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Abstract
A new method recently described by Myers & Taylor for measuring portal pres- sure by occlusive catheterization of a hepatic vein was tried on (a) 10 persons showing no symptoms or signs of hepatic disease, on (b) 14 patients with chronic disease of the liver, of whom 10 had liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension syndrome and on (c) 5 patients with congestive heart failure.
a) The occluded hepatic vein pressure recorded in those without apparent liver disease ranged from 3 mm Hg to 10 mm Hg (average 6.4 mm Hg).
b) In the group with cirrhosis, the occluded hepatic vein pressure was increased, the increase usually varying with the severity of clinical symptoms of portal hypertension. In the 10 patients with symptoms of portal hypertension the pressure recorded varied from 12 mm Hg to 27 mm Hg (average 21 mm Hg).
c) failure, 3 of whom had constrictive pericarditis, the level was about the same as that of the systemic vein pressure, i. e. 11 mm Hg -20 mm Hg (average 15 mm Hg).
The pressure recorded in a central, un occluded hepatic vein was low both in apparently healthy persons and patients with cirrhosis, the averages being 4 mm Hg 4.8 mm Hg respectively.
Much suggests that the pressure measured via a catheter occluding a small peripheral branch of the hepatic vein represents pressure in the portal vein, and that method is useful for assessing the degree of portal hypertension.
