Glossary
Hepatic Encephalopathy: Mental status (neuropsychiatric) changes ranging from forgetfulness and irritability to confusion to full coma. Caused by neurotoxin accumulation due to portosytemic shunting asssociated with portal hypertension.Ascites: Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal (abdominal) cavity.
Esophageal Varix (plural--Varices): Thin walled blood vessels in the esophagous resulting from portal hypertension.
TIPS: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. A minimally invasive procedure where a shunt is placed in the liver to relieve portal hypertension.
Hepatic Vein Wedge Pressure Gradient (HVPG): Indirect measure of portal pressure using a catheter in the hepatic vein via the jugular vein. Normal is <5 mmHg, symptomatic portal hypertension is >10 mmHg.
