Splenectomy-Induced Portal Hypertension and Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Shinji Teramoto, Takeshi Matsuse, Yasuyoshi Ouchi
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1999)

Letters16 November 1999Splenectomy-Induced Portal Hypertension and Pulmonary HypertensionShinji Teramoto, MD, Takeshi Matsuse, MD, and Yasuyoshi Ouchi, MDShinji Teramoto, MDTokyo University Hospital; Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan (Teramoto)Tokyo University Hospital; Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan (Matsuse)Tokyo University Hospital; Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan (Ouchi)Search for more papers by this author, Takeshi Matsuse, MDTokyo University Hospital; Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan (Teramoto)Tokyo University Hospital; Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan (Matsuse)Tokyo University Hospital; Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan (Ouchi)Search for more papers by this author, and Yasuyoshi Ouchi, MDTokyo University Hospital; Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan (Teramoto)Tokyo University Hospital; Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan (Matsuse)Tokyo University Hospital; Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan (Ouchi)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-131-10-199911160-00025 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Hoeper and colleagues (1) reported that risk for pulmonary hypertension is increased after splenectomy (1). They speculated that the abnormal erythrocytes remained in the circulatory system longer and triggered platelet activation, leading to thrombi in the pulmonary vascular bed.Other possibilities can be considered. Because splenectomy may cause portal hypertension, which leads to intrapulmonary shunting, portal hypertension plays a role in the development of the hepatopulmonary syndrome in liver disease (2). This syndrome is characterized by hypoxemia in patients with chronic liver diseases and no intrinsic lung disease (3). Because hypoxia is known to have pathogenic significance ...References1. Hoeper MM, Nidermeyer J, Hoffmeyer F, Flemming P, Fabel H. Pulmonary hypertension after splenectomy? Ann Intern Med. 1999;130:506-9. LinkGoogle Scholar2. Rolla G, Brussino L, Colagrande P, Scappaticci E, Morello M, Bergerone S, et al . Exhaled nitric oxide and impaired oxygenation in cirrhotic patients before and after liver transplantation. Ann Intern Med. 1998;129:375-8. LinkGoogle Scholar3. Sumanovski L, Battegay E, Stumm M, van der Kooji M, Sieber CC. Increased angiogenesis in portal hypertensive rats: role of nitric oxide. Hepatology. 1999;29:1044-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Fernando B, Marley R, Holt S, Anand R, Harry D, Sanderson P, et al . d-acetylcysteine prevents development of the hemodynamic circulation in the portal hypertensive rat. Hepatology. 1998;28:689-94. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Mason NA, Springall DR, Burke M, Pollock J, Mikhali G, Yacoub MH, et al . High expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthetase in plexiform lesions of pulmonary hypertension. J Pathol. 1998;185:313-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Shinji Teramoto, MD; Takeshi Matsuse, MD; Yasuyoshi Ouchi, MDAffiliations: Tokyo University Hospital; Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan (Teramoto)Tokyo University Hospital; Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan (Matsuse)Tokyo University Hospital; Tokyo, 113-8655 Japan (Ouchi) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoPulmonary Hypertension after Splenectomy? Marius M. Hoeper , Jost Niedermeyer , Frank Hoffmeyer , Peer Flemming , and Helmut Fabel Splenectomy-Induced Portal Hypertension and Pulmonary Hypertension Marius M. Hoeper and Jost Niedermeyer Metrics Cited byComposition and significance of splenic Gamna-Gandy bodies in sickle cell anemiaSplenectomy in haematology–A 5-year single centre experienceAn Extreme Consequence of Splenectomy in Dehydrated Hereditary Stomatocytosis: Gradual Thrombo‐embolic Pulmonary Hypertension and Lung–Heart TransplantationPathophysiology of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension 16 November 1999Volume 131, Issue 10Page: 793KeywordsChronic liver diseaseHypoxiaLigasesLungsOxygenPathogenesisPortal hypertensionPulmonary hypertensionSplenectomyVentilators ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 16 November 1999 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1999 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...