Correlations between the degree of portal hypertension and the degree of liver failure in liver cirrhosis

Abstract

CORRELATIONS BETWEEN THE DEGREE OF PORTAL HYPERTENSION AND THE DEGREE OF LIVER FAILURE IN LIVER CIRRHOSIS E. Buzatu M. Mihaila. L. Micu Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatology, Fundeni Hospital, Bucharest, Romania. Aim of the study. To establish correlations between liver failure and portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis (LC). Material and method. 35 patients diagnosed with Child A LC were supervised 5 years by elinico-biologieal evaluations (liver function tests, standard and Doppler US, endoscopy). Results. The diameter of the splenic vein was correlated with the degree of liver failure (14.8:L-0.4 mm in Child C vs. 10-~.5 mm in Child A, p<0.001), while the diameter of the porta vein was not influenced. The splanehnic and hepatic arterial flows also correlated with the degree of liver failure: 1252+123 mL/min in Child C vs. 910+128 mL/min in Child A (p<0.001), respectively 540-1-112 mL/min in Child C vs. 470+112 mL/min in Child A (p<0.001). Portal flow was not influenced by liver failure. Esophageal varices also correlated with the degree of liver failure (significantly higher percentage of III-rd and IV-th degree variees in Child C). Conclusions. 1. The mean portal flow does not present significant changes according to the degree of liver failure, while the splanchnic and hepatic arterial flows increase significantly. 2. The degree of esophageal varices is correlated with the degree of liver failure. Cirrhosis and its complications, pathophysiology and clinical aspects