Hepaticoportal fistula and portal hypertension.

A large intrahepatic fistula between the hepatic artery and portal vein was detected at angiography in a patient with portal hypertension and bleeding esophageal varices. Hemodynamic studies demonstrated that increased vascular resistance in the liver rather than increased flow through the fistula was responsible for the portal hypertension and a portocaval shunt was performed. A repeat angiogram two months after the operation showed that the fistula had closed spontaneously.