What is Portal Hypertension?
Increase in the blood air pressure in the portal venous system is known as Portal Hypertension . Portal venous organization is a arrangement of veins , which go forth from the tummy , spleen , intestine and pancreas and fall in the portal vein . There are pocket-size vessels , which ramify out from the portal vena and pass through the liver . If there is stoppage in the liver vessels from liver equipment casualty , then there is disturbance in the blood circulation through the liver . This causes increased atmospheric pressure in the portal system of rules and portal vein , which induce varices . Varices are the large and vain vein present inside the stomach , esophagus , rectum or umbilical area ( belly button ) . There can be rupture and hemorrhage in these varices , which can result in complications that can be lifetime - heavy .
Causes of Portal Hypertension
Signs & Symptoms of Portal Hypertension
Patient may not always have specific symptoms , which indicate if something is incorrect with the liver . However , if the patient role has liver disease , which has led to cirrhosis , then the risk of developing portal high blood pressure is very high-pitched . Some of the complication and master symptoms of portal hypertension are :
Diagnosis of Portal Hypertension
diagnosing of portal high blood pressure is often made on the basis of expatiate veins or varices or ascites which can be escort when a physical exam of the venter or the anus is done . Lab trial , such as x - shaft of light and endoscopic examination can also be done
Treatment of Portal Hypertension
There is no treatment for absolute majority of the causa of portal hypertension . The aim of treatment is preventing and wield the knottiness , peculiarly if there is any hemorrhage from the varix . discourse options for portal high blood pressure comprise of dieting , medications , endoscopic therapy , radioscopy and surgery to treat or keep the complication . Further treatment count on the degree of the symptom and the function of the liver . handling for portal hypertension comprises of :
Surgical Treatment Options for Portal Hypertension
If endoscopic therapy , medicines , dietary / life style change are not helping to control variceal bleeding , then one of the following decompression function need to be undertake to reduce the pressure in the portal veins .
In this function a stent is placed in the middle of the liver to connect the hepatic vena with the portal vein , which will airt the blood menses in the liver thus relieving the atmospheric pressure in the unnatural mineral vein . In this procedure , the radiotherapist uses a needle to make a burrow through the liver , which touch base the portal vena to one of the liver or hepatic veins . The radiologist then put a metal stent in the tunnel in edict to keep it open . This subroutine redirects the blood flow in the liver and fetch down the pressure in the abnormal vein present in the stomach , esophagus , liver and gut . This procedure is done under x - ray direction . The duration of this procedure is 1 to 3 hours . An overnight hitch s need after this procedure .
In more than 90 % of the patients , the haemorrhage and portal hypertension is control immediately after the peak routine . In some patient , nail down of the shunt may occur and re - bleeding of the varices may also occur .

Narrowing or blockage of the shunt can occur in the first year following the TIPS procedure . Frequent follow - up echography exam call for to be done after the TIPS subroutine to observe any complication . Increased ascites and re - bleeding are some of the signs of a occlusion . Radiologist can work out this status by re - expanding the bypass using a balloon or by re - doing the TIPS procedure and place a new stent .
In showcase of severe liver disease , patient may have encephalopathy where there is unnatural functioning of the brain . After reduction of blood flow to the liver following the TIPS routine there can be worsening of hepatic encephalopathy , as the toxic substances do n’t get metabolized by the liver and reach the brain as they are . This can be treated with dieting , medications or by work the electrical shunt unaccessible .
In this procedure , the vena from the spleen is connected to the vena from the unexpended kidney to shorten the pressure in the varix and halt the bleeding .
DSRS is a operative procedure in which splenetic vein is separated from the portal vein and attached to the left renal vein . This operating theater helps in reducing the pressure in the varices and control the hemorrhage connect to portal high blood pressure . DSRS procedure is commonly done only in patient who have safe liver function . This operating theater need general anaesthesia , the effect of which last around 4 hour . Patient will require staying in the infirmary for about a workweek to 10 day .
Many patient ( more than 90 % ) with portal hypertension achieve good retentive - term control of bleeding with DSRS procedure . There is a high risk of re - bleeding in the first calendar month .
There is a risk of ascites where there is build up of fluid in the belly with DSRS Surgery . Diuretics and decreased sodium inspiration is done for handle this complication .
The following Tests will postulate to be done before the TIPS and DSRS Procedures are performed to assess the severity and extent of the condition :
Other Treatment Options for Portal Hypertension
Lifestyle Changes for Portal Hypertension
The following life-style changes will avail in improving the function of the liver and forestall portal hypertension :
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