Health Encyclopedia

Hepatic vein obstruction (Budd-Chiari)

Definition

Hepatic vein obstruction refers to a blockage of the hepatic vein, which carries blood away from the liver.

Alternative Names

Budd-Chiari syndrome; Hepatic veno-occlusive disease

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Hepatic vein obstruction prevents blood from flowing out of the liver and back to the heart. This blockage can cause liver damage. Obstruction of this vein can be caused by masses pressing on the vessel (tumor) or by thrombus (clot) formation within the vessel.

Most often, it is caused by conditions that increase the body's propensity to form blood clots. These include:

Any of a number of hereditary or acquired clotting abnormalities
Myeloproliferative disorders -- abnormal proliferation of cells from the bone marrow
Chronic inflammatory or autoimmune diseases
Cancers
Oral contraceptives and pregnancy
Infections

Symptoms

Right-sided abdominal pain and a large liver
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
Ascites (swelling of the abdomen due to the development of fluid in the abdomen)
Vomiting blood

Signs and tests

Elevated results of liver function tests
Ultrasound of the liver
CT scan or MRI of the abdomen
Liver biopsy

Treatment

Treatment varies, depending on the cause of the obstruction, and may include the following:

Medical therapy for symptoms
Anticoagulation medications
Surgical interventions
Radiological procedures

Complications

Hepatic vein obstruction can progress to liver failure, which can be fatal.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of hepatic vein obstruction or if you are undergoing treatment and any new symptoms develop.

Review Date:7/25/2006
Reviewed By:Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-TorresdaleHospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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