![]() ![]() ![]() Several important themes emerge from a consideration of the history of the field. Indeed, seminal observations of patients with portal hypertension, and its major complications of ascites and esophageal variceal hemorrhage, provided a strong foundation for our present-day knowledge of the hepatic circulation (Table 134–1). HISTORY The hepatic vasculature has been the subject of interest for millennia. This chapter examines the structure and function of the hepatic macrocirculation, with an emphasis on cirrhotic portal hypertension as a paradigm of hepatic vascular disease and endothelial cell (EC) heterogeneity. Any one of these segments of the hepatic circulation – the hepatic artery, portal vein, sinusoids, hepatic vein – may be inflicted by disease, with sometimes devastating consequences. Blood from the hepatic artery and portal vein supplies the liver sinusoids and ultimately drains into the hepatic vein. The liver, like the lung, receives a dual blood supply 70% of total hepatic blood flow is from the portal vein, and 30% from the hepatic artery. The hepatic circulation is a low-pressure vascular bed that accommodates large volumes of blood (1).Total hepatic blood flow in humans is approximately 1,500 mL/min and accounts for 15% to 20% of cardiac output. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |