Percutaneous transhepatic portal venography in the diagnosis and management of gastroesophageal varices.

Percutaneous transhepatic portal venography is a relatively safe method of obtaining both physiologic and morphologic information in patients with portal hypertension. Precise "road mapping" is performed, as well as measurement of free portal pressure. Additionally, transcatheter obliteration of gastroesophageal varices may produce effective cessation of hemorrhage in patients bleeding from this site, as was done on an emergency basis after failure of intra-arterial vasopressin infusion.