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portosystemic gradient; hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG)

In reference to the pressure gradient between the portal vein & the inferior vena cava. Normal range: - < 10 mm Hg is normal [2] Clinical significance: - major factor in the development of esophageal varices - > 20 mm Hg predicts poor outcome after hemorrage [2] Pathology: - cirrhosis of the liver impedes blood flow from the portal vein into the liver, resulting in a high pressure system in the portal vein - increased accessory pathway use leads to esopageal varices & gastric varices

General

pressure gradient

References

  1. Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999
  2. Veterans Administration, Mather CA, gramd rounds, Nov 17, 2005