Research advances in the changes of hepatic vascular system in biliary atresia

Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive and severe obstructive disease of bile tract in infants. Kasai’s procedure is a preferred treatment for BA. However, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis are two key factors of restricting the survival of native liver. Researches have indicated that hepatic vascular changes and expression of related factors play an important role in the etiology, diagnosis and disease progression of BA. This paper reviewed the morphological changes of liver vascular system and its relationship with fibrosis in BA. Key words: Biliary atresia; Angiogenesis; Fibrosis; Vascular endothelial growth factors; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit