Lesson 5B (Part 2) Flashcards
What are sonographic applications for the portal vein? (3)
- Portal vein hypertension
- Detect tumor invasion
- Detect thrombosis
Hepatopetal flow
Flow is directed towards the liver
Hepatofugal flow
Flow is directed away from the liver
What is considered normal flow through the portal vein system?
Hepatopetal flow
What is the usual cause of hepatofugal flow in the liver?
Cirrhosis
Liver failure
Loss of function of 80-90% of liver cells
What are complications of liver failure? (2)
- Hepatic encephalopathy
- Impaired protein synthesis
- serum albumin
- PTT
What can cause portal hypertension
Veins around the scar tissue become obstructed
How does hepatic encephalopathy happen?
A build up of toxins in your blood due to loss of function
PTT
Amount of time it takes for your blood to clot
What is considered normal portal pressure?
5-10 mm/Hg
At what pressure do complications arise form portal hypertensiton?
12 mm/Hg
What occurs with portal hypertension? (4)
- Varices
- little veins around get larger - Ascites
- surrounding fluid - Esophageal varices
- main complication - Portal /splenic veins will enlarge
What dies high pressure help to create?
Collaterals
What do patients with cirrhosis experience?
Rapid growth of scar tissue in the liver
- can lead to obstructions
What do porto-systemic collaterals form?
The opening and dilatation of prexisting vascular channels
Portosystemic anastomoses
Body connecting the portal system to the systemic system
What are the most important portosystemic anastomoses? (2)
- Gastroesophageal collaterals
2. Esophageal varices
Within a week of birth the unbilical vein is obliterated, what ligament does it become?
Round
- ligamentum teres
What happens to the round ligament under extreme pressure?
May open to allow passage of blood
What does extreme pressure to the rough ligament come from? (2)
- Cirrhosis
2. Portal hypertension
