Portal Hypertension

People with chronic liver disease can develop something called portal hypertension. This occurs when the scar tissue that is laid down by the liver when injured becomes excessive and leads to altered blood flow. As a result, there is increased pressure in the main vein that feeds the liver, the portal vein. Learn more.

1. Portal
Hypertension

2. What is portal
hypertension?
Portal hypertension occurs when
the scar tissue created from
liver injuries, becomes excessive
and disrupts blood flow. This
disruption increases pressure in
the main vein and portal vein, and
eventually diverts blood away
from the liver.

3. What causes portal
hypertension?
The most common culprit for
developing this condition is
cirrhosis of the liver. However,
it can also be caused by blood
clots,
non-alcoholic fatty liver
disease, chronic exposure to
hepatitis B or C, and
schistosomiasis.
Healthy Liver
Cirrhosis

4. Symptoms of portal
hypertension
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Bloody stools
• Vomiting blood
• Accumulation of abdominal fluid
• Varicose veins on the abdomen
• Abdominal bloating
• Cramps
• Forgetfulness
• Shortness of breath

5. Diagnosis & Treatment
If you have a diseased liver and/or
are experiencing symptoms of portal
hypertension, your doctor will need
to know about your lifestyle and
medical history, and perform a
series of lab tests.

6. Being Diagnosed
Once diagnosed, the patient is
prescribed medications to reduce
blood pressure. Undergoing
endoscopic therapy and
sclerotherapy is also
recommended.
If you have a diseased liver and/or
are experiencing symptoms of
hypertension, your medical provider
will ask detailed questions about
your lifestyle, medical history and
conduct a series of lab tests, along
with administering an endoscopic
examination, MRI and other
assessments of the liver.

7. Advanced Procedures
If conservative treatments are not
controlling hypertension, doctors may
try two more advanced procedures:
• Transjugular Intraheptic
Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS)
• Distal Splenoreal Shunt (DSRS)

8. Transjugular Intraheptic
Portosystemic Shunt
(TIPS)
For this procedure, your doctor
uses a small metal device to
connect the portal vein to the
hepatic vein.
Distal Splenoreal
Shunt (DSRS)
This is a surgical procedure that
involves the surgeon detaching
the splenic vein from the portal
vein in order to relieve the high
pressure within the affected
portal vein. The splenic vein is
then reattached to the vein that
leads to the left kidney.

9. Risk Factors For
Developing Portal
Hypertension
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Usage of intravenous drugs
• Having received a blood transfusion
before 1992
• Having unprotected sex with multiple
partners

10. Prevention
Incorporating lifestyle changes play
an important role in preventing portal
hypertension. These include:
• Quitting drinking
• Quitting smoking
• Regular exercising
• Eating healthier
• Attending a drug treatment
program for IV drug users

11. If you have portal
hypertension, we
can help you.
At Pinnacle we conduct research
specializing in liver disease.
We work with over 70 referring
physicians in San Antonio and
Austin, providing clinical trials in
liver disease.

12. Cutting-Edge Research
For Liver Disease
Contact us today to discuss
research opportunities.
San Antonio Office – 210.982.0320
Austin Office – 512.384.1560
[email protected]
PinnacleResearch.com