Pre-transjugular-intrahepatic-portosystemic-shunt measurement of hepatic venous pressure gradient and its clinical application: A comparison study

BACKGROUND It is controversial whether transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)placement can improve long-term survival.AIM To assess whether TIPS placement improves survival in patients with hepaticvenous-pressure-gradient(HVPG)≥16 mmHg,based on HVPG-related risk stratification.METHODS Consecutive variceal bleeding patients treated with endoscopic therapy+nonselectiveβ-blockers(NSBBs)or covered TIPS placement were retrospectively enrolled between January 2013 and December 2019.HVPG measurements were performed before therapy.The primary outcome was transplant-free survival;secondary endpoints were rebleeding and overt hepatic ence-phalopathy(OHE).RESULTS A total of 184 patients were analyzed(mean age,55.27 years±13.86,107 males;102 in the EVL+NSBB group,82 in the covered TIPS group).Based on the HVPG guided risk stratification,70 patients had HVPG<16 mmHg,and 114 patients had HVPG≥16 mmHg.The median follow-up time of the cohort was 49.5 mo.There was no significant difference in transplant-free survival between the two treatment groups overall(hazard ratio[HR],0.61;95%confidence interval[CI]:0.35-1.05;P=0.07).In the high-HVPG tier,transplant-free survival was higher in the TIPS group(HR,0.44;95%CI:0.23-0.85;P=0.004).In the low-HVPG tier,transplantfree survival after the two treatments was similar(HR,0.86;95%CI:0.33-0.23;P=0.74).Covered TIPS placement decreased the rate of rebleeding independent of the HVPG tier(P<0.001).The difference in OHE between the two groups was not statistically significant(P=0.09;P=0.48).CONCLUSION TIPS placement can effectively improve transplant-free survival when the HVPG is greater than 16 mmHg.

Hepatic venous pressure gradient: Inaccurately estimates portal venous pressure gradient in alcoholic cirrhosis and portal hypertension

BACKGROUND Portal hypertension(PHT)in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis causes a range of clinical symptoms,including gastroesophageal varices and ascites.The hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG),which is easier to measure,has replaced the portal venous pressure gradient(PPG)as the gold standard for diagnosing PHT in clinical practice.Therefore,attention should be paid to the correlation between HVPG and PPG.METHODS Between January 2017 and June 2020,134 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and PHT who met the inclusion criteria underwent various pressure measurements during transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedures.Correlations were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient to estimate the correlation coefficient(r)and determination coefficient(R^(2)).Bland-Altman plots were constructed to further analyze the agreement between the measurements.Disagreements were analyzed using paired t tests,and P values<0.05 were considered statistically significant.RESULTS In this study,the correlation coefficient(r)and determination coefficient(R2)between HVPG and PPG were 0.201 and 0.040,respectively(P=0.020).In the 108 patients with no collateral branch,the average wedged hepatic venous pressure was lower than the average portal venous pressure(30.65±8.17 vs.33.25±6.60 mmHg,P=0.002).Hepatic collaterals were identified in 26 cases with balloon occlusion hepatic venography(19.4%),while the average PPG was significantly higher than the average HVPG(25.94±7.42 mmHg vs 9.86±7.44 mmHg;P<0.001).The differences between HVPG and PPG<5 mmHg in the collateral vs no collateral branch groups were three cases(11.54%)and 44 cases(40.74%),respectively.CONCLUSION In most patients,HVPG cannot accurately represent PPG.The formation of hepatic collaterals is a vital reason for the strong underestimation of HVPG.

Hepatic portal venous gas: Physiopathology, etiology, prognosis and treatment

Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG), an ominous radiologic sign, is associated in some cases with a severe underlying abdominal disease requiring urgent operative intervention. HPVG has been reported with increasing frequency in medical literature and usually accompanies severe or lethal conditions. The diagnosis of HPVG is usually made by plain abdominal radiography, sonography, color Doppler flow imaging or computed tomography (CT) scan. Currently, the increased use of CT scan and ultrasound in the inpatient setting allows early and highly sensitive detection of such severe illnesses and also the recognition of an increasing number of benign and non-life threatening causes of HPVG. HPVG is not by itself a surgical indication and the treatment depends mainly on the underlying disease. The prognosis is related to the pathology itself and is not influenced by the presence of HPVG. Based on a review of the literature, we discuss in this paper the pathophysiology, risk factors, radiographic findings, management, and prognosis of pathologies associated with HPVG.

