Portal Hypertension

Portal Hypertension is a build-up of pressure in the portal vein between the liver and the intestines due to fibrosis.

As blood is unable to move through the portal vein, pressure builds throughout the system and reroutes blood flow to lesser veins. Toxins, hormones, and bacteria that are normally filtered by the liver are now allowed to travel through the body.

Complications include increased fluid in the abdomen (ascites), bleeding from small veins unable to support the increased blood flow (varices), and altered mental state due to the toxins released into the system (hepatic encephalopathy).