Portal Hypertension, C53 P357-363 Flashcards
Identify the anatomy of the
portal venous system:
P357 (picture)
- Portal vein
- Coronary vein
- Splenic vein
- IMV (inferior mesenteric vein)
- SMV (superior mesenteric vein)
- Superior hemorrhoidal vein
Describe drainage of
blood from the superior
hemorrhoidal vein.
P358
To the IMV, the splenic vein, and then
the portal vein
Where does blood drain into
from the IMV?
P358
Into the splenic vein
Where does the portal vein
begin?
P358
At the confluence of the splenic vein and
the SMV
What are the (6) potential routes of portal–systemic collateral blood flow (as seen with portal hypertension)? P358
- Umbilical vein
- Coronary vein to esophageal venous
plexuses - Retroperitoneal veins (veins of Retzius)
- Diaphragm veins (veins of Sappey)
- Superior hemorrhoidal vein to middle
and inferior hemorrhoidal veins and
then to the iliac vein - Splenic veins to the short gastric
veins
What is the pathophysiology
of portal hypertension?
P358
Elevated portal pressure resulting from
resistance to portal flow
What level of portal
pressure is normal?
P358
<10 mm Hg
What is the etiology?
P358
Prehepatic—Thrombosis of portal vein/ atresia of portal vein Hepatic—Cirrhosis (distortion of normal parenchyma by regenerating hepatic nodules), hepatocellular carcinoma, fibrosis Posthepatic—Budd-Chiari syndrome: thrombosis of hepatic veins
What is the most common
cause of portal hypertension
in the United States?
P358
Cirrhosis (>90% of cases)
How many patients with
alcoholism develop
cirrhosis?
P358
Surprisingly, < 1 in 5
What percentage of patients
with cirrhosis develop
esophageal varices?
P359
≈40%
How many patients with
cirrhosis develop portal
hypertension?
P359
Approximately two thirds
What is the most common
physical finding in patients
with portal hypertension?
P359
Splenomegaly (spleen enlargement)
What are the associated
CLINICAL findings in
portal hypertension (4)?
P359 (picture)
- Esophageal varices
- Splenomegaly
- Caput medusae (engorgement of
periumbilical veins) - Hemorrhoids
What other physical findings
are associated with cirrhosis
and portal hypertension?
P359
Spider angioma, palmar erythema,
ascites, truncal obesity and peripheral
wasting, encephalopathy, asterixis (liver
flap), gynecomastia, jaundice
What is the name of the
periumbilical bruit heard
with caput medusae?
P359
Cruveilhier-Baumgarten bruit
What constitutes the portal– systemic collateral circulation in portal hypertension in the following conditions: Esophageal varices? P360
Coronary vein backing up into the
azygous system
What constitutes the portal– systemic collateral circulation in portal hypertension in the following conditions: Caput medusae? P360
Umbilical vein (via falciform ligament) draining into the epigastric veins
What constitutes the portal– systemic collateral circulation in portal hypertension in the following conditions: Retroperitoneal varices? P360
Small mesenteric veins (veins of Retzius)
draining retroperitoneally into lumbar veins
What constitutes the portal– systemic collateral circulation in portal hypertension in the following conditions: Hemorrhoids? P360
Superior hemorrhoidal vein (which
normally drains into the inferior mesenteric
vein) backing up into the middle
and inferior hemorrhoidal veins