What does a portal hypertension shunt connect?

The correct answer is that a portal hypertension shunt connects the portal vein and the inferior vena cava. This procedure is important in the management of portal hypertension, a condition characterized by increased blood pressure in the portal venous system.

When portal hypertension occurs, it often leads to complications such as variceal bleeding, ascites, and splenomegaly. A shunt is created to reroute blood flow away from the portal system, effectively reducing the pressure within it. By connecting the portal vein, which carries blood from the intestines and spleen to the liver, directly to the inferior vena cava, which drains blood into the heart, the shunt allows blood to bypass the liver and decrease the pressure in the portal system. This intervention can significantly mitigate the effects of portal hypertension and improve patient outcomes.

In understanding this concept, it is crucial to recognize that the other options would not facilitate the intended purpose of alleviating portal hypertension. For instance, connections involving the renal artery or superior mesenteric artery would not directly impact the portal venous pressure, as they are not part of the portal circulation. Additionally, a connection between the splenic vein and portal vein does not constitute a shunt in the context of addressing portal hypertension; rather