Understanding the Pathophysiology of Portosystemic Shunt by Simulation Using an Electric Circuit

Figure 1

Schematic diagram of abdominal vascular connections ignoring spatial relations. The portal system is depicted by purple lines. Any abnormal connection between the portal system and the systemic veins can form a shunt circuit (dotted line). Note that collaterals between aortic branches are omitted. CA: celiac artery. SMA: superior mesenteric artery. IMA: inferior mesenteric artery. IMV: inferior mesenteric vein. SMV: superior mesenteric vein. PV: portal vein. SV: splenic vein. HV: hepatic vein. ⓐ, ⓑ, and ⓒ: possible shunt occlusion sites.