title: Hemodynamic alterations in cirrhosis and portal hypertension.
abstract: Portal hypertension (PHT) is associated with hemodynamic changes in intrahepatic, systemic, and portosystemic collateral circulation. Increased intrahepatic resistance and hyperdynamic circulatory alterations with expansion of collateral circulation play a central role in the pathogenesis of PHT. PHT is also characterized by changes in vascular structure, termed vascular remodeling, which is an adaptive response of the vessel wall that occurs in response to chronic changes in the environment such as shear stress. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, also occurs with PHT related in particular to the expansion of portosystemic collateral circulation. The complementary processes of vasoreactivity, vascular remodeling, and angiogenesis represent important targets for the treatment of portal hypertension. Systemic and splanchnic vasodilatation can induce hyperdynamic circulation which is related with multi-organ failure such as hepatorenal syndrome and cirrhotic cadiomyopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Moon Young
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Soon Koo
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Baik
authors.forename: Samuel S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D003097:Collateral Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006439:Hemodynamics; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000209:etiology*; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation / Q000502:physiology