Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 02/17/2009
A radiologist assesses patients for bypass surgery based on their medical history, physical examination, blood work, and liver imaging studies performed using
computed tomagraphy (CT) scans, ultrasounds, or magnetic resonance...
imaging (MRI) scans, and in consultation with the treating gastroenterologist, hepatologist, or surgeon.
Standard preoperative blood and urine tests are also performed. The heart and arterial blood pressure are monitored both during and after the operation.
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Other Information
Portal vein bypass surgery diverts blood from the portal vein into another vein. It is performed when pressure in the portal vein is so high that it causes internal bleeding from blood vessels in the esophagus.
Purpose
The portal vein carries blood from the stomach and abdominal organs to the liver. It is a major vein that splits into many branches. High pressure in the portal vein causes swelling and bleeding from blood vessels in the esophagus. This situation occurs when the liver is damaged from cirrhosis of the liver, a condition usually caused by prolonged, excessive alcohol consumption.
Massive internal bleeding caused by high pressure in the portal vein occurs in about 40% of patients with cirrhosis. It is initially fatal in at least half of these patients. Patients who survive are likely to experience bleeding recurrence. Portal vein bypass, also called portacaval shunting, is performed on these surviving patients to control bleeding.
From http://www.lifesteps.com/gm/Atoz/ency/portal_vein_bypass.jsp
Other Information
In 2006, 2,192 heart transplantations were performed in the United States. There are 257 transplant hospitals in the United States, 135 of which perform heart transplantations. (http://www.unos.org/)
From: Unos.org
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