Incidence of umbilical vein catheter-associated thrombosis of the portal system: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The use of umbilical venous catheters(UVCs)in the perinatal period may be associated with severe complications,including the occurrence of portal vein thrombosis(PVT).AIM To assess the incidence of UVC-related PVT in infants with postnatal age up to three months.METHODS A systematic and comprehensive database searching(PubMed,Cochrane Library,Scopus,Web of Science)was performed for studies from 1980 to 2020(the search was last updated on November 28,2020).We included in the final analyses all peer-reviewed prospective cohort studies,retrospective cohort studies and casecontrol studies.The reference lists of included articles were hand-searched to identify additional studies of interest.Studies were considered eligible when they included infants with postnatal age up to three months with UVC-associated PVT.Incidence estimates were pooled by using random effects meta-analyses.The quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.The systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis(PRISMA)guidelines.RESULTS Overall,16 studies were considered eligible and included in the final analyses.The data confirmed the relevant risk of UVC-related thrombosis.The mean pooled incidence of such condition was 12%,although it varied across studies(0%-49%).In 15/16 studies(94%),diagnosis of thrombosis was made accidentally during routine screening controls,whilst in 1/16 study(6%)targeted imaging assessments were carried out in neonates with clinical concerns for a thrombus.Tip position was investigated by abdominal ultrasound(US)alone in 1/16(6%)studies,by a combination of radiography and abdominal US in 14/16(88%)studies and by a combination of radiography,abdominal US and echocardiography in 1/16(6%)studies.CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge,this is the first systematic review specifically investigating the incidence of UVC-related PVT.The use of UVCs requires a high index of suspicion,because its use is significantly associated with PVT.Well-designed prospective studies are required to assess the optimal approach to prevent UVCrelated thrombosis of the portal system.

contrast enhanced computed tomography and reconstruction of hepatic vascular system for transjugular intrahepatic portal systemic shunt puncture path planning

AIM: To describe a method for the transjugular intrahepatic portal systemic shunt(TIPS) placement performed with the aid of contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CECT) and three-dimensional reconstructed vascular images(3D RVIs), and to assess its safety and effectiveness. METHODS: Four hundred and ninety patients were treated with TIPS between January 2005 and December 2012. All patients underwent liver CECT and reconstruction of 3D RVIs of the right hepatic vein to portal vein(PV) prior to the operation. The 3D RVIs were carefully reviewed to plan the puncture path fromthe start to target points for needle pass through the PV in the TIPS procedure. R E S U LTS :The improved TIPS procedure was successful in 483(98.6%) of the 490 patients. The number of punctures attempted was one in 294(60%) patients, 2 to 3 in 147(30%) patients, 4 to 6 in 25(5.1%) patients and more than 6 in 17(3.5%) patients. Seven patients failed. Of the 490 patients, 12 had punctures into the artery, 15 into the bile duct, eight into the gallbladder, and 18 through the liver capsule. Analysis of the portograms from the 483 successful cases indicated that the puncture points were all located distally to the PV bifurcation on anteroposterior images, while the points were located proximally to the bifurcation in the three cases with intraabdominal bleeding. The complications included three cases of bleeding, of whom one died and two needed surgery. CONCLUSION: Use of CECT and 3D RVIs to plan the puncture path for TIPS procedure is safe, simple and effective for clinical use.

Role of the portal system in liver regeneration:From molecular mechanisms to clinical management

The liver has a strong regenerative capacity that ensures patient recovery after hepatectomy and liver transplantation.The portal system plays a crucial role in the dual blood supply to the liver,making it a significant factor in hepatic function.Several surgical strategies,such as portal vein ligation,associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy,and dual vein embolization,have high-lighted the portal system's importance in liver regeneration.Following hepatectomy or liver trans-plantation,the hemodynamic properties of the portal system change dramatically,triggering regeneration via shear stress and the induction of hypoxia.However,excessive portal hyperperfusion can harm the liver and negatively affect patient outcomes.Furthermore,as the importance of the gut-liver axis has gradually been revealed,the effect of metabolites and cytokines from gut microbes carried by portal blood on liver regeneration has been acknowledged.From these perspectives,this review outlines the molecular mechanisms of the portal system's role in liver regeneration and summarizes therapeutic strategies based on the portal system intervention to promote liver regeneration.

