Endothelial and microvascular function in liver cirrhosis: an old concept that needs re-evaluation?

Liver cirrhosis is characterized by significant circulatory dysregulation, related to an imbalance among several vasodilating agents, mainly nitric oxide. In contrast to portal vein and macrovascular hemodynamic alterations, which have been rather well described, the peripheral microcirculatory and endothelial structure and function in this population are less well studied. Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by an imbalance between endothelium-derived relaxing and contracting factors.