Pathogenesis of portal hypertension.
Portal hypertension is defined by an elevation in portal pressure and is associated with haemodynamic alterations. Haemodynamic changes are characterized by a hyperdynamic circulation in the splanchnic and systemic territories and a reduced pressure effect of vasoconstrictive substances. They were observed in both patients and animals with different types of portal hypertension. In this review, the main results and their mechanisms of the splanchnic and systemic haemodynamic alterations in portal hypertension are discussed.
Lebrec
D
D
Laboratoire d'Hémodynamique Splanchnique et de Biologie Vasculaire, INSERM U-481, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France. ebrec@bichat.inserm.fr
Moreau
R
R
D000818:Animals; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation / Q000502:physiology
D009569:Nitric Oxide