Intrahepatic portal venous systems in adult patients with cavernous transformation of portal vein: Imaging features and a new classification

Background: Cavernous transformation of the portal vein(CTPV) due to portal vein obstruction is a rare vascular anomaly defined as the formation of multiple collateral vessels in the hepatic hilum. This study aimed to investigate the imaging features of intrahepatic portal vein in adult patients with CTPV and establish the relationship between the manifestations of intrahepatic portal vein and the progression of CTPV. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 14 CTPV patients in Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital. All patients underwent both direct portal venography(DPV) and computed tomography angiography(CTA) to reveal the manifestations of the portal venous system. The vessels measured included the left portal vein(LPV), right portal vein(RPV), main portal vein(MPV) and the portal vein bifurcation(PVB). Results: Nine males and 5 females, with a median age of 40.5 years, were included in the study. No significant difference was found in the diameters of the LPV or RPV measured by DPV and CTA. The visualization in terms of LPV, RPV and PVB measured by DPV was higher than that by CTA. There was a significant association between LPV/RPV and PVB/MPV in term of visibility revealed with DPV( P = 0.01), while this association was not observed with CTA. According to the imaging features of the portal vein measured by DPV, CTPV was classified into three categories to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment. Conclusions: DPV was more accurate than CTA for revealing the course of the intrahepatic portal vein in patients with CTPV. The classification of CTPV, that originated from the imaging features of the portal vein revealed by DPV, may provide a new perspective for the diagnosis and treatment of CTPV.

Bayesian network-based survival prediction model for patients having undergone post-transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for portal hypertension

BACKGROUND Portal hypertension(PHT),primarily induced by cirrhosis,manifests severe symptoms impacting patient survival.Although transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)is a critical intervention for managing PHT,it carries risks like hepatic encephalopathy,thus affecting patient survival prognosis.To our knowledge,existing prognostic models for post-TIPS survival in patients with PHT fail to account for the interplay among and collective impact of various prognostic factors on outcomes.Consequently,the development of an innovative modeling approach is essential to address this limitation.AIM To develop and validate a Bayesian network(BN)-based survival prediction model for patients with cirrhosis-induced PHT having undergone TIPS.METHODS The clinical data of 393 patients with cirrhosis-induced PHT who underwent TIPS surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between January 2015 and May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Variables were selected using Cox and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression methods,and a BN-based model was established and evaluated to predict survival in patients having undergone TIPS surgery for PHT.RESULTS Variable selection revealed the following as key factors impacting survival:age,ascites,hypertension,indications for TIPS,postoperative portal vein pressure(post-PVP),aspartate aminotransferase,alkaline phosphatase,total bilirubin,prealbumin,the Child-Pugh grade,and the model for end-stage liver disease(MELD)score.Based on the above-mentioned variables,a BN-based 2-year survival prognostic prediction model was constructed,which identified the following factors to be directly linked to the survival time:age,ascites,indications for TIPS,concurrent hypertension,post-PVP,the Child-Pugh grade,and the MELD score.The Bayesian information criterion was 3589.04,and 10-fold cross-validation indicated an average log-likelihood loss of 5.55 with a standard deviation of 0.16.The model’s accuracy,precision,recall,and F1 score were 0.90,0.92,0.97,and 0.95 respectively,with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve being 0.72.CONCLUSION This study successfully developed a BN-based survival prediction model with good predictive capabilities.It offers valuable insights for treatment strategies and prognostic evaluations in patients having undergone TIPS surgery for PHT.

Alterations in the gut microbiome after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with hepatitis B virus-related portal hypertension

