Editorial: Portal Hypertension in Cirrhosis: From Pathogenesis to Novel Treatments

This Editorial summarizes the contributions to the Frontiers Research Topic “Portal Hypertension in Cirrhosis: From Pathogenesis to Novel Treatments” with peer-reviewed articles published in Frontiers in Physiology (Gastrointestinal Sciences) and Frontiers in Medicine (Gastroenterology).

Cirrhosis and its complications are responsible for a large number of deaths worldwide annually. Almost 90% of patients with cirrhosis eventually develop portal hypertension (PHT) and this condition is a prequel to the majority of deaths in these patients. Cirrhotic PHT results from increased intrahepatic vascular resistance combined with extrahepatic hyperdynamic circulatory state characterized by a high cardiac output and splanchnic vasodilatation. There have been very few new therapies introduced for the long-term management of PHT over the last 30 years. Thus, the goal of this Research Topic was to highlight recent advances in PHT research and in particular, novel concepts of pathophysiological pathways (e.g., transcription regulation, systemic inflammation), but also to remind the field of already known and possibly forgotten mechanisms (e.g., impact of abdominal surgery, role of bile acids) in the development and modulation of PHT. In addition, this Research Topic elaborates on new and established diagnostics and therapies in PHT.

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Herath, C.B., Angus, P.W. & Trebicka, J. Editorial: Portal Hypertension in Cirrhosis: From Pathogenesis to Novel Treatments. Front Physiol 13, 864083 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.864083