Comparison of hepatic venous pressure gradient and endoscopic grading of esophageal varices

AIM: To determine the correlation between the hepatic venous pressure gradient and the endoscopic grade of esophageal varices.METHODS: From September 2009 to March 2013, a total of 176 measurements of hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) were done in 146 patients. Each transjugular HVPG was measured twice, first using an end whole catheter (EH-HVPG), and then using a balloon catheter (B-HVPG). The HVPG was compared with the endoscopic grade of esophageal varices (according to the general rules for recording endoscopic findings of esophagogastric varices), which was recorded within a month of the measurement of HVPG.RESULTS: The study included 110 men and 36 women, with a mean age of 56.1 years (range, 43-76 years). The technical success rate of the pressure measurements was 100% and there were no complication related to the procedures. Mean HVPG was 15.3 mmHg as measured using the end hole catheter method and 16.5 mmHg as measured using the balloon catheter method. Mean HVPG (both EH-HVPG and B-HVPG) was not significantly different among patients with different characteristics, including sex and comorbid factors, except for cases with hepatocellular carcinoma (B-HVPG, P = 0.01; EH-HVPG, P = 0.02). Portal hypertension (&#x0003e; 12 mmHg HVPG) occurred in 66% of patients according to EH-HVPG and 83% of patients according to B-HVGP, and significantly correlated with Child&#x02019;s status (B-HVPG, P &#x0003c; 0.000; EH-HVGP, P &#x0003c; 0.000) and esophageal varies observed upon endoscopy (EH-HVGP, P = 0.003; B-HVGP, P = 0.006). One hundred and thirty-five endoscopies were performed, of which 15 showed normal findings, 27 showed grade 1 endoscopic esophageal varices, 49 showed grade 2 varices, and 44 showed grade 3 varices. When comparing endoscopic esophageal variceal grades and HVPG using univariate analysis, the P value was 0.004 for EH-HVPG and 0.002 for B-HVPG.CONCLUSION: Both EH-HVPG and B-HVPG showed a positive correlation with the endoscopic grade of esophageal varices, with B-HVPG showing a stronger correlation than EH-HVPG.

Hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement before TIPS for acute variceal bleeding

Hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG)is an independent predictor of variceal rebleeding in patients with cirrhosis.After pharmacological and/or endoscopic therapy,the use of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)may be necessary in HVPG non-responders,but not in responders.Thus,HVPG measurement may be incorporated into the treatment algorithm for acute variceal bleeding,which further identifies the candidates that should undergo early insertion of TIPS or maintain the traditional pharmacological and/or endoscopic therapy.The potential benefits are to reduce the cost and prevent TIPS-related complications.

Computed tomography perfusion in liver and spleen for hepatitis B virus-related portal hypertension:A correlation study with hepatic venous pressure gradient

BACKGROUND Hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG)is the gold standard for diagnosis of portal hypertension(PH).However,its use can be limited because it is an invasive procedure.Therefore,it is necessary to explore a non-invasive method to assess PH.AIM To investigate the correlation of computed tomography(CT)perfusion of the liver with HVPG and Child-Pugh score in hepatitis B virus(HBV)-related PH.METHODS Twenty-eight patients(4 female,24 male)with gastroesophageal variceal bleeding induced by HBV-related PH were recruited in our study.All patients received CT perfusion of the liver before transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent-shunt(TIPS)therapy.Quantitative parameters of CT perfusion of the liver,including liver blood flow(LBF),liver blood volume(LBV),hepatic artery fraction,splenic blood flow and splenic blood volume were measured.HVPG was recorded during TIPS therapy.Correlation of liver perfusion with Child-Pugh score and HVPG were analyzed,and the receiver operating characteristic curve was analyzed.Based on HVPG(>12 mmHg vs≤12 mmHg),patients were divided into moderate and severe groups,and all parameters were compared.RESULTS Based on HVPG,18 patients were classified into the moderate group and 10 patients were classified into the severe group.The Child-Pugh score,HVPG,LBF and LBV were significantly higher in the moderate group compared to the severe group(all P<0.05).LBF and LBV were negatively associated with HVPG(r=-0.473,P<0.05 and r=-0.503,P<0.01,respectively),whereas splenic blood flow was positively associated with hepatic artery fraction(r=0.434,P<0.05).LBV was negatively correlated with Child-Pugh score.Child-Pugh score was not related to HVPG.Using a cutoff value of 17.85 mL/min/100 g for LBV,the sensitivity and specificity of HVPG≥12 mmHg for diagnosis were 80%and 89%,respectively.CONCLUSION LBV and LBF were negatively correlated with HVPG and Child-Pugh scores.CT perfusion imaging is a potential non-invasive quantitative predictor for PH in HBV-related liver cirrhosis.