BACKGROUND Gut microbiota(GM)affects the progression and response to treatment in liver diseases.The GM composition is diverse and associated with different etiologies of liver diseases.Notably,alterations in GM alterations are observed in patients with portal hypertension(PH)secondary to cirrhosis,with hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection being a major cause of cirrhosis in China.Thus,understanding the role of GM alterations in patients with HBV infection-related PH is essential.AIM To evaluate GM alterations in patients with HBV-related PH after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)placement.METHODS This was a prospective,observational clinical study.There were 30 patients(with a 100%technical success rate)recruited in the present study.Patients with esophagogastric variceal bleeding due to HBV infection-associated PH who underwent TIPS were enrolled.Stool samples were obtained before and one month after TIPS treatment,and GM was analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA amplicon sequencing.RESULTS One month after TIPS placement,8 patients developed hepatic encephalopathy(HE)and were assigned to the HE group;the other 22 patients were assigned to the non-HE group.There was no substantial disparity in the abundance of GM at the phylum level between the two groups,regardless of TIPS treatment(all,P>0.05).However,following TIPS placement,the following results were observed:(1)The abundance of Haemophilus and Eggerthella increased,whereas that of Anaerostipes,Dialister,Butyricicoccus,and Oscillospira declined in the HE group;(2)The richness of Eggerthella,Streptococcus,and Bilophila increased,whereas that of Roseburia and Ruminococcus decreased in the non-HE group;and(3)Members from the pathogenic genus Morganella appeared in the HE group but not in the non-HE group.CONCLUSION Intestinal microbiota-related synergism may predict the risk of HE following TIPS placement in patients with HBVrelated PH.Prophylactic microbiome therapies may be useful for preventing and treating HE after TIPS placement.

Spleen volume is associated with overt hepatic encephalopathy after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with portal hypertension

BACKGROUND Portal shunt and immune status related to the spleen are related to the occurrence of hepatic encephalopathy(HE).It is unknown whether spleen volume before transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)is related to postoperative HE.AIM To investigate the relationship between spleen volume and the occurrence of HE.METHODS This study included 135 patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent TIPS,and liver and spleen volumes were elevated upon computed tomography imaging.The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to compare the difference in the incidence rate of HE among patients with different spleen volumes.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify the factors affecting overt HE(OHE).Restricted cubic spline was used to examine the shapes of the dose-response association between spleen volumes and OHE risk.RESULTS The results showed that 37(27.2%)of 135 patients experienced OHE during a 1-year follow-up period.Compared with preoperative spleen volume(901.30±471.90 cm3),there was a significant decrease in spleen volume after TIPS(697.60±281.0 cm^(3))in OHE patients.As the severity of OHE increased,the spleen volume significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with patients with a spleen volume≥782.4 cm^(3),those with a spleen volume<782.4 cm^(3) had a higher incidence of HE(P<0.05).Cox regression analysis showed that spleen volume was an independent risk factor for post-TIPS OHE(hazard ratio=0.494,P<0.05).Restricted cubic spline model showed that with an increasing spleen volume,OHE risk showed an initial increase and then decrease(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Spleen volume is related to the occurrence of OHE after TIPS.Preoperative spleen volume is an independent risk factor for post-TIPS OHE.

Milestones to optimize of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt technique as a method for the treatment of portal hypertension complications

This editorial describes the milestones to optimize of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)technique,which have made it one of the main methods for the treatment of portal hypertension complications worldwide.Innovative ideas,subsequent experimental studies and preliminary experience of use in cirrhotic patients contributed to the introduction of TIPS into clinical practice.At the moment,the main achievement in optimize of TIPS technique is progress in the qualitative characteristics of stents.The transition from bare metal stents to extended polytetrafluoroethylene–covered stent grafts made it possible to significantly prevent shunt dysfunction.However,the question of its preferred diameter,which contributes to an optimal reduction of portal pressure without the risk of developing post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy,remains relevant.Currently,hepatic encephalopathy is one of the most common complications of TIPS,significantly affecting its effectiveness and prognosis.Careful selection of patients based on cognitive indicators,nutritional status,assessment of liver function,etc.,will reduce the incidence of post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy and improve treatment results.Optimize of TIPS technique has significantly expanded the indications for its use and made it one of the main methods for the treatment of portal hypertension complications.At the same time,there are a number of limitations and unresolved issues that require further randomized controlled trials involving a large cohort of patients.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for esophagogastric variceal bleeding in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and portal vein tumor thrombus

BACKGROUND Whether hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)with portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT)and acute esophagogastric variceal bleeding(EGVB)can improve the success rate of endoscopic hemostasis and overall survival(OS)from transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)remains controversial.AIM To compare the clinical outcomes between TIPS and standard treatment for such HCC patients.METHODS This monocenter,retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed as HCC with PVTT and upper gastrointestinal bleeding.Patients were grouped by the treatment(TIPS or standard conservative treatment).The success rate of en-doscopic hemostasis,OS,rebleeding rates,and main causes of death were ana-lyzed.RESULTS Between July 2015 and September 2021,a total of 77 patients(29 with TIPS and 48 with standard treatment)were included.The success rate of endoscopic hemostasis was 96.6%in the TIPS group and 95.8%in the standard treatment group.All the 29 patients in TIPS group successful underwent TIPS procedure and had a better OS compared with standard treatment within the first 160 days after treatment(68 days vs 43 days,P=0.022),but shorter OS after 160 days(298 days vs 472 days, P = 0.022). Cheng’s Classification of PVTT, total bilirubin and Child-Pugh class wereindependently negative associated with OS (all P < 0.05). The main causes of death were liver failure or hepaticencephalopathy (75.9%) in the TIPS group and rebleeding (68.8%) in the standard treatment.CONCLUSIONTIPS could reduce the risk of early death due to rebleeding and prolong short-term survival in HCC patients withPVTT and acute EGVB, which deserves further investigation.

