Classification of the Time Course for the Budd-Chiari Syndrome

The Budd-Chiari Syndrome may evolve over various time courses depending on the extent of its pathogenic factors.

Pathogenic factors affecting temporal course of the Budd-Chiari syndrome:

(1) extent of hepatic venous occlusion (the less the better)

(2) how fast the hepatic venous occlusions occurs (the more gradual the better)

(3) development of venous collateral circulation (the more the better)

Time Course	Features
fulminant	rapid progression to hepatic failure after the onset of symptoms (hepatic encephalopathy within 8 weeks)
acute	appearance of intractable ascites and moderate hepatic dysfunction over a few weeks
subacute	insidious onset of symptoms with variable ascites and hepatic dysfunction
chronic	symptoms of cirrhosis after months or years

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