[Ultrasound study of the portal vascular system in the puerperium].

Changes of various cardiovascular functions and intra-abdominal pressure ratios occur during pregnancy as a result of adaptation processes. Besides the arterial and venous vascular systems, the portal vascular system is also affected. Bearing this in mind, the lienoportal and mesenterioportal vascular system were studied in 87 women during the puerperium after childbirth, and compared with a group of healthy women. Sonographically, the portal vascular system was found to be dilated after pregnancy. These changes were reversible within the first three weeks after delivery. Transient portal hypertension is discussed as a possible cause of this phenomenon. This should be differentiated against acute diseases with pathological and/or already pre-existing portal hypertension.