Recurrent hypersplenism caused by alcoholic cardiomyopathy after distal splenorenal shunt.
The hypersplenism associated with portal hypertension usually resolves with a successful shunting procedure. Recurrent hypersplenism has been associated with shunt thrombosis. We describe a patient with pancytopenia, jaundice, and diffuse edema after a distal splenorenal shunt. His shunt was angiographically proved patent. Extensive evaluation revealed severe alcoholic cardiomyopathy with passive splenic congestion. He died of cardiac failure. Alcohol is a systemic toxin that affects other organs, as well as the liver.
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006971:Hypersplenism / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010198:Pancytopenia / Q000209:etiology; D011170:Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical; D012008:Recurrence