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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 7, 2014; 20(25): 8005-8010
Published online Jul 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i25.8005
Published online Jul 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i25.8005
Peculiar characteristics of portal-hepatic hemodynamics of alcoholic cirrhosis
Massimo Bolognesi, Alberto Verardo, Marco Di Pascoli, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Azienda Ospedaliera Università di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
Author contributions: Bolognesi M, Verardo A and Di Pascoli M have given substantial contributions to conception and design of the review, for drafting the article and revising it; all authors have given final approval of the version to be published.
Correspondence to: Massimo Bolognesi, MD, PhD, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Azienda Ospedaliera Università di Padova, Clinica Medica 5, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy. massimo.bolognesi@unipd.it
Telephone: +39-49-8212383 Fax: +39-49-8754179
Received: October 24, 2013
Revised: December 31, 2013
Accepted: February 26, 2014
Published online: July 7, 2014
Revised: December 31, 2013
Accepted: February 26, 2014
Published online: July 7, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Patients with alcoholic cirrhosis develop portal hypertension and hemodynamics alterations similarly to patients with cirrhosis of other etiologies, but some specific features can be observed. Compared to viral cirrhosis, sinusoidal pressure is generally higher, hepatic venous pressure gradient reflects portal pressure better, the portal flow perfusing the liver is reduced despite an increase in liver weight, the prevalence of reversal portal blood flow is higher, a patent paraumbilical vein is a more common finding and signs of hyperdynamic circulations, such as an increased cardiac output and decreased systemic vascular resistance, are more pronounced.