Portopulmonary Hypertension: A Review

Portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) is a rare complication of liver disease occurring when pulmonary arterial hypertension develops in the setting of portal hypertension. It increases the morbidity and mortality compared to patients with cirrhosis alone. POPH is classified in Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension, which has important implications on treatment. After aggressive treatment and in carefully selected patients, liver transplantation can be performed; this can be curative of not only their liver disease but also of their POPH. Treatment and patient selection for optimum results continues to evolve. This article provides updates on the definition, clinical course, and treatment of patients with POPH. We will also discuss the evolving data in treatment and liver transplantation in POPH.