Skip navigation | ||
|
||
Medical Encyclopedia |
|
Other encyclopedia topics: | A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
Contents of this page: | |
|
|
Alternative names Return to top
Budd-Chiari syndrome; Hepatic veno-occlusive diseaseDefinition Return to top
Hepatic vein obstruction refers to a blockage of the hepatic vein, which carries blood away from the liver.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Hepatic vein obstruction prevents blood from flowing out of the liver and back to the heart. This blockage can cause liver damage. Obstruction of this vein can be caused by masses pressing on the vessel (tumor) or by thrombus (clot) formation within the vessel.
Most often, it is caused by conditions that increase the body's propensity to form blood clots. These include:
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Treatment Return to top
Treatment varies, depending on the cause of the obstruction, and may include the following:
Complications Return to top
Hepatic vein obstruction can progress to liver failure, which can be fatal.Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of hepatic vein obstruction or if you are undergoing treatment and any new symptoms develop. Update Date: 7/16/2004 Updated by: Christian Stone, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Home | Health Topics | Drug Information | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Selection Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |