DIRECT TRANSHEPATIC MEASUREMENT OF PORTAL-VEIN - PRESSURE USING A THIN NEEDLE - COMPARISON WITH WEDGED HEPATIC VEIN PRESSURE

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 72  (4) , 584-589
Abstract
A technique for the direct measurement of portal vein pressure in fully conscious patients was described. This used a percutaneous transhepatic approach with a thin Chiba needle and was simple and safe. The technique was applied to 123 patients with a variety of liver disorders and the pressure measurements were compared with those obtained by the indirect technique of wedge hepatic vein catheterization. Close agreement was found between portal vein pressure and wedged hepatic vein pressure in quiescent alcoholic liver disease and alcoholic hepatitis. In chronic active hepatitis, portal vein pressure tended to be higher than wedged hepatic vein pressure, indicating a presinusoidal component to the portal hypertension. This technique was useful in assessing idiopathic portal hypertension and in demonstrating hepatofugal flow.