Portal Hypertension Flashcards Preview

Gastroenterology > Portal Hypertension > Flashcards

Flashcards in Portal Hypertension Deck (13)
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1
Q

What is portal hypertension?

A

Pressure gradient b/w hepatic vein pressure and wedged hepatic vein pressure (corrected sinusoidal pressure) >5mmHg.

2
Q

What triggers the pressure gradient in portal hypertension?

A

3 sites of increased resistance (pressure = flow x resistance)

  1. Presinusoidal
  2. Sinusoidal
  3. Post sinusoidal
3
Q

What are pre sinusoidal causes of portal hypertension?

A

Portal vein thrombosis, schistosomiasis, sarcoidosis.

4
Q

What are sinusoidal causes of portal hypertension?

A

Cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis.

5
Q

What are post-sinusoidal causes of portal hypertension?

A
  • RHF
  • Hepatic vein thrombosis
  • Veno-occlusive disease
  • Constrictive pericarditis
6
Q

What are the complications of portal hypertension?

A
  • GI bleeding (from varices)
  • Ascites
  • Hepatic encephalopathy
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Renal dysfunction
  • Sepsis
  • Arterial hypoxaemia
7
Q

What are the signs of portal hypertension?

A
  • Oesophageal varices
  • Melaena
  • Splenomegaly
  • Ascites
  • Haemorrhoids
8
Q

Management of portal hypertension?

A
  • B blockers
  • Nitrates
  • Shunts (e.g. TIPS)
9
Q

What does TIPS stand for?

A

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)

10
Q

Why are B blockers used in portal HTN?

A

Non-selective B blockers (propranolol, nadolol) decrease risk of bleeding from varices.

11
Q

What does the TIPS procedure involved?

A

-Shunt between portal and hepatic veins via transjugular vein catheterisation and percutaneous puncture of portal vein. Shunt usually remains open

12
Q

What are the complications of the TIPS procedure?

A

Hepatic encephalopathy, deterioration of hepatic function.

13
Q

When is TIPS contraindicated?

A

Severe hepatic dysfunction.