title: The hyperdynamic circulation of chronic liver diseases: from the patient to the molecule.
abstract: The hyperdynamic circulatory syndrome observed in chronic liver diseases is a great example of research that originated from clinical observations and progressed in the last 50 years from the patient to the experimental laboratory. Our knowledge has evolved from the patient to the molecule, using experimental models that serve as a source for understanding the complex pathophysiological mechanisms that govern this complex syndrome. We now know that progressive vasodilatation is central to the detrimental effects observed in multiple organs. Although nitric oxide has been shown to be the primary vasodilator molecule in these effects, other molecules also participate in the complex mechanisms of vasodilatation. This review summarizes three major areas: first, clinical observation in patients; second, experimental models used to study the hyperdynamic circulatory syndrome; and third, the vasodilator molecules that play roles in vascular abnormalities observed in portal hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA.
authors.forename: Yasuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Iwakiri
authors.forename: Roberto J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Groszmann
mesh_terms: D053607:Adrenomedullin; D000818:Animals; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000502:physiology; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000502:physiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000378:metabolism; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000209:etiology; D008099:Liver / Q000098:blood supply; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D010455:Peptides / Q000502:physiology; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000502:physiology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001685:Biological Factors; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D010455:Peptides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C067410:endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization factor; D053607:Adrenomedullin; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide