Portal Hypertension

Question 1

What are the causes?

Answer 1

Pre-hepatic = thrombosis (portal or splenic vein)
Intra-hepatic = liver cirrhosis (80% in UK), schistosomiasis (commonest worldwide)
Post-hepatic = right heart failure, constrictive pericarditis

Question 2

What can be found on examination?

Answer 2

JVP elevation (if RHF causing portal hypertension)

Question 3

What are the complications?

Answer 3

Gastro-oesophageal varices: massive GI bleed
Caput medusae
Rectal varices