Alternative Names
Budd-Chiari syndrome; Hepatic veno-occlusive disease
Definition of Hepatic vein obstruction (Budd-Chiari)
Hepatic vein obstruction is a blockage of the hepatic vein, which carries blood away from the liver.
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 a or growth pressing on the vessel, or by a clot in the vessel (hepatic vein thrombosis).
Signs and tests
One of the signs is swelling of the abdomen from fluid buildup (). The liver is often swollen and tender.
Treatment
Treatment varies, depending on the cause of the blockage.
Review
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. – 7/7/2010
