PORTAL HYPERTENSION

Portal hypertension refers to elevated blood pressure within the portal venous system, which carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver. It commonly results from liver cirrhosis due to chronic liver disease or other conditions that obstruct blood flow through the liver. Increased pressure can lead to serious complications such as variceal bleeding, ascites (abdominal fluid accumulation), and hepatic encephalopathy (brain dysfunction due to liver failure). Management involves treating the underlying cause, controlling symptoms with medications, and sometimes performing procedures like transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) or surgical interventions to alleviate pressure and reduce risks associated with portal hypertension.