What condition is characterized by blockage of the hepatic veins?

Budd-Chiari Syndrome is characterized by the obstruction of hepatic veins, which can lead to various complications related to liver function and portal circulation. The blockage may occur due to thrombosis or other structural abnormalities that prevent normal blood flow from the liver to the heart. As a result, this can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, ascites, and hepatomegaly, and can eventually lead to liver damage if not addressed.

In contrast, portal hypertension refers to increased pressure within the portal venous system, which can result from various liver conditions, including cirrhosis or Budd-Chiari Syndrome itself, but is not defined as a blockage of the hepatic veins. Cirrhosis is a progressive liver disease often due to chronic liver injury, leading to fibrosis and scarring, but it is not solely defined by the blockage of hepatic veins. Hepatic encephalopathy is a decline in brain function that occurs when the liver doesn't remove toxins from the blood, often related to advanced liver disease, but it is a consequence of liver dysfunction rather than a condition defined by hepatic vein blockage.