The document discusses portal hypertension, including: - Anatomy of the portal vein and causes of increased portal pressure. - Cirrhosis of the liver is a leading cause of portal hypertension due to obstruction of blood flow through the liver. - Consequences of portal hypertension include splenomegaly, variceal bleeding, and ascites. - Investigations involve assessing liver function and imaging tests to identify varices. - Treatment depends on severity but may include band ligation, sclerotherapy, drugs, or shunt surgery to reduce portal pressure.

1. Portal Hypertension
By
Dr. GOUDA ELLABBAN
Ass. Prof. of General and
hepatobiliary surgery

2. Portal vein anatomy
The portal vein is formed in front of IVC and
behind the neck of the pancreas ( at the level
of 2nd lumber vertebra ) by union of the
splenic & SMV.
It is 7-8 cm in length & contains no valves.
It courses in the lesser omentum posterior to
both the common hepatic artery & common
bile duct.

3. Portal vein anatomy
It bifurcates into the Lt & Rt trunks in , or just
below the hillum of the liver.
Its main tributaries are :
The coronary (Lt gastric) vein.
Pyloric vein.
Cystic vein.
Pancreaticodudenal vein.
Ligamentum teres (umbilical vein).
Ligamentum venosum.

4. Portal vein anatomy

5. Portal vein anatomy
The portal venous branches ramify in an
arterial like pattern and end in dilated
channels called sinusoids, which are
equivalent to systemic capillaries.
From here blood drains into the hepatic
venous system.
The normal portal pressure is 5-7 mmHg (8-
12 cm of water).
Portal hypertension is present when the
portal vein pressure exceeds 12 mmHg

6. Causes of portal hypertension
Increased resistance to flow
A) Pre-hepatic (portal vein obstruction):
1- congenital atresia or stenosis.
2- thrombosis of portal vein.
3- thrombosis of splenic vein.
4- Extrinsic compression (e.g , tumor).

7. Causes of portal hypertension
B) Intra-hepatic:
1- liver cirrhosis  obstruction is
sinusoidal & post-sinusoidal.
2- bilharzial periportal fibrosis 
obstruction is pre-sinusoidal.

8. Causes of portal hypertension
The causes of portal hypertension in cirrhotic
patients are:
Diminution of the total vascular bed by
obliteration, distortion, & compression of
sinusoids.
Compression of the tiny radicals of portal &
hepatic veins by excessive fibrosis.
Development of multiple arteriovenous
shunts between the branches of the hepatic
artery & portal vein.

9. Causes of portal hypertension
C) Post-hepatic:
1- Budd-Chiari syndrome ( hepatic vein
thrombosis )  prominent ascites
,hepatomegaly & abdominal pain.
2- Veno-occlusive disease.
3- Cardiac disease:
a- constrictive pericarditis.
b- valvuar heart disease.
c- right heart failure.

10. Causes of portal hypertension
Increased portal blood flow
A) Arterial-portal venous fistula.
B) Increased splenic flow:
1- Banti’s syndrome
( liver disease secondary to splenic disease,
result from cirrhosis & other hepatic
disorders)
2- Splenomegaly (e.g tropical splenomegaly
,hematologic diseases).

11. Sequelae & Clinical picture
1- Porto-systemic collaterals:
In normal conditinos  collapsed.
In portal hypertension  engorged 
divert blood away from the portal
circulation.

12. Sequelae & Clinical picture
The important sites of these collaterals
are:
a) At the lower end of oesophagus
Oesophageal tributaries of Lt gastric vein (portal)
Oesophageal tributaries of hemiazygous vein
(systemic).
b) Around the umbilicus
Para umbilical vein (portal)
Superior & inferior epigastric veins (systemic)

13. Sequelae & Clinical picture
c) Lower rectum & analcanal
Superior rectal vein (portal)
Middle & Inferior rectal veins (systemic)
d) At the back of the colon
Rt & Lt colic veins (portal)
Rt & Lt renal veins (systemic)
e) Retroperitoneum
Tributaries of superior & inferior mesentric veins { Retzius }
(portal)
Posterior abdominal & subdiaphragmatic veins (systemic)

14. Portal vein collaterals

15. Sequelae & Clinical picture
2- Splenomegaly
The most constant physical finding.
In 80% of patients regardless the cause.
* In Bilharzial cases :
at 1st due to reticuloendothelial hyperplasia
due to absorption of bilharsial toxins.
With progress of portal hypertension  due
to congestion.

