a patient has portal hypertension induced splenomegaly. which lab value

by Noah Monahan I 7 min read

Portal Hypertension - Hepatic and Biliary Disorders

19 hours ago Portal hypertension is caused most often by cirrhosis (in developed countries), schistosomiasis (in endemic areas), or hepatic vascular abnormalities. Complications can include acute variceal bleeding (with a high mortality rate), ascites, splenomegaly, and portosystemic encephalopathy. Diagnose portal hypertension based on clinical findings. >> Go To The Portal


What is the pathophysiology of splenomegaly?

Portal hypertension is caused most often by cirrhosis (in developed countries), schistosomiasis (in endemic areas), or hepatic vascular abnormalities. Complications can include acute variceal bleeding (with a high mortality rate), ascites, splenomegaly, and portosystemic encephalopathy. Diagnose portal hypertension based on clinical findings.

What is the difference between hypersplenism and splenomegaly?

Mar 15, 2011 · There are several complications of Portal Hypertension (PH), including one of the most precarious side effects called Esophageal Varices (covered in a previous post), and of lesser degrees are the conditions of ascites, and splenomegaly . Ascites takes place when excess fluid accumulates between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal organs.

What is the pathophysiology of portal hypertension?

A patient has portal hypertension-induced splenomegaly. Which lab value would the healthcare professional associate with this condition? a. Low white blood cell count b. Low platelet count c. High red cell count d. High hemoglobin and hematocrit ANS: B Thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet count) is the most common manifestation of congestive splenomegaly and can …

What is the priority in the workup of splenomegaly?

Normal portal vein pressures range from 5–10 mm Hg. The term portal hypertension refers to elevated pressures in the portal venous system. Venous pressure more than 5 mm Hg greater than the inferior vena cava pressure is defined as portal hypertension. Clinically it may be difficult to detect portal hypertension until pressures are much higher.

What is the most common manifestation of splenomegaly caused by portal hypertension?

Splenomegaly or enlargement of the spleen. Because of portal hypertension, blood backs up, and this also can trap the components of blood (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) within the spleen causing anemia and thrombocytopenia (low platelet count in the bloodstream).

How is portal hypertension diagnosed?

How is portal hypertension diagnosed?
  1. Lab tests. You may have various blood tests. A low platelet count is the most common sign of portal hypertension.
  2. Imaging tests. These give your provider pictures of the liver or blood flow in the liver. ...
  3. Endoscopic exam. This is done to see inside the upper digestive tract.

Does portal hypertension cause systemic hypertension?

Portal hypertension leads to the development of the hyperdynamic circulatory syndrome, characterized by decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP), decreased systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and increased cardiac index (CI).

What is the pathophysiology of portal hypertension?

Portal hypertension is characterized by a pathologic increase in portal venous pressure that leads to the formation of an extensive network of portosystemic collaterals that divert a large fraction of portal blood to the systemic circulation, bypassing the liver.

How does splenomegaly cause portal hypertension?

In this condition, splenomegaly is not only caused by portal congestion, but it is mainly due to tissue hyperplasia and fibrosis. The increase in spleen size is followed by an increase in splenic blood flow, which participates in portal hypertension actively congesting the portal system.

Why is Saag high in portal hypertension?

The increase in hydrostatic pressure causes more fluid to leave the circulation into the peritoneal space (ascites). The SAAG subsequently increases because there is more free fluid leaving the circulation, concentrating the serum albumin.

How does portal hypertension cause caput medusae?

The increased blood in your portal vein leads to portal hypertension. With nowhere else to go, some of the blood tries to flow through nearby veins around the bellybutton, called the periumbilical veins. This produces the pattern of enlarged blood vessels known as caput medusae.

How does portal hypertension cause splanchnic vasodilation?

An increase in splanchnic blood flow in portal hypertension is the result of a marked vasodilation of arterioles in splanchnic organs, which drain blood into the portal venous system[35].

What is caput medusae and its cause?

Caput medusae is the name for a cluster of swollen veins in your abdomen. The swelling usually appears around the belly button, and the veins branch out from a central point. They are typically painless, but they are a symptom of circulatory problems that are often related to liver disease.‌Jun 2, 2021

What are the 3 categories of portal hypertension?