Balloon dilatation for treatment of hepatic venous outflow obstruction following pediatric liver transplantation

AIM To assess the efficacy and safety of balloon dilatation for the treatment of hepatic venous outflow obstruction(HVOO) following pediatric liver transplantation.METHODS A total of 246 pediatric patients underwent liver transplantation at our hospital between June 2013 and September 2016. Among these patients, five were ultimately diagnosed with HVOO. Seven procedures(two patients underwent two balloon dilatation procedures) were included in this analysis. The demographic data,types of donor and liver transplant, interventional examination and therapeutic outcomes of these five children were analyzed. The median interval time between pediatric liver transplantation and balloon dilatation procedures was 9.8 mo(range: 1-32).RESULTS Five children with HVOO were successfully treated by balloon angioplasty without stent placement, with seven procedures performed for six stenotic lesions. All children underwent successful percutaneous intervention. Among these five patients, four were treated by single balloon angioplasty, and these patients did not develop recurrent stenosis. In seven episodes of balloon angioplasty across the stenosis, the pressure gradient was 12.0 ± 8.8 mm Hg before balloon dilatation and 1.1 ± 1.5 mm Hg after the procedures, which revealed a statistically significant reduction(P < 0.05). The overall technical success rate among these seven procedures was 100%(7/7), and clinical success was achieved in all five patients(100%). The patients were followed for 4-33 mo(median: 15 mo). No significant procedural complications or procedurerelated deaths occurred.CONCLUSION Balloon dilatation is an effective and safe therapeutic option for HVOO in children undergoing pediatric liver transplantation. Venous angioplasty is also recommended in cases with recurrent HVOO.

Sildenafil does not influence hepatic venous pressure gradient in patients with cirrhosis

AIM： To investigate if sildenafil increases splanchnic blood flow and changes the hepatic venous pressure gradient （HVPG） in patients with cirrhosis. Phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors are valuable in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension in patients with end-stage liver disease. However, the effect of phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors on splanchnic blood flow and portal hypertension remains essentially unknown. METHODS： Ten patients with biopsy proven cirrhosis （five females/five males, mean age 54：1：8 years） and an HVPG above 12 mmHg were studied after informed consent. Measurement of splanchnic blood flow and the HVPG during liver vein catheterization were done before and 80 min after oral administration of 50 mg sildenafil. Blood flow was estimated by use of indocyanine green clearance technique and Fick＇s principle, with correction for non-steady state. RESULTS： The plasma concentration of sildenafil was 222 ± 136 ng/mL 80 min after administration. Mean arterial blood pressure decreased from 77 ±7 mmHg to 66 ± 12 mmHg, P = 0.003, while the splanchnicblood flow and oxygen consumption remained unchanged at 1.14 ± 0.71 L/min and 2.3 ± 0.6 mmol/ min, respectively. Also the HVPG remained unchanged （18 ± 2 mmHg vs 16 ± 2 mmHg） with individual changes ranging from -8 mmHg to ±2 mmHg. In seven patients, HVPG decreased and in three it increased. CONCLUSION： In spite of arterial blood pressure decreases 80 min after administration of the phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor sildenafil, the present study could not demonstrate any clinical relevant influence on splanichnic blood flow, oxygen consumption or the HVPG.