16. Sequelae & Clinical picture
3- Congestion of the whole GIT
Leads to anorexia, dyspepsia, indigestion, and
malabsorption.
4- Bleeding varices.
5-Ascites (multifactorial)
Portal hypertension alone cannot cause ascites.
Hypoalbuminaemia  below 3 gm/100 ml.
Salt &water retention high level of aldosterone,
oestrogens & anti-duretic hormone.
Increased lymphatic transudation from liver surface.

17. Investigations
1. Assessment of liver function tests
(a) Hypoalbuminaemia.
The liver is the only site of albumin synthesis.
(b) ALT & AST are moderately raised.
(c) Prothrombin time and concentration
are disturbed.
This test is the most sensitive liver function.

18. Investigations
2. Detection of oesophageal varices by:
(a) Fibreoptic upper endoscopy
(b) Barium swallow can visualize varices in
90% of cases.
They appear as multiple, smooth, rounded filling
defects (honey-comb appearance)
(c) Duplex scan can show dilated portal vein
and collaterals.

19. Detection of oesophageal varices

20. Investigations
3. Detection of splenic sequestration
and hypersplenism.
(a) Blood picture  anaemia, leucopenia,
thrombocytopenia or pancytopenia.
(b) Bone marrow examination  hypercellularity.
(c) Radioactive isotope studies :
using the patients own RBCs tagged with 51Cr
 diminished half life of RBCs & increased
radioactivity over the spleen.

21. Investigations
4. Diagnosis of the aetiology of liver
disease is performed by:
(a) Immunological tests for hepatitis
markers.
(b) Liver biopsy after assessment of
prothrombin time and concentration.

22. Child Pugh classification
Points
1 2 3
Bilirubin (mg/dL) < 2 2 – 3 > 3
Albumin (g/dL) > 3.5 2.8 – 3.5 < 2.8
Prothrombin time (seconds) 1 – 3 4 – 6 > 6
Ascites None Slight Moderate
Encephalopathy None Minimal Advanced
Grade A, 5-6 points; Grade B, 7-9 points; Grade C, 10-15 points

23. Treatment
Management of patients with actively bleeding
oesophageal varices
1. Admission.
The patient should be admitted to hospital.
2. Resuscitation.
A wide bore cannula is inserted.
A blood sample is taken.
Restoration of blood volume should be rapid.
Overexpansion of the circulation should be avoided .
Morphine and Pethidine are contraindicated.

24. Treatment
3. Correct coagulopathy.
Vitamin K is administered intravenously.
4. Prevent encephalopathy.
Blood in the intestine will be fermented to ammonia and other
nitrogenous products.
Repeated enemas.
Oral lactulose.
This is a disaccharide sugar, fermented by the intestinal flora 
lactic acid  combines with ammonia.
Neomycin 0.5 gm every 4 hours can reduce the bacterial flora.

25. Treatment
Sclerotherapy
Intra- or Para- Variceal.
1-3 ml sclerosant (ethanolamine oleate).
Occludes venous channels.
Multiple sessions (2 weekly).
Control bleeding in 80-95 %.
About 50% rebleed.
30% complication rate.

26. Endoscopic Sclerotherapy
Intra-variceal Para-variceal

27. Complications of Sclerotherapy
LOCAL
Ulceration.
Stricture.
Perforation.
Retrosternal discomfort
for few days.
SYSTEMIC
Fever
Pneumonitis
CNS

28. Treatment
Endoscopic Banding
Occludes venous channels
Sessions < sclerotherapy
Same results as sclerotherapy
 complications vs sclerotherapy
Endoscopic treatment of choice

29. Endoscopic Banding

30. Treatment
Drugs
Vasopressin  vasoconstriction of the splanchnic circulation.
Dose  0.2 unit/kg wt, dissolved in 200 ml of 5% dextrose, over
20 minutes.
Disadvantages
colicky abdominal pains, & diarrhoea .
anginal pains, so it is contraindicated in the elderly.
Produce temporary control of bleeding in about 80% of cases.
To prolong its action it is combined with glycine (Glypressin).

31. Treatment
Somatostatin
lower the intravariceal pressure without significant
side effects.
Initial bolus 100 microgram  continuous infusion of
25 microgram / h for 24 hs.
Beta blockare
 bleeding by  cardiac output.
Does 20-60 mg bid  25%  in HR.
Reduces 40% of bleeding episodes
Does not reduce mortality

32. Treatment
Balloon tamponade by Sengestaken or
Linton tube.
The gastric balloon is inflated first by 200 ml
of air, and pulled upwards to press the
gastric fundus.
If bleeding continues, the oesophageal
balloon is inflated.
The pressure in the oesophageal balloon
should not exceed 40 mm Hg.
This therapy is effective in controlling
bleeding in 80-90% of cases.

