HIPERTENSÃO PORTAL EM CÃES: FISIOPATOLOGIA E DIAGNÓSTICO.

Abstract

Portal hypertension (PH) is the pathological increase in portal vein pressure above normal
limits. Two variables control the pressure in the portal system, the resistance to blood flow
and blood flow volume in the portal system, if one these variables changes, PH may develop.
The origin of the initials changes determine the classification of the PH: Pre-hepatic (eg
compression of the portal vein), intrahepatic (eg chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis) or posthepatic (eg right heart failure). The most common causes of PH are chronic liver diseases.
The most common complications of PH are abdominal fluid, portosystemic shunts and
varices, which may lead to hepatic encephalopathy. Doppler ultrasound assesses the portal
flow noninvasively and, when performed in association with other exams, such as liver
biopsy, confirms the presence, origin and cause of PH. The aim of this study was to review
the literature about pathophysiological aspects and the main forms of diagnosis of PH in dogs,
supporting the veterinarian to request the appropriate laboratory tests and thus to establish the
most effective treatment.