Hepatic venous outflow obstruction after piggyback liver transplantation by an unusual mechanism:Report of a case

Hepatic venous outflow obstruction after piggyback liver transplantation is a very rare complication. An unusual mechanism aggravating it is reported. A 33-year-old man with end-stage hepatitis B liver cirrhosis underwent a piggyback orthotopic liver transplantation using a full-size cadaveric graft. Two months after transplantation, he developed gross ascites refractory to maximal diuretic therapy. Doppler ultrasound showed patent portal and hepatic veins. Serial computed tomography scans revealed a hypoperfused right posterior segment of the liver which subsequently underwent atrophy. Hepatic venography demonstrated a high-grade stenosis with an element of torsion of venous drainage at the anastomosis. The stenosis was successfully treated with repeated percutaneous balloon angioplasty. The patient remained asymptomatic six months afterwards with complete resolution of ascites and peripheral edema. We postulate that liver allograft segmental hypoperfusion and atrophy may aggravate or result in a hepatic venous outflow problem by the mechanism of torsion effect. Percutaneous balloon angioplasty is a safe and effective treatment modality for anastomotic stenosis.

Hepatic portal venous gas in pancreatic solitary metastasis from an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND:Hepatic portal venous gas(HPVG) is a rare entity commonly associated with intestinal necrosis and fatal outcome,and various underlying diseases have been reported.Pancreatic solitary metastasis without local extension is also rare in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.METHODS:This report describes an interesting and unusual case of HPVG arising from pancreatic tumor.Autopsy revealed pathogenesis of HPVG and synchronous tumors of the esophagus and pancreas.RESULTS:A 73-year-old man developed synchronous double tumor in the esophagus and pancreas several months before acute abdomen and his death,which were generated by HPVG.Autopsy revealed that HPVG was caused by gastric wall infarction owing to expansion of an isolated pancreatic metastasis from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.CONCLUSIONS:This is the first case of HPVG that was derived from pancreatic tumor infiltration.If he had been diagnosed with solitary pancreatic metastasis from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the first time,he might have an option for chemotherapy,which could let him live longer.

Treatment of hepatic venous stenosis by transfemoral venous balloon dilation following living donor liver transplantation:a case report

Hepatic venous stenosis may be a cause of graft failure in living donor liver transplantation （LDLT）. Balloon dilation and metallic frame approaches have been used successfully to treat hepatic venous stenosis. Here, we report the effect of transfemoral venous balloon dilation for treating a child with hepatic venous stenosis after LDLT .

Results of Fontan in Patients with Apicocaval Juxtaposition or/and Separated Hepatic Venous Drainage

Objective:Modifications of the Fontan operation,which are also known as total cavopulmonary connection(TCPC),are widely applied for patients with functionally univentricular hearts(FUH).Herein,we summed up the different surgical pathways and clinical outcomes in FUH patients with apicocaval juxtaposition(ACJ)or/and separated hepatic venous(SHV)drainage.Methods:Between January 2009 and December 2019,123 patients who undergone TCPC in our institute were included in this retrospective study.We have included 70 patients with ACJ(Group 1)and 53 patients with SHV(Group 2).Moreover,Group 2 included 17 cases combing with ACJ(32.1%).In Group 1,three different TCPC methods were conducted.While 45 cases were conducted with the extracardiac conduit-TCPC(EC-TCPC)method,24 cases used the intracardiac conduit-TCPC(IC-TCPC)method,and only one case used the lateral tunnel-TCPC(LT-TCPC).In Group 2,four TCPC methods were conducted on patients.Forty cases used the EC-TCPC-common open technique,6 cases with IC-TCPC technique,4 cases with LT-TCPC,and 3 cases with intra-extracardiac conduit-TCPC(IEC-TCPC).Results:There were 7 patients in Group 1 and 14 patients in Group 2 who required early re-operation during hospitalization(p<0.05).Postoperative mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP)greater than 15 mmHg emerged as a predictor for early re-operation(p<0.01)and early death(p<0.001)in univariate analysis.Conclusions:TCPC can be performed in these patients and shows beneficial results.Under the Fontan principle of connecting systemic venous to the pulmonary vasculature unimpededly,surgeons should carefully evaluate three components when choosing for the surgical technique:The distance between inferior vena cava(IVC)and the apex;the site of the vertebrae relative to the ACJ;the distance between ACJ and SHV if coexisting.However,the technique should be altered when the postoperative mPAP was greater than 15 mmHg.

