Anatomy
Summary
Portal hypertension refers to elevated pressure within the portal venous system, with liver cirrhosis being its most common cause. When the portal pressure rises, blood may escape via portosystemic anastomoses, which are connections between the portal and systemic venous systems. One of the major complications arising from this condition are esophageal varices, abnormal dilations of esophageal veins prone to life-threatening hemorrhage. These varices occur at the anastomosis between the left gastric vein (portal system) and the esophageal branches of the azygos vein (systemic system). Gastric varices, particularly in the fundus, may signal splenic vein pathology, like thrombosis due to pancreatic inflammation or cancer.
Further complications of portal hypertension include caput medusae and anorectal varices. Caput medusae involves the abnormal dilation of superficial abdominal wall veins near the umbilicus, resulting from anastomosis between the paraumbilical veins (portal system) and superficial epigastric veins (systemic system). Anorectal varices, distinct from hemorrhoids, result from anastomosis between the superior rectal vein (portal system) and middle and inferior rectal veins (systemic system), and manifests as hemorrhoid-like symptoms. Therapeutically, a TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) may be inserted to create an alternate pathway for blood flow, thereby relieving portal pressure. Occlusion of the portal triad (Pringle maneuver) may be employed to detect the location of perihepatic hemorrhage.
Lesson Outline
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FAQs
The portal venous system drains various organs of the abdominal cavity, and involves a system of blood vessels that provide numerous collateral anastomoses to other venous beds of the abdomen. Dysfunction of the portal system, such as in portal hypertension, can lead to severe health complications like liver cirrhosis, esophageal varices, and other related conditions.
Liver cirrhosis results in the formation of scar tissue that replaces healthy liver cells, impairing the organ's ability to function effectively, including its detoxification functions. This scar tissue also creates a mechanical obstacle to the flow of blood through the liver, especially the blood coming from the intestines and spleen to the portal vein. As the liver becomes increasingly fibrotic, pressure within the portal venous system begins to rise, resulting in portal hypertension. This condition can lead to severe complications, including varices and ascites.
A portosystemic anastomosis refers to a connection between the portal venous system and the systemic venous circulation. Under normal conditions, these anastomotic connections exist but are not very active. However, in the case of portal hypertensionÑcaused by conditions like liver cirrhosisÑthe increased pressure in the portal vein system drives blood to flow through these anastomoses as an alternative route to bypass the liver. This diversion allows blood to enter the systemic circulation directly, but it also means that substances usually metabolized or filtered by the liver, like certain toxins and drugs, can bypass the liver's detoxifying effects, potentially leading to complications.
Esophageal varices are dilated veins in the esophagus that occur as a direct consequence of portal hypertension. When the liver is cirrhotic and scarred, it poses resistance to the flow of blood through the portal vein, leading to increased pressure. This elevated pressure forces blood to find alternative routes back to the heart, one of which is through the smaller, weaker veins in the esophagus. These veins aren't designed to handle such high pressure and volume, so they dilate and become engorged, forming varices. These varices are prone to rupture, which can result in life-threatening bleeding.
A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a medical procedure used to treat portal hypertension and its complications, especially variceal bleeding. It involves creating a channel within the liver using a stent, connecting the portal and hepatic vein to allow the blood to bypass the liver directly, reducing high portal venous pressures and preventing life-threatening complications.
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