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia involving portal venous system:A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia(HHT)is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder with an incidence of approximately 1 in 5000 in the general population.It is characterized by vasodilation,which affects specific organs,such as the skin,mucous membranes,brain,lungs,gastrointestinal tract,liver,and others.However,HHT rarely involves the portal venous system to cause serious clinical compli-cations.CASE SUMMARY A 68-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department due to four consecutive days of abdominal pain and bloody stool and was subsequently diagnosed with HHT.Computed tomography angiography confirmed the presence of an arteriovenous fistula(AVFs).Considering this specific manifestation,whole exome sequencing was performed.After a comprehensive evaluation,a selective superior mesenteric artery embolization was prioritized to avoid intestinal ischemia.The postoperative symptoms of the patient were quickly relieved.Unfortunately,two months post-procedure the patient died from intestinal necrosis and abdominal infection related to remaining AVFs.CONCLUSION For patients with diffuse superior mesenteric AVFs,selective mesenteric arterial embolization may lead to positive short-term outcomes.

Simultaneous portal and hepatic vein embolization is better than portal embolization or ALPPS for hypertrophy of future liver remnant before major hepatectomy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background:Post-hepatectomy liver failure(PHLF)is the Achilles’heel of hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases.The most commonly used procedure to generate hypertrophy of the functional liver remnant(FLR)is portal vein embolization(PVE),which does not always lead to successful hypertrophy.Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy(ALPPS)has been proposed to overcome the limitations of PVE.Liver venous deprivation(LVD),a technique that includes simultaneous portal and hepatic vein embolization,has also been proposed as an alternative to ALPPS.The present study aimed to conduct a systematic review as the first network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy,effectiveness,and safety of the three regenerative techniques.Data sources:A systematic search for literature was conducted using the electronic databases Embase,PubMed(MEDLINE),Google Scholar and Cochrane.Results:The time to operation was significantly shorter in the ALPPS cohort than in the PVE and LVD cohorts by 27 and 22 days,respectively.Intraoperative parameters of blood loss and the Pringle maneuver demonstrated non-significant differences between the PVE and LVD cohorts.There was evidence of a significantly higher FLR hypertrophy rate in the ALPPS cohort when compared to the PVE cohort,but non-significant differences were observed when compared to the LVD cohort.Notably,the LVD cohort demonstrated a significantly better FLR/body weight(BW)ratio compared to both the ALPPS and PVE cohorts.Both the PVE and LVD cohorts demonstrated significantly lower major morbidity rates compared to the ALPPS cohort.The LVD cohort also demonstrated a significantly lower 90-day mortality rate compared to both the PVE and ALPPS cohorts.Conclusions:LVD in adequately selected patients may induce adequate and profound FLR hypertrophy before major hepatectomy.Present evidence demonstrated significantly lower major morbidity and mortality rates in the LVD cohort than in the ALPPS and PVE cohorts.

Application of transmesenteric vein extrahepatic portosystemic shunt in treatment of symptomatic portal hypertension with cavernous transformation of portal vein

Purpose:To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a transmesenteric vein extrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TmEPS)for the treatment of cavernous transformation of the portal vein(CTPV).Materials and methods:The clinical data of 20 patients with CTPV who underwent TmEPS between December 2020and January 2022 at Henan Provincial People’s Hospital were retrospectively collected.The superior mesenteric vein(SMV)trunk was patent or partially occluded in these patients.An extrahepatic portosystemic shunt between the inferior vena cava and the SMV was established using a stent graft through an infraumbilical median longitudinal mini-laparotomy.The technical success,efficacy,and complication rates were evaluated,and the preand postoperative SMV pressures were compared.Patients’clinical outcomes and shunt patency were assessed.Results:TmEPS was successfully performed in 20 patients.The initial puncture success rate of the balloon-assisted puncture technique is 95%.The mean SMV pressure decreased from 29.1±2.9 mmHg to 15.6±3.3 mmHg(p<0.001).All symptoms of portal hypertension resolved.No fatal procedural complications occurred.During the follow-up period,hepatic encephalopathy occurred in two patients.The remaining patients remained asymptomatic.All shunts were patent.Conclusions:TmEPS is a feasible,safe,and effective treatment option for patients with CTPV.