33. Treatment
Disadvantages :
Discomfort to the patient.
The patient cannot swallow his saliva
Liability to cause oesophageal ulceration or
stricture.
Once the tube is deflated, there is liability to
rebleeding in 60-80% of patients.
Balloon tamponade is only used as a temporary
measure before sclerotherapy or surgery.

34. Balloon tamponade

35. Treatment
Emergency surgery.
If all the previous measures fail to stop bleeding,
surgery is recommended.
If the general condition of the patient is
satisfactory  splenectomy, portoazygos
disconnection and stapling of the
oesophagus.
If the patient is not very fit  stapling alone
can be performed.

36. Treatment
Trans-juguJar Intra-hepatic Porto-
Systemic Shunt ( TIPSS )

37. Treatment
Indications for TIPSS:
Refractory bleeding
Prior to transplant
Child C
Refractory ascites
Main early complication:
Perforation of liver capsule  massive
haemorrhage.

38. Treatment
Treatment of patients with history of
bleeding oesophageal varices:
1. Repeated sclerotherapy until the varices
are obliterated is the first choice.
2. Elective surgery is mainly indicated if
sclerotherapy failed to stop recurrent
attacks of bleeding provided that they are
fit.

39. Treatment
Operations for portal hypertension
Shunt operations.
The idea of these operations is to
lower the portal pressure by shunting
the portal blood away from the liver

40. Total shunt operations
1- Porta-caval operation
End to side Side to side

41. Porta-caval operation
very efficient in lowering the portal
pressure  no bleeding occurs from the
varices.
disadvantages:
deprives the liver of portal blood flow 
accelerates the onset of liver failure.
Recurrent hepatic encephalopathy in 30-
50% of patients.

42. Proximal spleno-renal shunt
indicated if the portal vein
is thrombosed or if
splenectormy is indicated
due to hypersplenism .
The incidence of
encephalopathy is less
than after porta caval
shunt.
it is less effective In
preventing further
bleeding.
If the splenic vein is less
than 1 cm the anastmosis
is liable to thrombosis.

43. Mesocaval (Drapanas) shunt
insertion of a a
synthetic graft as
dacron, or
autogenic vein
between the
superior mesenteric
vein and inferior
vena cava.
The incidence of
thrombosis is high

44. Selective shunt (Warren shunt)
The Rt and Lt gastric vessels
are ligated.
The proximal end of splenic
vein is ligated while the
distal end is anastomosed to
the left renal vein.
The short gastric veins are
preserved and will
selectively decompress the
lower end of the
oesophagus.
The incidence of
encephalopathy is low, and
the liver functions remain
normal.

45. Porta azygos disconnection
operations
There are many techniques for
performing devascularization.
Hassab Khairy operation
splenectomy & ligation of the Rt and Lt
gastric vessels, the short gastric
vessels and the vascular arcade along
the greater curvature of the stomach
leaving only the right gastroepiploic
vessels.

46. All vessels surrounding the lower 5-10
cm of the oesophagus are ligated.
There is no encephalopathy following
this operation and the portal blood flow
is intact.
There is a low incidence of rebleeding
following the operation, but it can
usually be controlled by sclerotherapy.

47. Liver Transplant
Indicated for liver failure
Not for variceal bleeding.
24% in USA die on waiting list

48. Control of Ascites
Sodium / Water Restriction.
Spironolactone.
Loop Diuretic.
Large Volume  Paracentesis.
Peritoneal-Venous Shunt .
TIPSS

50. TIPS
on
Portal Hypertension
for
Surgeons
By
PROF/ GOUDA ELLABBAN

51. VARICEAL BLEEDING
Resuscitation
Treat hemorrhagic shock
Crystalloid (Limited)
Platelets (Rarely)
Red Cells + FFP
Goal: Tissue Perfusion
Monitor: Urine Output
Caveat: Do NOT overload

52. VARICEAL BLEEDING
Initial Treatment
Continue Tx hemorrhagic shock
IV therapy
Sandostatin®
INITIATE WHEN Dx SUSPECTED!!!