Hepatic portal venous gas without definite clinical manifestations of necrotizing enterocolitis in a 3-day-old full-term neonate:A case report

BACKGROUND Neonatal hepatic portal venous gas(HPVG)is associated with a high risk of necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC)and was previously believed to be associated with an increased risk of surgery.CASE SUMMARY A 3-day-old full-term male infant was admitted to the pediatrics department after presenting with"low blood glucose for 10 min".Hypoglycemia was corrected by intravenous glucose administration and oral breast milk.On the 3rd d after admission,an ultrasound examination showed gas accumulation in the hepatic portal vein;this increased on the next day.Abdominal vertical radiograph showed intestinal pneumatosis.Routine blood examination showed that the total number of white blood cells was normal,but neutrophilia was related to age.There was a significant increase in C-reactive protein(CRP).The child was diagnosed with neonatal NEC(early-stage).With nil per os,rehydration,parenteral nutritional support,and anti-infection treatment with no sodium,his hepatic portal vein pneumatosis resolved.In addition,routine blood examination and CRP examination showed significant improvement and his symptoms resolved.The patient was given timely refeeding and gradually transitioned to full milk feeding and was subsequently discharged.Follow-up examination after discharge showed that the general condition of the patient was stable.CONCLUSION The presence of HPVG in neonates indicates early NEC.Early active anti-infective treatment is effective in treating NEC,minimizes the risk of severe NEC,and reduces the need for surgery.The findings of this study imply that early examination of the liver by ultrasound in a sick neonate can help with the early diagnosis of conditions such as NEC.

Portal hypertension in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease:Current knowledge and challenges

Portal hypertension(PH)has traditionally been observed as a consequence of significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).However,recent studies have provided evidence that PH may develop in earlier stages of NAFLD,suggesting that there are additional pathogenetic mechanisms at work in addition to liver fibrosis.The early development of PH in NAFLD is associated with hepatocellular lipid accumulation and ballooning,leading to the compression of liver sinusoids.External compression and intraluminal obstacles cause mechanical forces such as strain,shear stress and elevated hydrostatic pressure that in turn activate mechanotransduction pathways,resulting in endothelial dysfunction and the development of fibrosis.The spatial distribution of histological and functional changes in the periportal and perisinusoidal areas of the liver lobule are considered responsible for the pre-sinusoidal component of PH in patients with NAFLD.Thus,current diagnostic methods such as hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG)measurement tend to underestimate portal pressure(PP)in NAFLD patients,who might decompensate below the HVPG threshold of 10 mmHg,which is traditionally considered the most relevant indicator of clinically significant portal hypertension(CSPH).This creates further challenges in finding a reliable diagnostic method to stratify the prognostic risk in this population of patients.In theory,the measurement of the portal pressure gradient guided by endoscopic ultrasound might overcome the limitations of HVPG measurement by avoiding the influence of the pre-sinusoidal component,but more investigations are needed to test its clinical utility for this indication.Liver and spleen stiffness measurement in combination with platelet count is currently the best-validated non-invasive approach for diagnosing CSPH and varices needing treatment.Lifestyle change remains the cornerstone of the treatment of PH in NAFLD,together with correcting the components of metabolic syndrome,using nonselective beta blockers,whereas emerging candidate drugs require more robust confirmation from clinical trials.

Clinical profile and outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma in primary Budd-Chiari syndrome

BACKGROUND There is scant literature on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome(BCS).AIM To assess the magnitude,clinical characteristics,feasibility,and outcomes of treatment in BCS-HCC.METHODS A total of 904 BCS patients from New Delhi,India and 1140 from Mumbai,India were included.The prevalence and incidence of HCC were determined,and among patients with BCS-HCC,the viability and outcomes of interventional therapy were evaluated.RESULTS In the New Delhi cohort of 35 BCS-HCC patients,18 had HCC at index presentation(prevalence 1.99%),and 17 developed HCC over a follow-up of 4601 person-years,[incidence 0.36(0.22-0.57)per 100 person-years].BCS-HCC patients were older when compared to patients with BCS alone(P=0.001)and had a higher proportion of inferior vena cava block,cirrhosis,and long-segment vascular obstruction.The median alpha-fetoprotein level was higher in patients with BCS-HCC at first presentation than those who developed HCC at follow-up(13029 ng/mL vs 500 ng/mL,P=0.01).Of the 35 BCS-HCC,26(74.3%)underwent radiological interventions for BCS,and 22(62.8%)patients underwent treatment for HCC[transarterial chemoembolization in 18(81.8%),oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor in 3(13.6%),and transarterial radioembolization in 1(4.5%)].The median survival among patients who underwent interventions for HCC compared with those who did not was 3.5 years vs 3.1 mo(P=0.0001).In contrast to the New Delhi cohort,the Mumbai cohort of BCS-HCC patients were predominantly males,presented with a more advanced HCC[Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer C and D],and 2 patients underwent liver transplantation.CONCLUSION HCC is not uncommon in patients with BCS.Radiological interventions and liver transplantation are feasible in select primary BCS-HCC patients and may improve outcomes.

