INFLUENCE OF GENERAL-ANESTHESIA ON PORTAL PRESSURE IN LIVER-CIRRHOSIS AND PORTAL-HYPERTENSION

In 19 patients with cirrhosis of the liver and portal hypertension, a catheter was inserted into the portal vein using a percutaneous transhepatic technique. The portal pressure was measured during general anaesthesia with and without halothane, and in the awake state. Addition of halothane to the N2O:O2 anaesthesia did not change portal venous pressure, in spite of a significant fall in arterial blood pressure. Portal venous pressure under general anaesthesia with complete muscle relaxation did not differ from the pressure in the resting, awake patient. © 1979 The Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiologists