Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension

Question 1

What is cirrhosis?

Answer 1

Fibrosis of liver tissue and diffuse nodule formation.

Question 2

Give examples of causes of cirrhosis?

Answer 2

Fatty liver associated with obesity or diabetes.
Chronic viral infections e.g. Hep C.
Alcoholic liver disease.

Question 3

Describe the pathophysiology of cirrhosis?

Answer 3

Injured hepatocytes activate stellate cells in the peri-sinusoudal space.
Stellate cells proliferate and produce collagen.
When the liver is continuously injured - collagen is continuously produced.
Excess collagen deposition can compress blood vessels (hypertension), can force fluid into the peritoneal cavity (ascites) and cause fluid to be backed up to the spleen (splenomegaly).

Question 4

What is Portal Hypertension?

Answer 4

Slow blood flow due to increased pressure in the portal circulation (>5mmHg).