Hepatic vein obstruction (Budd-Chiari)
Alternate Names : Budd-Chiari syndrome, Hepatic veno-occlusive disease
Definition
Hepatic vein obstruction is a blockage of the hepatic vein, which carries blood away from the liver.
Overview, Causes, & 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 lump (tumor) pressing on the vessel, or by a clot (thrombus) in the vessel. Most often, it is caused by conditions that make blood clots more likely to form, including:
- Abnormal spread of cells from the bone marrow (myeloproliferative disorders)
- Cancers
- Chronic inflammatory or autoimmune diseases
- Infections
- Inherited (hereditary) or acquired problems with blood clotting
- Oral contraceptives and pregnancy
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