title: Theoretical and practical considerations in the treatment of portal hypertension secondary to hepatic cirrhosis.
abstract: Portal hypertension related to hepatic cirrhosis produces significant alterations in portal blood flow, pressures, blood volume, and systemic hemodynamics. These alterations decrease portal blood flow to the hepatic parenchyma with measurable decreases in hepatic parenchymal function. The development of bleeding esophagogastric varices and the methods used to treat this complication are all unsatisfactory either in the short or long term. Portal systemic shunting, in particular, further decreases portal flow to the liver with deleterious effects on hepatic cellular function. Pharmacologic methods to decrease the risk of variceal bleeding are the most promising recent development in the care of these patients.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008102:Liver Circulation; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011170:Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D011433:Propranolol