[Characteristics of extrahepatic collateral blood flow in patients with cirrhosis of the liver].

Percutaneous transhepatic portography was performed in 120 patients with cirrhosis of the liver with the intrahepatic form of pleural hypertension. It was shown that the degree of portal hypertension was associated with the presence of collateral circulation rather than with its distribution. The preferable way of collateral shunt is thought to be the gastroesophageal anastomosis which is not however hemodynamically effective. The results obtained show that natural collateral circulation is not able to provide decompression of the portal system.