Future directions of noninvasive prediction of esophageal variceal bleeding:No worry about the present computed tomography inefficiency

In this editorial,we comment on the minireview by Martino A,published in the recent issue of World Journal of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2023;15(12):681-689.We focused mainly on the possibility of replacing the hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG)and endoscopy with noninvasive methods for predicting esophageal variceal bleeding.The risk factors for bleeding were the size of the varices,the red sign and the Child-Pugh score.The intrinsic core factor that drove these changes was the HVPG.Therefore,the present studies investigating noninvasive methods,including computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,elastography,and laboratory tests,are working on correlating imaging or serum marker data with intravenous pressure and clinical outcomes,such as bleeding.A single parameter is usually not enough to construct an efficient model.Therefore,multiple factors were used in most of the studies to construct predictive models.Encouraging results have been obtained,in which bleeding prediction was partly reached.However,these methods are not satisfactory enough to replace invasive methods,due to the many drawbacks of different studies.There is still plenty of room for future improvement.Prediction of the precise timing of bleeding using various models,and extracting the texture of variceal walls using high-definition imaging modalities to predict the red sign are interesting directions to lay investment on.

Liver cirrhosis in hepatic vena cava syndrome(or membranous obstruction of inferior vena cava)

Hepatic vena cava syndrome(HVCS) also known as membranous obstruction of inferior vena cava reported mainly from Asia and Africa is an important cause of hepatic venous outflow obstruction(HVOO) that is complicated by high incidence of liver cirrhosis(LC) and moderate to high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). In the past the disease was considered congenital and was included under Budd-Chiari syndrome(BCS). HVCS is a chronic disease common in developing countries, the onset of which is related to poor hygienic living condition. The initial lesion in the disease is a bacterial infection induced localized thrombophlebitis in hepatic portion of inferior vena cava at the site where hepatic veins open which on resolution transforms into stenosis, membrane or thick obstruction,and is followed by development of cavo-caval collateral anastomosis. The disease is characterized by long asymptomatic period and recurrent acute exacerbations(AE) precipitated by clinical or subclinical bacterial infection. AE is managed with prolonged oral antibiotic. Development of LC and HCC in HVCS is related to the severity and frequency of AEs and not to the duration of the disease or the type or severity of the caval obstruction. HVOO that develops during severe acute stage or AE is a pre-cirrhotic condition. Primary BCS on the other hand is a rare disease related to prothrombotic disorders reported mainly among Caucasians that clinically manifest as acute, subacute disease or as fulminant hepatic failure; and is managed with life-long anticoagulation, portosystemic shunt/endovascular angioplasty and stent or liver transplantation. As epidemiology, etiology and natural history of HVCS are different from classical BCS, it is here, recognized as a separate disease entity, a third primary cause of HVOO after sinusoidal obstruction syndrome and BCS. Understanding of the natural history has made early diagnosis of HVCS possible. This paper describes epidemiology, natural history and diagnosis of HVCS and discusses the pathogenesis of LC in the disease and mentions distinctive clinical features of HVCS related LC.

Correlation of pressure gradient in three hepatic veins with portal pressure gradient

