Portal hypertension changes following selective splenorenal shunt surgery. Evaluation by percutaneous transhepatic portal catheterization, venography, and cinefluorography.

Considerable diagnostic data can be gathered by selectively catheterizing the portal vein and the major tributaries of the splanchnic venous system to evaluate pressure and blood flow. Combined with cinefluorography, this is a superior method for demonstrating the anatomy and hemodynamics of portal hypertension as well as the effects of splenorenal shunt surgery. Thirty-one attempts with a 19 gauge trocar in 17 patients resulted in 28 successful portal entries and 24 successful selective catheterizations. Portal vein pressure, flow, and diameter were less after shunting.