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Pathophysiology of Portal Hypertension

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Variceal Hemorrhage

Abstract

Portal hypertension is the hemodynamic abnormality most frequently associated with serious liver disease, although it is recognized less commonly in a variety of extrahepatic diseases. Many of the most lethal complications of liver disease are directly related to the presence of portal hypertension, including ascites, portal-systemic encephalopathy, and hemorrhage from gastroesophageal varices. This chapter discusses an overview of current knowledge of the circulatory derangements observed in portal hypertension. In particular, we discuss three major areas: (1) structural and (2) functional aspects of the regulatory mechanisms of the hepatic vascular resistance, and (3) factors that control the hyperdynamic splanchnic circulation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine/Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, 1080 LMP, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA

    Yasuko Iwakiri Ph.D. & Roberto J. Groszmann M.D.

Authors
  1. Yasuko Iwakiri Ph.D.
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  2. Roberto J. Groszmann M.D.
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Correspondence to Yasuko Iwakiri Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Luigi Sacco University Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Roberto de Franchis

  2. Ospedale Universitario Luigi Sacco, Universitá degli Studi di Milano, UOC Gastroenterologia, Milano, Italy

    Alessandra Dell’Era

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Iwakiri, Y., Groszmann, R.J. (2014). Pathophysiology of Portal Hypertension. In: de Franchis, R., Dell’Era, A. (eds) Variceal Hemorrhage. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0002-2_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0002-2_1

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