BACKGROUND The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body,with functions such as detoxification,digestion,and blood coagulation.In terms of vascular anatomy,the liver is divided into the left and the right liver by the main portal vein,and there are three hepatic efferent veins(right,middle,and left)and two portal branches.Patients with impaired liver function have increased intrahepatic vascular resistance and splanchnic vasodilation,which may lead to an increase in the portal pressure gradient(PPG)and cause portal hypertension(PHT).In order to measure the increased pressure gradient of portal vein,the hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG)can be measured to reflect it in clinical practice.The accuracy of PPG measurements is directly related to patient prognosis.AIM To analyze the correlation between HVPG of three hepatic veins and PPG in patients with PHT.METHODS From January 2017 to December 2019,102 patients with PHT who met the inclusion criteria were evaluated during the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure and analyzed.RESULTS The mean HVPG of the middle hepatic vein was 17.47±10.25 mmHg,and the mean HVPG of the right and left hepatic veins was 16.34±7.60 and 16.52±8.15 mmHg,respectively.The average PPG was 26.03±9.24 mmHg.The correlation coefficient and coefficient of determination of the right hepatic vein,middle hepatic vein,and left hepatic vein were 0.15 and 0.02(P=0.164);0.25 and 0.05(P=0.013);and 0.14 and 0.02(P=0.013),respectively.The mean wedged hepatic vein/venous pressure(WHVP)of the middle and left hepatic veins was similar at 29.71±12.48 and 29.1±10.91 mmHg,respectively,and the mean WHVP of the right hepatic vein was slightly lower at 28.01±8.95 mmHg.The mean portal vein pressure was 34.11±8.56 mmHg.The correlation coefficient and coefficient of determination of the right hepatic vein,middle hepatic vein,and left hepatic vein were 0.26 and 0.07(P=0.009);0.38 and 0.15(P<0.001);and 0.26 and 0.07(P=0.008),respectively.The average free hepatic venous pressure(FHVP)of the right hepatic vein was lowest at 11.67±5.34 mmHg,and the average FHVP of the middle and left hepatic veins was slightly higher at 12.19±4.88 and 11.67±5.34 mmHg,respectively.The average inferior vena cava pressure was 8.27±4.04 mmHg.The correlation coefficient and coefficient of determination of the right hepatic vein,middle hepatic vein,and left hepatic vein were 0.30 and 0.09(P=0.002);0.18 and 0.03(P=0.078);and 0.16 and 0.03(P=0.111),respectively.CONCLUSION Measurement of the middle hepatic vein HVPG could better represent PPG.Considering the high success rate of clinical measurement of the right hepatic vein,it can be the second choice.

Hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement guiding nonselective beta-blocker therapy in a patient with clinically significant portal hypertension

Clinically significant portal hypertension(CSPH),defined as a hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG)≥10 mmHg,is an independent risk factor for decompensated events in patients with compensated cirrhosis.Currently,the Baveno VII consensus recommends using nonselective beta-blockers to treat compensated cirrhosis in patients with CSPH.Here,we report a unusual case of compensated cirrhosis with CSPH caused by hepatitis B,and we successfully adjust NSBBs drug treatment strategies monitoring by HVPG results and achieve response standards.Timely adjustment of NSBBs drug treatment strategies based on HVPG test results for patients with CSPH can improve the final response rate.

Osteopontin: A non-invasive parameter of portal hypertension and prognostic marker of cirrhosis

AIM: To investigate the relationship between osteopontin plasma concentrations and the severity of portal hypertension and to assess osteopontin prognostic value.METHODS: A cohort of 154 patients with confirmed liver cirrhosis (112 ethylic, 108 men, age 34-72 years) were enrolled in the study. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement and laboratory and ultrasound examinations were carried out for all patients. HVPG was measured using a standard catheterization method with the balloon wedge technique. Osteopontin was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method in plasma. Patients were followed up with a specific focus on mortality. The control group consisted of 137 healthy age- and sex- matched individuals.RESULTS: The mean value of HVPG was 16.18 &#x000b1; 5.6 mmHg. Compared to controls, the plasma levels of osteopontin in cirrhotic patients were significantly higher (P &#x0003c; 0.001). The plasma levels of osteopontin were positively related to HVPG (P = 0.0022, r = 0.25) and differed among the individual Child-Pugh groups of patients. The cut-off value of 80 ng/mL osteopontin distinguished patients with significant portal hypertension (HVPG above 10 mmHg) at 75% sensitivity and 63% specificity. The mean follow-up of patients was 3.7 &#x000b1; 2.6 years. The probability of cumulative survival was 39% for patients with HVPG &#x0003e; 10 mmHg and 65% for those with HVPG &#x02264; 10 mmHg (P = 0.0086, odds ratio (OR), 2.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09-7.76). Osteopontin showed a similar prognostic value to HVPG. Patients with osteopontin values above 80 ng/mL had significantly lower cumulative survival compared to those with osteopontin &#x02264; 80 ng/mL (37% vs 56%, P = 0.00035; OR = 2.23, 95%CI: 1.06-4.68).CONCLUSION: Osteopontin is a non-invasive parameter of portal hypertension that distinguishes patients with clinically significant portal hypertension. It is a strong prognostic factor for survival.