title: Portal hypertensive gastropathy.
abstract: Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) is part of a complex syndrome which occurs as a complication of chronic liver disease and portal hypertension (PHTN). At endoscopy, the gastric mucosa shows that mosaic-like pattern and red marks, which are the source of gastric bleeding. Only the severe form of gastropathy is liable to bleed. The pathogenesis of PHG and the hemodynamic changes in PHTN are not completely understood, but chronic increase in portal pressure is a prerequisite for the development of this disorder. It has been suggested that an overproduction of endogenous vasodilators and a reduced vascular sensitivity to endogenous vasoconstrictors contribute to these circulatory disturbances. H2 receptor antagonists and sucralfate are ineffective in the management of bleeding PHG. Two small studies reported that propranolol is effective in arresting mucosal hemorrhage from severe PHG. Other feasible alternatives include transjugular intrahepatic portal-systemic shunt (TIPS) and portal-systemic shunt procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA.
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Trevino
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schenker
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D008833:Microcirculation; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013577:Syndrome