Portal hypertension is a medical condition characterized by increased pressure in the portal vein. Portal vein is the blood vessel which drains blood from the gastrointestinal tract, spleen and pancreas into liver. Normal pressure in the portal vein is considered between 5 and 10 mm Hg.
Portal hypertension causes are classified into three categories: pre-hepatic, hepatic and post-hepatic causes.
Portal hypertension is frequently present in cirrhosis, which is a severe consequence of chronic hepatitis.
Portal hypertension shows no symptoms, but leads to severe complications, including: acute gastrointestinal variceal bleeding, ascites, splenomegaly and portal-systemic encephalopathy.