title: Portal hypertension and variceal hemorrhage.
abstract: Portal hypertension, a major hallmark of cirrhosis, is defined as a portal pressure gradient exceeding 5 mm Hg. In portal hypertension, porto-systemic collaterals decompress the portal circulation and give rise to varices. Successful management of portal hypertension and its complications requires knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology, the pertinent anatomy, and the natural history of the collateral circulation, particularly the gastroesophageal varices.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, MCV, Box 980341, Richmond, VA 23298-0341, USA.
authors.forename: Nagib
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Toubia
authors.forename: Arun J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Sanyal
mesh_terms: D003097:Collateral Circulation; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006490:Hemostatics; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D008026:Ligation; D019168:Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic; D011706:Pyloric Antrum / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D015911:Sclerotherapy; D014667:Vasopressins
chemical_list: D006490:Hemostatics; D014667:Vasopressins