53. VARICEAL BLEEDING
Diagnosis
50% UGI bleeds not variceal
(MW Tear, Gastritis, Gastric/Duodenal Ulcer)
Early endoscopy mandatory
Variceal bleeding Dx’d:
Active bleeding
Stigmata
Varices and NO other source

54. VARICEAL BLEEDING
Initial Therapy
Continue I.V. Sandostatin®
Endoscopic Therapy
Sengstaaken-Blakemore tube
TIPS
Emergency operation

55. VARICEAL BLEEDING
Supportive Therapy
Correct coagulopathy
FFP, vitamin K, +/- platelets
Pulmonary
Other infection
Encephalopathy
Nutrition

56. VARICEAL BLEEDING
Evaluation
Child class
History
Hepatitis profile
Angiography
Transplant evaluation

57. Child-Pugh Classification
Points
1 2 3
Bilirubin (mg/dL) < 2 2 – 3 > 3
Albumin (g/dL) > 3.5 2.8 – 3.5 < 2.8
Prothrombin time (seconds ↑) 1 – 3 4 – 6 > 6
Ascites None Slight Moderate
Encephalopathy None Minimal Advanced
Grade A, 5-6 points; Grade B, 7-9 points; Grade C, 10-15 points

58. VARICEAL BLEEDING
Definitive Therapy
Rationale: 67% rebleed
Most rebleed < 6 weeks
Definitive Tx during initial stay

59. VARICEAL BLEEDING
Definitive Therapy
Medical
Endoscopic
Surgical
Radiological

60. VARICEAL BLEEDING
Medical Therapy
Beta blockade
 bleeding by  cardiac output
Goal: 25%  in heart rate
Reduces # bleeding episodes
Does not reduce mortality
Use as adjunct

61. Endoscopic Banding
Occludes venous channels
Multiple sessions + surveillance
>60% rebleed
1/3 fail treatment
 complications vs scleroTx
= /  efficacy vs scleroTx
ENDOSCOPIC Tx OF CHOICE

62. Endoscopic Banding

63. VARICEAL BLEEDING
SURGICAL OPTIONS
Total Shunt
Selective Shunt
Partial Shunt
Non-Shunt

64. Total Shunts
End to Side Portocaval Side to Side Portocaval
Interposition Shunts Central Splenorenal

65. Total Shunt Results
Prevent rebleed > 90%
Thrombosis with graft
Encephalopathy rate 40%

66. Selective Shunts
Goals:
Prevent variceal bleeding and encephalopathy
Mechanism:
Decompress Varices
Maintain Portal Perfusion
Maintain Portal Hypertension
Key:
Decompress only gastrosplenic compartment

67. Distal Splenorenal Shunt

68. DSRS vs Total Shunts
Six randomized trials in N.A.
Mean follow-up 39 mos (1-8 yrs)
OP
MORT
LATE
MORT
SHUNT
OCC ENCEPH
DSRS% 10.9 24.2 7.3 19.8
TOTAL% 8.3 34.7 9.0 34.4

69. Partial Shunts
Ease of portocaval
Limited portal diversion
Maintain some liver perfusion
Short, straight PTFE graft

70. Partial Shunts
Sarfeh
Ann Surg
200:706,1986

71. 8mm (n=14) 16mm (n=16) p Value
SURVIVAL 11 12 n.s.
SHUNT THROMBOSIS 0 0 n.s.
VARICEAL BLEEDING 0 0 n.s
HEPATOPEDAL FLOW 13 0 <0.0001
SHUNT GRADIENT 16 +/-5 6 +/-3 <0.001
COMA 0 5 0.002
Partial Shunts
Randomized trial in ETOH cirrhotics
Follow-up @ 20 +/- 11 mos

72. Non-Shunt Operations
Options
Esophageal transection
Variceal ligation
Devascularize +/- splenectomy
Very limited role

73. Liver Transplant
Indicated for liver failure
Not for variceal bleeding
Number  > 3,500/yr in U.S.
20,000 potential recipients in U.S.
5,000 listed for transplant
24% die on waiting list

74. TIPS
Transjugular Intrahepatic Portocaval Shunt

75. TIPS

76. TIPS
Technically feasible
Complications 9 - 50%
Infection Intraperitoneal Bleeding
Congestive Failure Subcapsular Hematoma
Acute Renal Failure Hemobilia
Mortality (30 day) 3 - 13%
(1) Rossie NEJM 1994;330:165, (2) Rosch Hepatology 1992;16:884,
(3) LaBerge Radiology 1993;187:913.

77. Problems With TIPS
Encephalopathy minimum 15%
Occlusion 33 - 73% @ one year
Rebleeding
18% @ one year (1)
19% @ 4.7 months (3)
(1) Rossie NEJM 1994;330:165, (2) Rosch Hepatology 1992;16:884,
(3) LaBerge Radiology 1993;187:913.