With regard to the liver itself, causes of portal hypertension usually are classified as prehepatic, intrahepatic, and posthepatic.Nov 30, 2017

Why does liver cause portal hypertension?

The most common cause of portal hypertension is cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. Cirrhosis results from the healing of a liver injury caused by hepatitis, alcohol abuse or other causes of liver damage. In cirrhosis, the scar tissue blocks the flow of blood through the liver and slows its processing functions.Nov 16, 2017

What causes splenomegaly in PH patients?

There are several other causes to splenomegaly which include diseases of the blood, liver, cancers, and infections but in the case of PH sufferers the cause is clotting to the portal and splenic veins.

What are the complications of portal hypertension?

Ascites and Splenomegaly. There are several complications of Portal Hypertension (PH), including one of the most precarious side effects called Esophageal Varices (covered in a previous post), and of lesser degrees are the conditions of ascites, and splenomegaly . Ascites takes place when excess fluid accumulates between the lining ...

What are the side effects of portal hypertension?

There are several complications of Portal Hypertension (PH), including one of the most precarious side effects called Esophageal Varices (covered in a previous post), and of lesser degrees are the conditions of ascites, and splenomegaly . Ascites takes place when excess fluid accumulates between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal organs.

What is the function of the spleen?

The spleen is an organ that is part of the lymph system. The spleen’s role is to filter blood and to maintain healthy red and white blood cells and platelets. To clarify, your spleen acts like a spongy filter for your blood.

What is portal hypertension?

Portal hypertension is a pressurein the portal venous system that is at least 5 mm Hg higher than the pressure in the inferior vena cava. This increased pressureresults from a functional obstruction to blood flow from any point in the portal system's origin (in the splanchnic bed) through thehepatic veins (exit into the systemic circulation) or from an increase in blood flow in the system.

What is the most common cause of portal hypertension?

Cirrhosis is the most common cause of portal hypertension, and chronic viral hepatitis C is the most common cause of cirrhosis in the United States. Alcohol-inducedliver disease and cholestatic liver diseases are other common causes of cirrhosis. Less common causes include hemochromatosis, alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency,drug-induced liver disease, and (in Eastern countries) hepatitis B. Portal hypertension is considered an advanced complication of cirrhosis. Once it has developed, theterm "decompensated cirrhosis" is used (Figure 5).

What is the purpose of shunting in portal hypertension?

The aim of surgical shunting in portal hypertension is threefold: 1) to reduce portal venous pressure, 2) to maintain hepatic and portal blood flow, and 3) to try toreduce or not complicate hepatic encephalopathy ( Figure 16). Currently, there is no procedure that reliably and consistently fulfills all of these criteria.

What is the normal portal vein pressure?

Venous pressure morethan 5 mm Hg greater than the inferior vena cava pressure is defined as portal hypertension. Clinically it may be difficult to detect portal hypertension until pressuresare much higher. There are many causes of portal hypertension including etiologies above the liver, within the liver, and below the liver.

Is portal pressure measurement invasive?

Clinically it is used toassess the efficacy of pharmacological agents or shunting procedures. Most approaches to portal pressure measurement are relatively invasive, with the exception of newer endoscopic techniques.

What is the standard diagnostic approach in patients with acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage after initial resuscitation

Endoscopy is the standard diagnostic approach in patients with acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage after initial resuscitation. In most patients with cirrhosis (60–80%)bleeding is related to esophageal varices. In addition to making a definitive diagnosis, endoscopic therapy may be indicated for bleeding. Endoscopic examinationmay require endotracheal intubation in patients who have significant alteration in mental status as a result of severe hepatic decompensation.

Is portal venous hypertension life threatening?

Complications secondary to portal venous hypertension can be life threatening and are often the main indication for transplantation in patients with advanced liverdisease. Although there are several collaterals between portal and systemic venous circulation, those at the junction of the stomach and esophagus are particularlyimportant. The dilated portosystemic collaterals at the junction of the stomach and esophagus are termed varices (Figure 20).

Is portal hypertension invasive?

Pressure measurement of the portal system is possible, but it is invasive and usually not practical. Portal hypertension is a term for elevated pressures in the blood vessels that drain the intestinal tract and spleen into the liver (portal circulation).

