Abstract
ABSTRACTIntroduction:Portal hypertension still represents an important health problem worldwide. In the search for knowledge regarding this syndrome, experimental studies with animal models have proven to be useful to point the direction to be taken in future randomized clinical trials.Purpose:To validate the experimental model of portal hypertension and esophagogastric varices in a medium-sized animal.Methods:This study included five minipigs br1. Midline laparotomy with dissection of the portal vein and production of a calibrated stenosis of this vein was performed. Measurement of pressure in the portal venous and digestive endoscopic were performed before and five weeks after the production of a stenosis.Results:All animals were 8 months old, average weight of 17 ± 2.5 kg. The mean pressure of the portal vein immediately before the partial ligation of the portal vein was 8.9 + 1.6 mm Hg, with 26.6 + 5.4 mm Hg in the second measurement five weeks later (p < 0.05). No gastroesophageal varices or hypertensive portal gastropathy were seen at endoscopy procedures in our sample at any time in the study.Conclusion:Portal vein ligation in minipigs has been validated in the production of portal hypertension, but not in the formation of esophageal varices.
Highlights
Portal hypertension still represents an important health problem worldwide
When we focus on the study of esophageal varices, only medium-sized animals allow upper digestive endoscopy
No gastroesophageal varices or hypertensive portal gastropathy were seen at endoscopy procedures in our sample at any time in the study
Summary
Portal hypertension still represents an important health problem worldwide. In the search for knowledge regarding this syndrome, experimental studies with animal models have proven to be useful to point the direction to be taken in future randomized clinical trials. Bleeding from esophageal varices has an accumulated incidence of approximately 10–15% per year, varying according to the degree of liver failure, diameter of the varices and the presence of red signs[1-3] Such event has a 15–25%-mortality rate in the first six weeks after the first episode. Between 2005 and 2007, 480 patients with UGB caused by rupture of esophageal varices were treated at the same center, with average of 20 cases per month[5]. Even with the recommended therapy, mortality caused by esophageal varices rupture in 50 patients seen at HCFMUSP reached 32%5,6-9. This data underlines the importance of continuous refinement of the best therapeutic for the treatment of variceal bleeding
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