Advances in the diagnosis and management of clinically significant portal hypertension in cirrhosis: A narrative review.

Abstract

Clinically significant Portal hypertension (PH), defined by a hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) greater than 10 mmHg, is a key predictor of decompensation events in cirrhosis, leading to variceal hemorrhage, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy. This narrative review explores the pathophysiology of PH in cirrhosis, evaluates diagnostic methods for identifying clinically significant PH (CSPH), and discusses guideline-driven strategies to prevent initial and further decompensation. While HVPG remains the gold standard for diagnosing CSPH, non-invasive tools such as liver stiffness measurement and spleen stiffness measurement are increasingly used for initial risk stratification. The combined use of these tools reduces the proportion of patients in the diagnostic "grey zone". Endoscopic ultrasound-guided portal pressure gradient is an emerging diagnostic tool that requires further validation. Non-selective beta-blockers are the cornerstone of primary prophylaxis for decompensation, and their combination with endoscopic variceal ligation is the first-line therapy for secondary prophylaxis of recurrent esophageal variceal bleeding. Statins show promise in reducing PH and preventing decompensation while further studies are still needed. This review also discusses the indications for preemptive transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and its role in managing refractory ascites and variceal bleeding.