TY - JOUR T1 - Current management of the complications of portal hypertension: variceal bleeding and ascites JF - Canadian Medical Association Journal JO - CMAJ SP - 1433 LP - 1443 DO - 10.1503/cmaj.051700 VL - 174 IS - 10 AU - Nina Dib AU - Frédéric Oberti AU - Paul Calès Y1 - 2006/05/09 UR - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/174/10/1433.abstract N2 - Portal hypertension is one of the main consequences of cirrhosis. It results from a combination of increased intrahepatic vascular resistance and increased blood flow through the portal venous system. The condition leads to the formation of portosystemic collateral veins. Esophagogastric varices have the greatest clinical impact, with a risk of bleeding as high as 30% within 2 years of medium or large varices developing. Ascites, another important complication of advanced cirrhosis and severe portal hypertension, is sometimes refractory to treatment and is complicated by spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepatorenal syndrome. We describe the pathophysiology of portal hypertension and the current management of its complications, with emphasis on the prophylaxis and treatment of variceal bleeding and ascites. ER -