Gastric varices are present in 80% of patients
Occurs in the setting of normal liver function
Readily cured with splenectomy (variceal
hemorrhage), although observation for
asymptomatic patients is acceptable.
29. smalathi 29
• An enlarged spleen is the single most
important diagnostic sign of PHT
•Does not correlate with height of portal
pressure, size of varices or age of pt.
•Correlates with type of PHT (*
NCPF
12cm, * *
EHPVO 6cm)
•Spleen may not be palpable soon after a
bleed
Splenomegaly
30. smalathi 30
Dilated Abdominal Veins
• Presence supports the diagnosis of PHT
(Cirrhosis, BCS)
• Absence does not exclude PHT (EHPVO)
• Periumbilical veins indicate intrahep PHT,
(murmur – Cruvellier Baumgarten)
• Back veins – indicates HVOO (Classical
BCS/IVC)
33. smalathi 33
Ascites
• Presence of ascites supports diag of PHT
• Present in sinusoidal/post-sinusoidal
• Sudden accumulation of ascites – HVOO
• “Frog belly” – IVC obstruction
• Ascites in EHPVO (0-36%),
NCPF (5-10%) transient
34. smalathi 34
• Consistency more significant than size
• Size correlates poorly with height of pp.
• Normal, soft or small liver EHPVO
• Firm, nodular ,↓ vertical span or
enlarged,L .lobe palpable- cirrhosis
• Left lobe liver enlarged - CHF
• Firm liver – NCPF (10-15% nodular)
Liver Size & Consistency
35. smalathi 35
Presentation:GI Bleed
• GI Bleed usually is the first
presentation in EHPVO/NCPF.
• Bleeds well tolerated in presinusoidal
PHT.
• Bleeds occur night / morning (Peaks at 10
P.M, 9A.M).
• Mortality following variceal bleed in
cirrhosis 20% to 30%.
36. smalathi 36
Porto Systemic Hepatic
Encephalopathy
• Minimal Encephalopathy (>50%)
• Recurrent
• Persistent
• Acute
All 4 forms seen in cirrhosis. In NCPF /
EHPVO, this may follow GI bleed but
majority recover
37. smalathi 37
• Hypersplenism
• Thrombocytopenia - NCPF > EHPVO >
Cirrhosis
• Anemia
• Anemia could also be secondary to GI
Bleed
Hematological changes
38. smalathi 38
Clinical Features
• Growth Retardation – Resistance to the action
of growth hormone (EHPVO)
• Portopulmonary hypertension – non-
embolic pulmonary vasoconstriction in the
presence of PHT. (4% of cirrhosis, 9% of NCPF))
.
• Hepatorenal syndrome – renal insufficiency
in patients with severe liver failure in the absence
of any other cause of renal pathology (cirrhosis).
39. smalathi 39
Clinical Features
•Hepato pulmonary syndrome – triad
of PHT, intrapulmonary vascular dilatation and
arterial hypoxemia (PaO2 < 70mm of Hg) In the
absence of primary cardio pulmonary disease.
(17.5% cirrhotics, 13.3% NCPF, 10% EHPVO)
Anand A C IJ Gastro 2001.
•Foetor Hepaticus – results from porto
systemic shunting of blood, allows mercaptans
to pass directly to the lungs.
•Portal Biliopathy
40. smalathi 40
Evaluation of various forms of portal
hypertension
Parameter EHPVO NCPF Cirrhosis HVOO
Mean age
(years)
Children
& occ.
adults
18-25 All ages All ages
GI Bleed ++ Well
tolerated
++ Well
tolerated
+ + / -
Ascites 5% - 10% 5% - 10% + + + + +
Pedal oedema - - ++ +++
Encephalopathy - - + + / -
Spleen + + + ++ + +
Liver Normal or
Small
volume
Firm Decreased
vol / firm /
nodular
Enlarged /
firm /
nodular
41. Anterior
Abdomin
al Veins
- / few veins on
lumbar region
+ / - ++ + + + Back
vein
T. Protein
A/G ratio
Normal Normal T.P decreased
Glob increased
T P decreased
Glob increased
(Chronic)
US PV thrombosis
Cavernoma
Collaterals
Splenomegaly
Patent dilated PV
splenomegaly
collaterals
Liver coarse
echoes
Collaterals
dilated PV
ascites
Splenomegaly
Liver enlarged
Hepatic vein
thrombosis or
IVC obstruction
Liver
biopsy
Normal Normal / Peri
Portal fibrosis
Necrosis,
nodules
fibrosis
Centrilobular
necrosis,
fibrosis
Reversed
lobulation
Features EHPVO NCPF CIRRHOSIS HVOO
43. Complications of PH
GI bleeding due to gastric and esophageal varices
Ascites
Hepatic encephalopathy
44. Varices
Most life threatening complication is bleeding from
esophageal varices
Distal 5 cm of esophagus
Usually the portal vein-hepatic vein pressure gradient
>12 mm Hg
Bleeding occurs in 25-35% of pts. With varices and
risk is highest in 1st yr.
45. Prevention of Varices
Primary prophylaxis: prevent 1st episode of bleeding
Secondary prophylaxis: prevent recurrent episodes of
bleeding
Include control of underlying cause of cirrhosis and
pharmacological, surgical interventions to lower
portal pressure
46. Prevention of Varices
Beta blockade: Beta blockade (Nadolol, Propranolol)
Nitrates:Organic nitrates
Surgery: No longer performed*
Endoscopy: Sclerotherapy (no longer used*
) and
variceal ligation
* Refers to primary prophylaxis
47. Treatment of Varices
Initial Management:
1. Airway control
2. Hemodynamic monitoring
3. Placement of large bore IV lines
4. Full lab investigation (Hct, Coags, LFTs,)
5. Administration of blood products
6. ICU monitoring
48. Pharmacologic Treatment of
Varices
Decreases the rate of bleeding
Enhances the endoscopic ability to visualize the
site of bleeding
Vasopressin - potent splanchnic vasoconstrictor;
decreases portal venous blood flow and pressure
Somatostatin: decrease splanchnic blood flow
indirectly; fewer side effects
Octreotide: Initial drug of choice for acute
variceal bleeding
49. Endoscopic Therapy for Varices
Endoscopic Sclerotherapy: complications occur in 10-
30% and include fever, retrosternal chest pain,
dysphagia, perforation
Endoscopic variceal ligation: becoming the initial
intervention of choice; success rates range from 80-
100%
50. Balloon Tamponade
Sengstaken-Blakemore tube
Minnesota tube
Alternative therapy for pts. who fail pharmacologic or
endoscopic therapy
Complications: aspiration, perforation, necrosis
Limited to 24 hrs; works in 70-80%
51. TIPS
Transjugular intrahepatic portasystemic shunt
1st line treatment for bleeding esophageal
varices when earlier-mentioned methods fail
Success rates 90-100%
Significant complication is hepatic
encephalopathy
52. Surgical Intervention
Liver transplantation: only definitive procedure for
PH caused by cirrhosis
Shunts
Totally diverting (end-side portacaval)
Partially diverting (side-side portacaval)
Selective (distal splenorenal shunt)
Devascularization