Management of portal hypertension and its complications

Portal hypertension is the major adverse consequence of chronic Liver disease. Life-threatening sequelae of portal hypertension include gastroesophageal variceal bleeding, renal failure, infection, and hepatic encephalopathy. Recent years have seen marked progress in the medical, surgical, radiologic, and endoscopic management of these complications based on advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of portal hypertension. Vigilant monitoring of patients with decompensated cirrhosis and portal hypertensive complications also allows determination of the optimal timing for Liver transplantation, if appropriate.