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GuideWisdom™

This WisdomCard managed by: Aimee Abellaneda

Portal hypertension is high blood pressure in the portal vein and its branches. It is often defined as a portal pressure gradient (the difference in pressure between the portal vein and the hepatic veins) of 5 mm Hg or greater. Consequences of portal hypertension are caused by blood being forced down alternate channels by the increased resistance to flow through the portal system. Medical treatment with a non-selective beta blocker is often commenced once portal hypertension has been diagnosed, and almost always if there has already been bleeding from esophageal varices. ...read more from Wikipedia

Fast Facts:

• -- It is usually the result of liver cirrhosis.¹
• -- Variceal hemorrhage is the most common complication associated with portal hypertension.²
• --The effects of portal hypertension can lead to an enlarged abdomen, abdominal discomfort, confusion, and internal bleeding.³

Top Resources on Portal Hypertension

• Cleveland Clinic: Portal Hypertension
• Vascular Disease Foundation: Portal Hypertension : What Is It?
• eMedicine: Portal Hypertension
• The Merck Manuals: Portal Hypertension
• Patient UK: Portal Hypertension
• FamilyDoctor: Cirrhosis And Portal Hypertension
• British Medical Journal: Portal Hypertension---1: Varices
• Medical News Today: Improved Treatment For Patients With Portal Hypertension (May 21, 2008)
• Healthwise (via Yahoo Health): Portal Hypertension
• University of Southern California Department of Surgery: Portal Hypertension Surgery

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GuideWisdom and Fast Facts References

1. ↑ Wikipedia: Portal Hypertension
2. ↑ eMedicine: Portal Hypertension
3. ↑ The Merck Manuals: Portal Hypertension

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