Relationship between directly measured portal pressure gradient and variceal hemorrhage.
OBJECTIVE
It is commonly believed that variceal hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension does not occur below a portal pressure gradient (PPG) of 12 mm Hg. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between directly measured portal pressure gradient and variceal hemorrhage.


METHODS
The procedure of insertion of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt (TIPSS) for variceal hemorrhage provides access to the portal vein and allows direct measurement of the portal pressure. Right atrial, inferior vena caval, and portal pressure were recorded, and the PPG was calculated (portal pressure-inferior vena caval pressure) in 48 patients undergoing TIPSS for variceal hemorrhage.


RESULTS
PPG was reduced from a mean of 21.4 (6.4) before TIPSS to 10.6 (3.1) mm Hg after the procedure. Seven patients (14.7%) had a baseline portal pressure gradient of < 12 mm Hg.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study do not support the concept of a discrete bleeding threshold.
D016280:Atrial Function, Right / Q000502:physiology; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017082:Portal Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D011170:Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D015607:Stents; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000503:physiopathology