What can be done for complete portal vein blockage? Please HELP!

[sirkitron]

We were just told that the portal vein is completely blocked and could not be fixed with an angiogram.  Are there any other alternatives to replace, bypass, or otherwise reroute blood to the liver?

[orphanedhawk]

I had a unique experience as my transplant was done in Taiwan.
It is not common and in fact was somewhat experimental.
I think my patchwork portal vein was one of the first successful ones done by my talented surgeon.

The wonderful news is worked out well as I am still here and healthy too.

[lxm5812]

Is now "reconstructing a new portal vein out of other non-essential veins (therefore blood may go back to liver)" becoming more usual? Thanks!

[orphanedhawk]

I don't usually respond to old posts and this one is really old.
However, my portal vein was completely occluded (blocked) when I had my transplant. My surgeon  reconstructed a new portal vein out of other non-essential veins in my body during my transplant.

BTW: for some odd reason I never did get varices.

[Wolfrocket]

When the portal vein becomes blocked to a point when TIPS can not be performed, then a vascular surgeon should be consulted.  Most times a graph will replace the bad part of the vein.  This is a very complicated surgery and should only be done by a vascular surgeon who has performed many of this types of surgeries.   In my area UC, Ohio State, and Cleveland Clinic perform this type of surgery.


Good Luck

[bob426]

my wife doctor told her she has a potal vien blockage. he put her on blood thinners and the blockage gets larger. she has a ultra sound monthly. my wife  has liver transplant .her doctor is at baylor in dallas.im hoping she dont get varicies again.my question is anybody have any input for correcting her problem.

[cuteus]

Please post your question in the top threads, as most people check the most recent posts on a regular basis.  You can post the question within an existing one, or a new one.  Please do.

Someone might know where to direct you

[Dafoe]

I just happened to stumble upon this site while looking for info more info for my 16 yr. old son. He has a complete blockage in his portal vein. He was diagnosed at 16 months old, he had a spleenal/renal shunt (sp?) at the age of 2.5 yrs. old, it clotted off 6 mos. later. He has had numerous bleeds due to esophogeal varicies, he has had sclerotherapy and banding for the varicies, he was put on a Beta blocker to help reduce pressures, that did not work. He had another shunt in July of 2003, and that shunt has recently clotted off, despite being on blood thinners to keep the shunt open. He also has Factor 5 Leiden, which makes him prone to clotting. Does anyone have any other suggestions?! He is a fantastic young man, and his strength gets our family through this. Please, please help!

If this is not the forum to be on, I apologize for taking your time, and does anyone know of a suppport group for this particular problem?

[Dafoe]

I just happened to stumble upon this site while looking for info more info for my 16 yr. old son. He has a complete blockage in his portal vein. He was diagnosed at 16 months old, he had a spleenal/renal shunt (sp?) at the age of 2.5 yrs. old, it clotted off 6 mos. later. He has had numerous bleeds due to esophogeal varicies, he has had sclerotherapy and banding for the varicies, he was put on a Beta blocker to help reduce pressures, that did not work. He had another shunt in July of 2003, and that shunt has recently clotted off, despite being on blood thinners to keep the shunt open. He also has Factor 5 Leiden, which makes him prone to clotting. Does anyone have any other suggestions?! He is a fantastic young man, and his strength gets our family through this. Please, please help!

If this is not the forum to be on, I apologize for taking your time, and does anyone know of a suppport group for this particular problem?

[thanbey]

<a href="http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/content/diseases/portal_hypotension.asp">BLT on Portal Hypertension</a>

[thanbey]

It has the potential to be very serious as it can lead to variceal bleeding.

For more on this click here:  <ahref="http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/content/diseases/portal_hypotension.asp">British Liver Trust on portal
hypertension.</a>

[sirkitron]

Thanks to all who have posted. Let me answer each post in order:

lvdbygod: No the angiogram was performed on my father this morning and no doctor has talked to us yet. It is now 8:50 pm and the proceedure was done at 7:30 this morning.  So we haven't received any input from the doctors.  

Thanbey:  The chief of radiology did speak with us briefly after the proceedure and told us that the portal vein was blocked and he could ot put a baloon, a shunt, or clear the blockage.  Furthermore the veins leading into the portal vein also are clogged.  I've been reading about TIPS online as well as different shunts but so far it seems that the portal vein is needed th perform these proceedures.  However, I could be totally off key here as I'm still waiting to hear from the doctors so I can ask questions.

LiteCLoud:  What you described sounds logical to me.  I would think that they could put a in fake vein (shunt?) When they tried to clear the blockage they went in from the groin then from the top.  The radiologist told us that the blockage must be several months old.  When I asked him why his ultrasound (done in february) didnt show any potential problems he just said "it's been clogged longer than that".  This is frustrating.

[yuneedtono]

How serious is portal hypertension considered?

[litecloud]

The Rex shunt was first developed for the treatment of portal vein blockage following a liver transplant. It was later used in children who have the blockage that develops even in the absence of a transplant. The shunt is essentially a bypass that brings blood back into the liver from the veins that collect blood from the intestines. Blood then flows from the intestines into the liver in the normal way. A vein from the patient is used to construct a bridge. Blood flow across that bridge and around the obstruction back into the liver. The abnormal varices are decompressed, and so is the spleen. The symptoms of portal hypertension resolve very quickly after a successful shunt.
Look in the internet under PORTAL HYPERTENSION: REX SHUNT

[thanbey]

Has your doctor suggested a shunt?

Or a TIPS procedure?

I am not that up to speed on either of these, but they might be something to begin the search.

Also,  there is now liver dialysis in some places.

I hope this helps,

thanbey

[LvdByGod]

i wish i could help you. we are a bunch of patients with hepc and i'm not sure if anyone here will have had this experience...there are some who have gotton close to it... hopefully someone can point you in a direction to get answers...

did your dr. give you something to hang on to? any solutions? please let us know what you find out. we care about these things around here. you will be in our hearts and prayers...this is a  great group of people for support...