Letter P ( A to Z of CF 2014)

 P is for Portal Hypertension. 

Cadel was diagnosed with Portal Hypertension in his liver late last year and it is all relatively new to us so here is a definition I have sourced to help you understand but first I must remind you that Cadel was diagnosed with CF related liver disease. 

**taken from childrenshospital.org

Obstruction of the portal vein – caused primarily by clots in or narrowing of the vein before it reaches the liver, cirrhosis, or high pressure in the veins that drain the liver into the heart – can cause the pressure in the vein to build up, much as blocking the end of a hose causes the pressure in the hose to climb. Increased portal vein pressure – known medically as portal hypertension – causes blood to back up in the organs that send blood to the liver. The body tries to relieve the pressure by generating new blood vessels that bypass the blockage, but such vessels are often weak and twisted, and tend to bleed easily. These vessels, called varices, may also bypass the liver itself, allowing toxins and nutrients to travel through the bloodstream unprocessed.**
 

So to see what is going on with Cadel's portal hypertension he will undergo an endoscopy to see the extent of the portal hypertension and if there are any bleeds they will be banded to cut that supply of blood off. This will have to monitored closely and is just another part of Cadel's unique condition that makes him special to not just us but the Dr's that treat him too!!

K