Which of the following is a common hematologic consequence of portal hypertension?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a common hematologic consequence of portal hypertension?

Portal hypertension often causes splenic congestion and enlargement, leading to hypersplenism. The enlarged spleen sequesters and destroys blood cells more than usual, so circulating counts drop across cell lines. This results in cytopenias—most notably thrombocytopenia with anemia and sometimes leukopenia—giving patients a tendency to bleed and infections. This pattern—splenic sequestration causing reduced red cells, platelets, and white cells—is the classic hematologic consequence of portal hypertension. Hypercoagulability is not the typical consequence; liver-related coagulopathy can alter clotting factors, but the common hematologic picture here is low blood counts due to splenic sequestration. Polycythemia would imply an excess of red cells, which isn’t expected with hypersplenism. Leukocytosis is not a characteristic feature of portal hypertension itself and would suggest infection or another process rather than the portal hypertensive state.

Portal hypertension often causes splenic congestion and enlargement, leading to hypersplenism. The enlarged spleen sequesters and destroys blood cells more than usual, so circulating counts drop across cell lines. This results in cytopenias—most notably thrombocytopenia with anemia and sometimes leukopenia—giving patients a tendency to bleed and infections. This pattern—splenic sequestration causing reduced red cells, platelets, and white cells—is the classic hematologic consequence of portal hypertension.

Hypercoagulability is not the typical consequence; liver-related coagulopathy can alter clotting factors, but the common hematologic picture here is low blood counts due to splenic sequestration. Polycythemia would imply an excess of red cells, which isn’t expected with hypersplenism. Leukocytosis is not a characteristic feature of portal hypertension itself and would suggest infection or another process rather than the portal hypertensive state.

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