Definition 488

Pathophysiology 488

Clinical features 489

Causes 490

Investigations 491

Management 492

Portal hypertension is increased blood pressure within the portal venous system and defined as an increase in the pressure gradient between the portal veins and the hepatic veins (>5 mmHg).

The portal vein carries nutrient-rich blood to the liver from the GI tract and spleen. At the hilum of the liver it divides into the major right and left portal veins. Within the liver these veins undergo further divisions to supply each segment, and terminate in small branches, which pierce the limiting plate of the portal tract and enter the hepatic sinusoids through small channels (...