Liver cirrhosis is a frequent consequence of the long clinical course of all chronic liver
diseases and is characterized by tissue fibrosis and the conversion of normal liver
architecture into structurally abnormal nodules. Portal hypertension is the earliest and most
important consequence of cirrhosis and underlies most of the clinical complications of the
disease. Portal hypertension results from an increased intrahepatic resistance combined
with increased portal (and hepatic arterial) blood flow. The fibrotic and angio-architectural …