Abstract              Background: Portal hypertension (PH) is defined as when the portal venous system pressure exceeds 10 mm Hg. Very few studies have been done in the present field practice area, with this view the present study was carried out. Methodology: It was a prospective, observational study carried out on patients admitted in/and referred to the tertiary care hospital and attending the General Medicine OPD. Results: The study comprised of 202 patients with portal hypertension as per clinical, laboratory and radiological criteria. It was a prospective, observational study. Clinical profile, aetiology and complication of portal hypertension was studied. The mean age of presentation of portal hypertension was 45.8+_13.92. Abdominal distension due to ascites was the commonest presenting complaint seen in 162 (80.20%) patients. Most common aetiology amongst cirrhotic patients was found to be ALD in 128(63.36%) followed by cryptogenic liver cirrhosis 36 (17.82%),post viral 18 (8.91%),4 (1.98%) in each wilson disease and budd chiary syndrome, autoimmune in 3 (1.48%),congenital hepatic fibrosis 1 (0.49%) and multifactorial in 2 (0.99%) patients. Most common aetiology amongst non cirrhotic patients was found to be Extra hepatic portal vein obstruction (PVT) 3 (1.49%). Other aetiologies were Budd NCPF (Non-Cirrhosis) 1 (0.50%), post viral 1 (0.50%), Caroli’s disease 1 (0.50%). Conclusion: Liver cirrhosis was the most common cause of portal hypertension. In portal hypertension with liver cirrhosis, Alcoholic liver disease was the most common aetiology, with rare causes being cryptogenic liver cirrhosis, post-viral, Budd Chiary syndrome, Wilson’s disease, autoimmune, Congenital hepatic fibrosis. In patients with Portal hypertension without cirrhosis most had EHPVO, some patients had post viral chronic active hepatitis, NCPF and caroli’s disease.

Key Words: Portal hypertension.