Prevalence and risk factors of lymphatic dysfunction in cirrhosis patients with refractory ascites:An often unconsidered mechanism

BACKGROUND The lymphatic system is crucial in maintaining the body fluid homeostasis.A dysfunctional lymphatic system may contribute to the refractoriness of ascites and edema in cirrhosis patients.Therefore,assessment of lymphatic dysfunction in cirrhosis patients with refractory ascites(RA)can be crucial as it would call for using different strategies for fluid mobilization.AIM To assessing the magnitude,spectrum,and clinical associations of lymphatic dysfunction in liver cirrhosis patients with RA.METHODS This observational study included 155 consecutive cirrhosis patients with RA.The presence of clinical signs of lymphedema,such as peau d’orange appearance and positive Stemmer sign,intestinal lymphangiectasia(IL)on duodenal biopsy seen as dilated vessels in the lamina propria with strong D2-40 immunohistochemistry,and chylous ascites were used to diagnose the overt lymphatic dysfunctions.RESULTS A total of 69(44.5%)patients out of 155 had evidence of lymphatic dysfunction.Peripheral lymphedema,found in 52(33.5%)patients,was the most common manifestation,followed by IL in 42(27.0%)patients,and chylous ascites in 2(1.9%)patients.Compared to patients without lymphedema,those with lymphedema had higher mean age,median model for end-stage liver disease scores,mean body mass index,mean ascitic fluid triglyceride levels,and proportion of patients with hypoproteinemia(serum total protein<5 g/dL)and lymphocytopenia(<15%of total leukocyte count).Patients with IL also had a higher prevalence of lymphocytopenia and hypoproteinemia(28.6%vs.9.1%,P=0.004).Seven(13%)patients with lymphedema had lower limb cellulitis compared to none in those without it.On multivariate regression analysis,factors independently associated with lymphatic dysfunction included obesity[odds ratio(OR):4.2,95%confidence intervals(95%CI):1.1–15.2,P=0.027],lymphocytopenia[OR:6.2,95%CI:2.9–13.2,P<0.001],and hypoproteinemia[OR:3.7,95%CI:1.5–8.82,P=0.003].CONCLUSION Lymphatic dysfunction is common in cirrhosis patients with RA.Significant indicators of its presence include hypoproteinemia and lymphocytopenia,which are likely due to the loss of lymphatic fluid from the circulation.Future efforts to mobilize fluid in these patients should focus on methods to improve lymphatic drainage.

Association of COVID-19 with hepatic metabolic dysfunction

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic continues to be a global problem with over 438 million cases reported so far.Although it mostly affects the respiratory system,the involvement of extrapulmonary organs,including the liver,is not uncommon.Since the beginning of the pandemic,metabolic comorbidities,such as obesity,diabetes,hypertension,and dyslipidemia,have been identified as poor prognostic indicators.Subsequent metabolic and lipidomic studies have identified several metabolic dysfunctions in patients with COVID-19.The metabolic alterations appear to be linked to the course of the disease and inflammatory reaction in the body.The liver is an important organ with high metabolic activity,and a significant proportion of COVID-19 patients have metabolic comorbidities;thus,this factor could play a key role in orchestrating systemic metabolic changes during infection.Evidence suggests that metabolic dysregulation in COVID-19 has both short-and long-term metabolic implications.Furthermore,COVID-19 has adverse associations with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease.Due to the ensuing effects on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and ammonia metabolism,COVID-19 can have significant implications in patients with advanced chronic liver disease.A thorough understanding of COVID-19-associated metabolic dysfunction could lead to the identification of important plasma biomarkers and novel treatment targets.In this review,we discuss the current understanding of metabolic dysfunction in COVID-19,focusing on the liver and exploring the underlying mechanistic pathogenesis and clinical implications.

Vascular complications of liver abscess: A literature review

Extensive vascular network and proximity to the gastrointestinal tract make the liver susceptible to abscess formation.While pyogenic liver abscesses account for the majority of liver abscesses in the Western world,amebic liver abscesses are more prevalent in tropical and developing nations.Most liver abscesses heal without complications.However,various vascular complications can occur in these patients,including compression of the inferior vena cava,thrombosis of the portal vein and/or hepatic veins,hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm,direct rupture into major vessels or the pericardium,and biliovascular fistula.These compli-cations can present significant clinical challenges due to the potential for hae-morrhage,ischemia,and systemic embolism,thereby increasing the risk of morbidity and mortality.Mechanical compression,flow stasis,inflammation,endothelial injury,and direct invasion are some of the proposed mechanisms that can cause vascular complications in the setting of a liver abscess.For the diag-nosis,thorough assessment,and therapeutic planning of vascular complications,more sophisticated imaging techniques such as multidetector computed tomo-graphy angiography or magnetic resonance angiography may be necessary.Although most vascular complications resolve with abscess treatment alone,additional interventions may be required based on the nature,severity,and course of the complications.This article aims to provide a systematic update on the spectrum of vascular complications of liver abscesses,offering insights into their pathogenesis,diagnosis,and management strategies.