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. 2011 Nov 9;1(2):87–93. doi: 10.1016/S0973-6883(11)60127-8

Pathophysiology of Portal Hypertension and Its Clinical Links

Yeon Seok Seo *, Vijay H Shah *,**,*
PMCID: PMC3940250  PMID: 25755320

Abstract

Portal hypertension is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. Intrahepatic vascular resistance due to architectural distortion and intrahepatic vasoconstriction, increased portal blood flow due to splanchnic vasodilatation, and development of collateral circulation have been considered as major factors for the development of portal hypertension. Recently, sinusoidal remodeling and angiogenesis have been focused as potential etiologic factors and various researchers have tried to improve portal hypertension by modulating these new targets. This article reviews potential new treatments in the context of portal hypertension pathophysiology concepts.

Keywords: angiogenesis, pathophysiology, portal hypertension, sinusoids, treatment

Abbreviations: AT, angiotensin; ET-1, endothelin-1; eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase; HSC, hepatic stellate cell; HVPG, hepatic venous pressure gradient; NO, nitric oxide; PDGF, platelet-derived growth factor; PIGF, placenta! growth factor; RAS, renin-angiotensin system; RCT, randomized controlled trial; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor

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