Budd-Chiari Syndrome: Blocked Hepatic Veins Threaten Liver Function
Researchers are studying Budd-Chiari syndrome, a liver condition caused by blocked varicose veins of the liver. These veins, which lack valves, transport oxygen-depleted blood from the liver to the heart via the inferior vena cava.
The hepatic veins are divided into upper and lower groups. The upper group consists of three large veins draining the right, middle, and left lobes. The lower group veins are smaller and originate from the lower parts of the right or caudate lobe. They all empty into the inferior vena cava, which delivers the blood back to the heart. The liver, acting as a filtering organ, cleans the blood before it returns to the heart. This process can be hindered in Budd-Chiari syndrome, leading to liver damage. The syndrome was first described by Carl Freiherr von Rokitansky in the mid-19th century. While current leading researchers like Dr. Gerald I. Shulman at Yale School of Medicine focus on liver-related conditions, explicit recent research on Budd-Chiari syndrome by named physicians is not widely identified.
Understanding the role of hepatic veins in liver function and the impact of Budd-Chiari syndrome on this process is crucial for developing effective treatments. Further research is needed to advance our knowledge of this condition.
