Budd-Chiari syndrome overview

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

The Budd-Chiari syndrome is the clinical picture caused by occlusion of the hepatic vein or inferior vena cava. Its presents with the classical triad of abdominal pain, ascites and hepatomegaly. Examples of occlusion include thrombosis of hepatic veins and membranous webs in the inferior vena cava. The syndrome can be fulminant, acute, chronic, or asymptomatic.

Historical Perspective

It is named for George Budd and Hans Chiari.

Pathophysiology

Any obstruction of the venous vasculature of the liver is referred to as Budd-Chiari syndrome, from the venules to the right atrium. This leads to increased portal vein and hepatic sinusoid pressures as the blood flow stagnates. The increased portal pressure causes: 1) increased filtration of vascular fluid with the formation of protein-rich ascites in the abdomen; and 2) collateral venous flow through alternative veins leading to gastric varices and hemorrhoids. Obstruction also causes hepatic necrosis and eventual centrilobular fibrosis due to ischemia. Renal failure may occur, perhaps due to the body sensing an "underfill" state and subsequent activation of the renin-angiotensin pathways and excess sodium retention.