Measurement of portal pressure and its role in the management of chronic liver disease.
Portal hypertension is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in liver cirrhosis. This article provides a background on the most important aspects of the evaluation of portal hypertension in patients with chronic liver diseases, with special attention to the measurement of portal pressure by hepatic vein catheterization. The rationale, technique, applications, costs, and limitations of measurements of the hepatic venous pressure gradient are thoroughly reviewed. Emerging, noninvasive methodologies for the evaluation of the patient with portal hypertension are also discussed.
Bosch
Jaime
J
Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Liver Unit, Institut de Malalties Digestives, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Spain.
Garcia-Pagán
Juan Carlos
JC
Berzigotti
Annalisa
A
Abraldes
Juan G
JG
D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017082:Portal Pressure / Q000502:physiology