Review in DepthHypersplenismPeck-Radosavljevic, Markus Author Information Dept of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Vienna Medical School, Vienna, Austria Correspondence to Dr Markus Peck-Radosavljevic, Dept of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, AKH Wien, Währinger GĂ¼rtel 18–20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria Tel: +43 1 40400 4741; fax: +43 1 40400 4735; e-mail: [email protected] European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology 13(4):p 317-323, April 2001. Buy Abstract Cytopenias in liver disease are a common finding. In the past they have mostly been attributed to pooling and/or destruction of blood cells in the enlarged spleen, leading to the term ‘hypersplenism'. With recent advances in the understanding of the physiology of blood formation, in particular with the discovery of several haematopoietic growth factors, new insight into the pathophysiology of blood cell derangements in liver disease has been obtained. Recombinant haematopoietic growth factors present new opportunities for support of the haematopoietic system, which is required because of toxic antiviral therapies or surgical interventions in these patients. © 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.