EFFECTS ON GASTRIC CIRCULATION OF TREATMENT FOR PORTAL-HYPERTENSION IN CIRRHOSIS

We evaluated the gastric circulatory effects of the type of treatment administered for portal hypertension. Of 14 patients with cirrhosis, s even received a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS; g roup T) and seven received percutaneous transhepatic portographic embo lization (PTPE; group P), Patients were evaluated over the course of o ne year. After treatment, portal venous pressure was significantly red uced from 39 +/- 6 cm H2O to 32 +/- 5 (P < 0.001) in group T and, was significantly elevated from 29 +/- 10 to 33 +/- 8 (P < 0.05) in group P. The portal flow velocity (V-mean) was Significantly higher in group T vs group P (P < 0.0001). The congestion index was significantly low er in group T than in group P (P < 0.0001). The gastric mucosal blood flow was increased in group T but was unchanged in group P. Esophageal varices showed some improvement in both groups, but the portal hypert ensive gastropathy was improved only in group T, These findings help t o explain the differing effects on the gastric circulation related to the type of treatment used for portal hypertension.