title: [Portal hypertensive gastropathy--a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage].
abstract: There is evidence that the portal-hypertensive gastropathy is a clinical complication of portal hypertension and a distinct clinical entity being different from various types of gastritis. According to endoscopical findings one can differentiate 4 stages: I = superficial reddening on the surface of the gastric rugae, II = white reticular pattern separating areas of prominent pink oedematous mucosa (snake-skin or mosaic pattern), III = cherry red spots, IV = diffuse bleeding. These alterations occurring more prominently in the gastric fundus are caused by venous and capillary ectasia and by arteriovenous shunts. The potential of diffuse mucosal bleeding distinct from variceal haemorrhage is of clinical importance. Additionally, congestive mucosa seems to be more vulnerable to noxious agents in the gastric lumen. For therapy propranolol has been recommended.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nilius
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zipprich
mesh_terms: D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000473:pathology
vernacular_title: Die portal-hypertensive Gastropathie--eine wenig beachtete Ursache der oberen Gastrointestinalblutung.