BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuHepatic vein obstruction (Budd-Chiari)Budd-Chiari syndrome; Hepatic veno-occlusive diseaseHepatic vein obstruction is a blockage of the hepatic vein, which carries blood away from the liver.HepaticThe term "hepatic" refers to the liver. For example, the hepatic duct drains bile from the liver.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes 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 a tumor or growth pressing on the vessel, or by a clot in the vessel (hepatic vein thrombosis).TumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).Read Article Now Book Mark Article Most often, it is caused by conditions that make blood clots more likely to form, including:Abnormal growth of cells in the bone marrow (myeloproliferative disorders) Cancers Chronic inflammatory or autoimmune diseases AutoimmuneAn autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. There are more than 80 autoimmune d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infections Inherited (hereditary) or acquired problems with blood clotting Oral contraceptives PregnancyHepatic vein blockage is the most common cause of Budd-Chiari syndrome. Symptoms Symptoms include:Abdominal swelling or stretching due to fluid in the abdomen Pain in the right upper abdomen Vomiting blood Yellowing of the skin (jaundice) Exams and Tests One of the signs is swelling of the abdomen from fluid buildup (ascites). The liver is often swollen and tender.AscitesAscites is the build-up of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tests include:CT scan or MRI of the abdomen CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI of the abdomenAn abdominal magnetic resonance imaging scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves. The waves create pictures of the inside ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Doppler ultrasound of the liver veins Liver biopsy Liver biopsyA liver biopsy is a test that takes a sample of tissue from the liver for examination.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Liver function tests Liver function testsLiver function tests are common tests that are used to see how well the liver is working. Tests include:AlbuminAlpha-1 antitrypsinAlkaline phosphata...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ultrasound of the liverUltrasoundUltrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Treatment varies, depending on the cause of the blockage.Your health care provider may recommend the following medicines: Blood thinners (anticoagulants) Clot-busting drugs (thrombolytic treatment) Medicines to treat the liver disease, including ascites Surgery may be recommended. This may involve:Angioplasty and stent placement AngioplastyThe blood vessels that bring blood to your brain and face are called the carotid arteries. You have a carotid artery on each side of your neck. The...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article StentA stent is a tiny tube placed into a hollow structure in your body. This structure can be an artery, a vein, or another structure, such as the tube ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) TIPSTransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure to create new connections between two blood vessels in your liver. You may need ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Venous shunt surgery Liver transplant Possible Complications Hepatic vein obstruction can get worse and lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. This can be life threatening.CirrhosisCirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if: You have symptoms of hepatic vein obstruction You are being treated for this condition and you develop new symptoms Open ReferencesReferencesKahi CJ. Vascular diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 134.Nery FG, Valla DC. Vascular diseases of the liver. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 85.AllVideoImagesTogDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationDigestive system organs - illustration The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.Digestive system organsillustrationBlood clot formation - illustration Blood clotting normally occurs when there is damage to a blood vessel. Platelets immediately begin to adhere to the cut edges of the vessel and release chemicals to attract even more platelets. A platelet plug is formed, and the external bleeding stops. Next, small molecules, called clotting factors, cause strands of blood-borne materials, called fibrin, to stick together and seal the inside of the wound. Eventually, the cut blood vessel heals and the blood clot dissolves after a few days.Blood clot formationillustrationBlood clots - illustration Blood clots (fibrin clots) are the clumps that result when blood coagulates.Blood clotsillustrationHepatic venous circulation - illustration The portal vein drains blood from the intestine, stomach, spleen, pancreas, and gallbladder into the liver. The liver processes the nutrients in this blood and filters out toxic substances. The hepatic veins then carry the blood away from the liver and into the inferior vena cava, which leads to the right atrium, one of the four chambers of the heart.Hepatic venous circulationillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationDigestive system organs - illustration The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.Digestive system organsillustrationBlood clot formation - illustration Blood clotting normally occurs when there is damage to a blood vessel. Platelets immediately begin to adhere to the cut edges of the vessel and release chemicals to attract even more platelets. A platelet plug is formed, and the external bleeding stops. Next, small molecules, called clotting factors, cause strands of blood-borne materials, called fibrin, to stick together and seal the inside of the wound. Eventually, the cut blood vessel heals and the blood clot dissolves after a few days.Blood clot formationillustrationBlood clots - illustration Blood clots (fibrin clots) are the clumps that result when blood coagulates.Blood clotsillustrationHepatic venous circulation - illustration The portal vein drains blood from the intestine, stomach, spleen, pancreas, and gallbladder into the liver. The liver processes the nutrients in this blood and filters out toxic substances. The hepatic veins then carry the blood away from the liver and into the inferior vena cava, which leads to the right atrium, one of the four chambers of the heart.Hepatic venous circulationillustrationRelated Information Hepatic(Special Topic)Tumor(Condition)Blood clots(Condition)Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)(Surgery)Stent(Surgery) Review Date: 5/4/2022 Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. 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Hepatic vein obstruction (Budd-Chiari)Budd-Chiari syndrome; Hepatic veno-occlusive diseaseHepatic vein obstruction is a blockage of the hepatic vein, which carries blood away from the liver.HepaticThe term "hepatic" refers to the liver. For example, the hepatic duct drains bile from the liver.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes 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 a tumor or growth pressing on the vessel, or by a clot in the vessel (hepatic vein thrombosis).TumorA tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign).Read Article Now Book Mark Article Most often, it is caused by conditions that make blood clots more likely to form, including:Abnormal growth of cells in the bone marrow (myeloproliferative disorders) Cancers Chronic inflammatory or autoimmune diseases AutoimmuneAn autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. There are more than 80 autoimmune d...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infections Inherited (hereditary) or acquired problems with blood clotting Oral contraceptives PregnancyHepatic vein blockage is the most common cause of Budd-Chiari syndrome. Symptoms Symptoms include:Abdominal swelling or stretching due to fluid in the abdomen Pain in the right upper abdomen Vomiting blood Yellowing of the skin (jaundice) Exams and Tests One of the signs is swelling of the abdomen from fluid buildup (ascites). The liver is often swollen and tender.AscitesAscites is the build-up of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tests include:CT scan or MRI of the abdomen CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article MRI of the abdomenAn abdominal magnetic resonance imaging scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves. The waves create pictures of the inside ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Doppler ultrasound of the liver veins Liver biopsy Liver biopsyA liver biopsy is a test that takes a sample of tissue from the liver for examination.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Liver function tests Liver function testsLiver function tests are common tests that are used to see how well the liver is working. Tests include:AlbuminAlpha-1 antitrypsinAlkaline phosphata...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ultrasound of the liverUltrasoundUltrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Treatment varies, depending on the cause of the blockage.Your health care provider may recommend the following medicines: Blood thinners (anticoagulants) Clot-busting drugs (thrombolytic treatment) Medicines to treat the liver disease, including ascites Surgery may be recommended. This may involve:Angioplasty and stent placement AngioplastyThe blood vessels that bring blood to your brain and face are called the carotid arteries. You have a carotid artery on each side of your neck. The...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article StentA stent is a tiny tube placed into a hollow structure in your body. This structure can be an artery, a vein, or another structure, such as the tube ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) TIPSTransjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure to create new connections between two blood vessels in your liver. You may need ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Venous shunt surgery Liver transplant Possible Complications Hepatic vein obstruction can get worse and lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. This can be life threatening.CirrhosisCirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if: You have symptoms of hepatic vein obstruction You are being treated for this condition and you develop new symptoms Open ReferencesReferencesKahi CJ. Vascular diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 134.Nery FG, Valla DC. Vascular diseases of the liver. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 85.