What causes hypertension in the portal venous system?

Any condition or abnormality that changes the blood flow, and therefore the pressure within the vessels, can cause hypertension. The cause of the increased pressure in the portal venous system may be above the liver (suprahepatic), within the liver (hepatic) or below the liver (infrahepatic), and may include cardiac disease, ...

What causes hypertension in the liver?

Any condition or abnormality that changes the blood flow, and therefore the pressure within the vessels, can cause hypertension. The cause of the increased pressure in the portal venous system may be above the liver (suprahepatic), within the liver (hepatic) or below the liver (infrahepatic), and may include cardiac disease, hepatic vein thrombosis (Budd-Chiari syndrome), cirrhosis and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) within the splenic vasculature.

What are the symptoms of portal hypertension?

Gastrointestinal bleeding with a low platelet count may be the first symptom of portal hypertension. Depending on the severity of liver disease, symptoms may also include ascites (fluid collection in the abdominal cavity), jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy, coagulopathy (slow clotting), or spider angiomata.

Is portal hypertension a degenerative disease?

No . Portal hypertension is the result of structural changes within the liver that cause increased resistance in blood flow and increased pressure within the vessels. Cirrhosis is a chronic degenerative disease of the liver in which the organ becomes fibrotic with changes in the cells and connective tissue.

What is the name of the blood vessel that has dilated due to high pressure?

These increased pressures lead to dilations of the vessels called varices. Depending on the severity of liver disease and/or portal hypertension, varices may develop in the esophagus and in the stomach. Varices are blood vessels that have dilated due to higher pressure.

When to do endoscopy for GI bleed?

It is performed as soon after an upper GI bleed as possible, ideally within 12 hours or when the patient is stabilized. Varices are visible in the esophagus as long bluish bulging columns along the surface of the esophagus.

Which test is used to confirm splenomegaly?

Testing. If confirmation of splenomegaly is necessary because the examination is equivocal, ultrasonography is the test of choice because of its accuracy and low cost. CT and MRI may provide more detail of the organ’s consistency. MRI is especially useful in detecting portal or splenic vein thromboses.

What is the best test for splenomegaly?

If confirmation of splenomegaly is necessary because the examination is equivocal, ultrasonography is the test of choice because of its accuracy and low cost. CT and MRI may provide more detail of the organ’s consistency. MRI is especially useful in detecting portal or splenic vein thromboses. Nuclear scanning is accurate and can identify accessory splenic tissue often found after splenectomy due to "work hypertrophy" of overlooked splenules or fragments released from a fractured spleen at the time of surgery. Occasionally, multiple spleen remnants can be found throughout the abdomen, often embedded in the neighboring pancreas, a condition called splenosis.

Is splenomegaly a secondary disorder?

Splenomegaly is almost always secondary to other disorders. Causes of splenomegaly are myriad, as are the many possible ways of classifying them (see table Common Causes of Splenomegaly ). In temperate climates, the most common causes are. Connective tissue disorders. Lymphoproliferative disorders.

What causes splenomegaly in temperate climates?

In temperate climates, the most common causes are. Connective tissue disorders. Lymphoproliferative disorders. Myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Can splenomegaly cause satiety?

However, splenomegaly itself may cause early satiety by encroachment of the enlarged spleen on the stomach. Fullness and left upper quadrant abdominal pain are also possible. Sudden, severe pain suggests splenic infarction. Recurrent infections, symptoms of anemia, or bleeding manifestations suggest cytopenia and possible hypersplenism.

What is the sensitivity of ultrasound for palpation?

The sensitivity for detection of ultrasound-documented splenic enlargement is 60 to 70% for palpation and 60 to 80% for percussion. Up to 3% of normal, thin, people have a palpable spleen. Also, a palpable left upper quadrant mass may indicate a problem other than an enlarged spleen such as a hypernephroma.

What does it mean when you have a palpable left upper quadrant mass?

Also, a palpable left upper quadrant mass may indicate a problem other than an enlarged spleen such as a hypernephroma. Other helpful signs include a splenic friction rub and shoulder pain that suggest splenic infarction as well as epigastric or splenic bruits that may occur due to increased blood flow.