Liver transplantation and resection in patients with hepatocellular cancer and portal vein tumor thrombosis: Feasible and effective?

Patients with locally advanced hepatocellular cancer(HCC)and portal vein tumor thrombosis(PVTT)have a dismal prognosis since limited treatment options are available for them.In recent years,effective systemic therapy,and advances in the understanding of technicalities and effectiveness of ablative therapies especially radiotherapy,have given some hope to prolong survival in them.This review summarized recent evidence in literature regarding the possible role of liver resection(LR)and liver transplantation(LT)in patients with locally advanced HCC and PVTT with no extrahepatic disease.Downstaging therapies have helped make curative resection or LT a reality in selected patients.This review emphasizes on the key points to focus on when considering surgery in these patients,who are usually relegated to palliative systemic therapy alone.Meticulous patient selection based on tumor biology,documented downstaging based on imaging and decrease in tumor marker levels,and an adequate waiting period to demonstrate stable disease,may help obtain satisfactory long-term outcomes post LR or LT in an intention to treat strategy in patients with HCC and PVTT.

Hepatic recompensation according to Baveno VII criteria via transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is a therapeutic modality done through interventional radiology.It is aimed to decrease portal pressure in special situations for patients with decompensated liver disease with portal hypertension.It represents a potential addition to the therapeutic modalities that could achieve hepatic recompensation in those patients based on Baveno VII criteria.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt:A promising therapy for recompensation in cirrhotic patients

This is a retrospective study focused on recompensation after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)procedure.The authors confirmed TIPS could be a treatment for recompensation of patients with cirrhosis according to Baveno VII.The paper identified age and post-TIPS portal pressure gradient as independent predictors of recompensation in patients with decompensated cirrhosis after TIPS.These results need to be validated in a larger prospective cohort.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with PD-1 inhibitors and Lenvatinib for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients complicated with portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT)exhibit poor prognoses and treatment responses.AIM To investigate efficacies and safety of the combination of PD-1 inhibitor,transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)and Lenvatinib in HCC subjects comorbid with PVTT.METHODS From January 2019 to December 2020,HCC patients with PVTT types Ⅰ-Ⅳ were retrospectively enrolled at Beijing Ditan Hospital.They were distributed to either the PTL or TACE/Lenvatinib(TL)group.The median progression-free survival(mPFS)was set as the primary endpoint,while parameters like median overall survival,objective response rate,disease control rate(DCR),and toxicity level served as secondary endpoints.RESULTS Forty-one eligible patients were finally recruited for this study and divided into the PTL(n=18)and TL(n=23)groups.For a median follow-up of 21.8 months,the DCRs were 88.9%and 60.9%in the PTL and TL groups(P=0.046),res-pectively.Moreover,mPFS indicated significant improvement(HR=0.25;P<0.001)in PTL-treated patients(5.4 months)compared to TL-treated(2.7 months)patients.There were no treatment-related deaths or differences in adverse events in either group.CONCLUSION A triplet regimen of PTL was safe and well-tolerated as well as exhibited favorable efficacy over the TL regimen for advanced-stage HCC patients with PVTT types Ⅰ-Ⅳ.

Conversion therapy of a giant hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombus and inferior vena cava thrombus:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)combined with portal and hepatic vein cancerous thrombosis is poor,for unresectable patients the combination of targeted therapy and immune therapy was the first-line recommended treatment for advanced HCC,with a median survival time of only about 2.7-6 months.In this case report,we present the case of a patient with portal and hepatic vein cancerous thrombosis who achieved pathologic complete response after conversion therapy.CASE SUMMARY In our center,a patient with giant HCC combined with portal vein tumor thrombus and hepatic vein tumor thrombus was treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE),radiotherapy,targeted therapy and immunotherapy,and was continuously given icaritin soft capsules for oral regulation.After 7 months of conversion therapy,the patient's tumor shrank and the tumor thrombus subsided significantly.The pathology of surgical resection was in complete remission,and there was no progression in the postoperative follow-up for 7 months,which provided a basis for the future strategy of combined conversion therapy.CONCLUSION In this case,atezolizumab,bevacizumab,icaritin soft capsules combined with radiotherapy and TACE had a good effect.For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma combined with hepatic vein/inferior vena cava tumor thrombus,adopting a high-intensity,multimodal proactive strategy under the guidance of multidisciplinary team(MDT)is an important attempt to break through the current treatment dilemma.

