Cywes S, Davies M R, Louw J H, Berger G M, Bonnici F, Joffe H S
S Afr Med J. 1976 Feb 21;50(8):239-43.
We report the clinical and biochemical course of 2 patients who underwent portacaval shunting for the relief of homozygous type II hyperlipoproteinaemia. In our first patient, the initial favourable clinical and biochemical response subsequently deteriorated and a splenoportogram revealed the presence of a blocked splenic vein with a large collateral blood supply to the liver. The second patient has responded quite dramatically; there has been relief of her preoperative anginal attacks and a significant fall in her plasma cholesterol concentration. The present role of portacaval shunts in the management of this conditions is discussed.
