Abstract
Since its first description in 1951 by Mantz and Craig, pulmonary
hypertension associated with portal hypertension has been observed
more frequently. In a recent prospective study Hadengue et al.
reported 2% incidence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with portal
hypertension. Thus this simultaneous occurrence can no longer be considered
to be coincidental. The etiology remains unclear. It is most likely that
vasoactive substances (,)normally metabolized by the liver(,) may gain
have gained access to the pulmonary circulation through portosystemic
collaterals in portal hypertension. In genetically susceptible individuals,
these substances could lead to pulmonary hypertension by inducing
vasoconstriction or direct toxic damage to the wall of the small pulmonary
arteries. A recent case of pulmonary hypertension in a 49-year-old woman
with portal hypertension due to liver cirrhosis is reported as well as a
review of the literature.