Non-target lung embolization during portal vein embolization due to an unrecognized portosystemic venous fistula:A case report

BACKGROUND Portal vein embolization(PVE)is an effective and relatively safe procedure performed prior to major hepatic resection to enhance future liver remnant.Nontarget embolization during PVE is rare,and if it occurs,it usually affects the future liver remnant.Intrahepatic portosystemic venous fistulas are extremely rare in non-cirrhotic livers.We report a case of non-targeted lung embolization during PVE due to an unrecognized intrahepatic portosystemic fistula.CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old male presented with metastatic colon cancer of the liver.The patient underwent preoperative right PVE.During the embolization procedure,a small amount of glue and lipiodol emulsion was embolized to the heart and lungs through an unrecognized intrahepatic portosystemic fistula.The patient remained clinically stable and underwent the planned hepatic resection after 4 wk,with an uneventful postoperative course.CONCLUSION Conventional portograms and careful evaluation prior to PVE are advisable to avoid such complications.

Application of ultrasonography-elastography score to suspect porto-sinusoidal vascular disease in patients with portal vein thrombosis

Background:Porto-sinusoidal vascular disease(PSVD)and portal vein thrombosis(PVT)are causes of portal hypertension characterized respectively by an intrahepatic and a pre-hepatic obstacle to the flow in the portal system.As PVT may be a consequence of PSVD,in PVT patients at presentation,a pre-existing PSVD should be suspected.In these patients the identification of an underlying PSVD would have relevant implication regarding follow-up and therapeutic management,but it could be challenging.In this setting ultrasonography may be valuable in differential diagnosis.The aim of the study was to use ultrasonography to identify parameters to discriminate between PSVD and“pure”PVT and then to suspect PVT secondary to a pre-existing PSVD.Methods:Fifty-three patients with histologically proven PSVD and forty-eight patients affected by chronic PVT were enrolled and submitted to abdominal ultrasonography with elastography by acoustic radiation force impulse(ARFI).Results:ARFI was higher and superior mesenteric vein(SMV)diameter was wider in PSVD patients than in PVT patients.Thus,a prognostic score was obtained as linear combinations of the two parameters with a good discrimination capacity between PSVD and PVT(the area under the curve=0.780;95%confidence interval:0.690-0.869).Conclusions:A score based on ARFI and SMV diameter may be useful to suspect an underlying PSVD in patients with PVT and to identify a subgroup of patients to be submitted to liver biopsy.

Recent advances in promising drugs for primary prevention of gastroesophageal variceal bleeding with cirrhotic portal hypertension

Background:Gastroesophageal variceal bleeding is one of the most severe complications of patients with cirrhosis.Although primary prevention drugs,including non-selectiveβ-blockers,have effectively reduced the incidence of bleeding,their efficacy is limited due to side effects and related contraindications.With recent advances in precision medicine,precise drug treatment provides better treatment efficacy.Data sources:Literature search was conducted in PubMed,MEDLINE and Web of Science for relevant articles published up to May 2022.Information on clinical trials was obtained from https://clinicaltrials.gov/and http://www.chictr.org.cn/.Results:The in-depth understanding of the pathogenesis and advances of portal hypertension has enabled the discovery of multiple molecular targets for promising drugs.According to the site of action,these drugs could be classified into four classes:intrahepatic,extrahepatic,both intrahepatic and extrahepatic targets and others.All these classes of drugs offer advantages over traditional treatments in prevention of gastroesophageal variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension.Conclusions:This review classified and summarized the promising drugs,which prevent gastroesophageal variceal bleeding by targeting specific markers of pathogenesis of portal hypertension,demonstrating the significance of using the precision medicine strategy to discover and develop promising drugs for the primary prevention of gastroesophageal variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension.