Abstract

MUNOZ, Octavio; FERRUSQUIA-ACOSTA, José; SERNA-PATINO, Laura M.  and  CARDENAS, Andrés. Diagnostic methods of portal hypertension. Rev. colomb. Gastroenterol. [online]. 2021, vol.36, n.2, pp.218-226.  Epub Nov 24, 2021. ISSN 0120-9957.  https://doi.org/10.22516/25007440.692.

Portal hypertension is characterized by an increase in the portal pressure gradient, which is defined as the difference between the portal venous pressure and the pressure within the inferior vena cava. Such a pressure depends on venous flow and vascular resistance. In patients with cirrhosis, both variables are altered, initially due to fibrosis-dependent structural injury and regeneration nodules, and subsequently by vascular dynamic changes that cause intrahepatic vasoconstriction and splanchnic vasodilation, which explains the systemic manifestations of cirrhosis. The importance of portal hypertension lies in the frequency and severity of associated complications, especially variceal hemorrhage, but also ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, and hepatic encephalopathy. The objective of this article is to carry out an updated review on the use of invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tests available for the study of portal hypertension and their application in clinical practice.

Keywords : Portal hypertension; Portal system; Hepatic cirrosis.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English | Spanish     · English ( pdf ) | Spanish ( pdf )