 | | | | Medical Health Encyclopedia | |
Hepatic vein obstruction (Budd-Chiari)
| | | |
| |
| |
| 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
Text Continues Below
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
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).
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 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. | |
| 
.gif)
