Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Contact Us FAQs Site Map About MedlinePlus
español Home Health Topics Drugs & Supplements Medical Encyclopedia Dictionary News Directories Other Resources

 

Medical Encyclopedia

Other encyclopedia topics:  A-Ag  Ah-Ap  Aq-Az  B-Bk  Bl-Bz  C-Cg  Ch-Co  Cp-Cz  D-Di  Dj-Dz  E-Ep  Eq-Ez  F  G  H-Hf  Hg-Hz  I-In  Io-Iz  J  K  L-Ln  Lo-Lz  M-Mf  Mg-Mz  N  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q  R  S-Sh  Si-Sp  Sq-Sz  T-Tn  To-Tz  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  0-9 

Hepatic vein obstruction (Budd-Chiari)

Printer-friendly versionEmail this page to a friend
Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Digestive system
Digestive system
Digestive system organs
Digestive system organs

Alternative Names    Return to top

Budd-Chiari syndrome; Hepatic veno-occlusive disease

Definition    Return to top

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

Causes    Return to top

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:

Symptoms    Return to top

Exams and Tests    Return to top

Treatment    Return to top

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

Possible Complications    Return to top

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

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

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

Update Date: 7/25/2006

Updated by: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-TorresdaleHospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Logo

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2008, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.