78. The Role For Tips
Refractory bleeding
Bridge to transplant
Child C
(all or only “DZ” ?)
??? refractory ascites
Relative contraindication: Poor f/u

79. Special Cases of
Portal Hypertension

80. Splenic Vein Thrombosis
Etiology:
Pancreatitis - Acute or Chronic
Pancreatic Carcinoma
Hallmark:
Isolated Gastric Varices
Treatment:
Splenectomy (if bleeding)

81. Portal Vein Thrombosis
Etiology:
Congenital - “Cavernous Transformation”
Hallmark:
Normal Liver Function W/ Varices
Treatment:
Endo Tx OR DSRS

82. Budd-Chiari Syndrome
Etiology
Hypercoagulable: Estrogens, XRT, Myeloprolif, PNH
IVC Occlusion: RA Myxoma, Pericarditis, Membrane
Liver Mass
High Dose ChemoTx
Presentation: Classic Triad
Abdominal Pain
Ascites
Hepatomegaly

83. Budd-Chiari Syndrome
Diagnosis
– U/S, CT, Angio
Treatment
– NOT a static disease
– If NO necrosis  Symptomatic Tx
– If necrosis  Shunt (PCS or MAS) or Transplant

84. Some Take Home Points
Child A better than Child C
Start Sandostatin when Dx suspected
β blockade  bleeding by  C.O
Banding safer than scleroTx
TIPS: Encephalopathy & occlusion rate

85. Some Take Home Points
Selective shunt:  encephalopathy
SV Thrombosis: Presentation & Tx
Budd-Chiari: Classic triad
Transplant for liver failure

87. Portal Hypertension
Etiology
PRE-HEPATIC
Portal Vein or Splenic Vein Thrombosis
INTRA-HEPATIC
Cirrhosis (ETOH, Hepatitis, Other Toxins)
POST-HEPATIC
Budd-Chiari

88. Complications of Portal
Hypertension
Ascites
Encephalopathy
Variceal bleeding
–Initial management
–Evaluation
–Definitive therapy
–Special cases

89. Encephalopathy
Etiology: ? Nitrogen compounds
Induced by:
Infection Dehydration
Constipation Blood in gut
No test is diagnostic
Therapy:
Hydrate Cleanse gut
↓ protein Find and treat cause

90. Ascites
Origin:
Sinusoidal pressure > colloid oncotic pressure
Induced by:
Physiologic Stress
IV Fluids
Complications:
Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
“Hepatorenal Syndrome”

91. Control of Ascites
Sodium / Water Restriction
Spironolactone
Loop Diuretic
Large Volume Paracentesis
Peritoneal-Venous Shunt
(?) TIPS

92. VARICEAL BLEEDING
General Approach
Resuscitation
Initial treatment
Support
Evaluation
Definitive therapy

93. Vasopressin
8-Arginine Vasopressin (ADH)
Intense constriction (all beds)
+’s  Mesenteric Flow
 Portal Pressure
Stops Bleeding in >80%
-’s Peripheral Ischemia
Myocardial Ischemia
NTG ’s adverse effects

94. Sandostatin®
Long acting STS analogue
+’s  Mesenteric Flow
 Portal Pressure
Stops bleeding in > 85%
Good as VP but  side effects
-’s Cost
DRUG OF CHOICE

95. Portal Vein Anatomy

96. Portal Vein Collaterals
Five Principle Routes
Veins of Retzius
Umbilical Vein
Hemorrhoids
Adhesions
Esophageal Varices

97. VARICEAL BLEEDING
Sclerotherapy
Intra- or Para- Variceal
Occludes venous channels
Multiple sessions + surveillance
>60% rebleed
1/3 fail treatment
30% complication rate

98. Endoscopic Sclerotherapy
Intravariceal Paravariceal

99. Complications of ScleroTx
LOCAL
Ulceration
Stricture
Perforation
SYSTEMIC
Fever
Pneumonitis
CNS

100. Total Shunts
Divert most (all?) portal flow
Options
Portocaval Shunt (E-S or S-S; +/- Graft)
Interposition Shunt
Central Splenorenal Shunt

101. TIPS

102. Child’s Classification
A B C
Bilirubin < 2 2 – 3 > 3
Albumin > 3.5 2.8 – 3.5 < 2.8
Ascites None Controlled Uncontrolled
Enceph None Minimal Advanced
Nutrition Excellent Good Poor

103. SclTx vs TIPS
Five Randomized Trials - 360 patients
Mean Follow-up 15 mos (1-36)
* p < 0.05 in all but one study
** p < 0.05 in all studies
*** n.s. in all but one study where survival  w/ SclTx
REBLEED* ENCEPH** SURVIV***
SCLTX 37% 8% 88%
TIPS 17% 32% 81%