CO₂ wedged hepatic venography in the evaluation of portal hypertension

Abstract

Visualisation of the venous portal system by CO(2) venography is markedly superior to iodine. The use of CO(2) wedged portography is a useful and safe complementary procedure during hepatic vein catheterisation which may help to detect portal thrombosis. Also, lack of demonstration of the portal vein in non-cirrhotic patients strongly suggests the presence of pre-sinusoidal portal hypertension.