Esophageal Varices Research Articles

Sarcopenia is an independent risk factor for short-term mortality in patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

Sarcopenia is common in patients with cirrhosis and is a risk factor for increased mortality. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement has been utilized in cirrhosis patients with decompensation . We investigated the role of sarcopenia in predicting mortality in patients undergoing TIPS. We conducted a single-center retrospective study of 232 patients with cirrhosis who underwent TIPS between January 2010 and December 2015. Sarcopenia was defined by the psoas muscle index (PMI) cutoff value, calculated based on dynamic time-dependent outcomes using X-tile software. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated the difference in survival in the sarcopenia group versus the non-sarcopenia group. . Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the relationship between sarcopenia and post-TIPS mortality during a follow-up period of 1 year. For TIPS indications, 111 (47.84%) patients had refractory ascites, 69 (29.74%) patients had variceal bleeding, 12 (5.17%) patients had ascites, and 40 (17.24%) for other indications. The mean PMI was 4.40 ± 1.55. Sarcopenia was defined as a PMI value of <4.36 in males, and <3.23 in females. Sarcopenia was present in 96 (41.38%) of patients. . Kaplan-Meier analysis showed thatsarcopenia is associated with worse survival (log-rank P < 0.01). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that sarcopenia is independently associated with worse survival during the 1-year follow-up period with an hazard ratio of 2.435 (95% CI 1.346-4.403) ( P < 0.01), after adjusting for age, BMI, indications for TIPS, etiology for cirrhosis, and MELD score and stratified by sex. Sarcopenia is an independent risk factor for 1-year mortality in patients undergoing TIPS and should be considered when patients are evaluated as a candidate for TIPS.

Current concepts in the management of non-cirrhotic non-malignant portal vein thrombosis.

Non-cirrhotic non-malignant portal vein thrombosis (NCPVT) is an uncommon condition characterised by thrombosis of the portal vein, with or without extension into other mesenteric veins, in the absence of cirrhosis or intra-abdominal malignancy. Complications can include intestinal infarction, variceal bleeding and portal biliopathy. In this article, we address current concepts in the management of NCPVT including identification of risk factors, classification and treatment, and review the latest evidence on medical and interventional management options.

Portal hypertension and its prognostic implications in patients with Wilson's disease.

Wilson's disease may progress to cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). We aimed to assess the prevalence and prognostic impact of CSPH-related features on hepatic decompensation and transplant-free survival in patients with Wilson's disease. About 137 patients with Wilson's disease (Leipzig score ≥4), followed for a median observation period of 9.0 (3.9-17.7) years at the Vienna General Hospital, were included in this retrospective study. Overall, 49 (35.8%) developed features of CSPH: 14 (10.2%) varices, 40 (29.2%) splenomegaly, 20 (14.6%) ascites, 18 (13.1%) hepatic encephalopathy and 3 (2.2%) experienced acute variceal bleeding. Overall, 8 (5.8%) patients died, including three deaths caused by CSPH-related complications. Within 10 years, compensated patients with features of CSPH developed more decompensation events (8.3% vs. 1.5% in patients without CSPH, p = 0.3) and had worse transplant-free-survival (91.7% vs. 98.6%), which further declined in patients with hepatic decompensation (26.7%, log-rank: p < 0.0001). Patients with liver stiffness <15 kPa and normal platelets (≥150 G/L) were less likely to decompensate within 10 years (2.6% vs. 8.4%, p = 0.002) and had a better 10-year transplant-free-survival (97.7% vs. 83.9%, p = 0.006). Patients with Wilson's disease developing features of CSPH are at an increased risk for hepatic decompensation and liver-related mortality, warranting for regular screening and timely initiation of effective CSPH-directed treatments.

A Noninferiority Trial Comparing 2 Days vs 5 Days of Terlipressin and Ceftriaxone in Terms of 5-Day Rebleeding for Patients With Acute Gastroesophageal Variceal Hemorrhage.

This trial was to shorten the duration of both vasoconstrictors and prophylactic antibiotics to only 2 days in the therapy of acute gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage. After successful endoscopic hemostasis of gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage, eligible patients were randomized to receive terlipressin infusion 1 mg per 6 hours and ceftriaxone 1 g daily for 5 days (group A) or a similar regimen for 2 days (group B). Primary end points were very early rebleeding at 5 days, and secondary end points included 48-hour hemostasis, 42-day rebleeding, and hospitalization days. Group A comprised 48 patients, and group B comprised 52 patients. Both groups were comparable in the severity of liver disease. Forty-eight-hour initial hemostasis was 95.8% in group A and 100% in group B ( P = 0.13). Very early rebleeding between 3 and 5 days occurred in 1 patient (2.1%) in group A and 2 patients (3.8%) in group B ( P = 0.60). The difference was 1.8% and the 95% confidence interval was -1.31% to 2.08%, which demonstrated noninferiority. Forty-two-day rebleeding occurred in 5 patients (10.4%) in group A and 4 patients (7.7%) in group B ( P = 0.63). The median hospitalization days were 8.5 ± 3.8 days in group A vs 5.6 ± 2.6 days in group B ( P < 0.001). After successful endoscopic hemostasis of acute variceal bleeding, combination of 2-day terlipressin infusion and ceftriaxone therapy was not inferior to the 5-day regimen in terms of very early rebleeding, with the advantage of shortening hospitalization stay.

Mortality, Hepatic Decompensation, and Cardiovascular- and Renal-Related Outcomes in Lean Versus Non-lean Patients Hospitalized With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH).

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is an important cause of cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. In addition, there have been reports of worse extrahepatic outcomes, especially cardiovascular events, in patients with lean patients' fatty liver disease compared to the non-lean group.There is limited data on hepatic, cardiac, and renal outcomes in lean compared to non-lean patients with MASH. This study aims to evaluate the cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic outcomes in hospitalized US adults with MASH, focusing on a comprehensive comparison between lean and non-lean patients. The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried from 2016 to 2020 to identify hospitalizations with MASH. Hospitalizations with a history of overweight and obesity (lean body mass index (BMI) <25 vs. lean BMI >25) were also identified. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular outcomes (MACE: a composite of acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation); major adverse kidney outcome (MAKE: a composite outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI), renal replacement therapy, and renal cancer), and hepatic decompensation (esophageal varices with bleeding, ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatorenal syndrome) Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to derive risk ratios for clinical outcomes. We included 539,275 MASH patients in our sample; 324,330 (60%) were lean. The included patients were mostly female (61%), the mean age was 64 years, and 76% were White. At baseline, non-lean patients had a higher prevalence of heart failure, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. There was no difference in the prevalence of smoking among both groups.In a multivariate analysis, with adjustment for age, sex, race, sarcopenia, cardiometabolic risk factors, hospital characteristics, admission type, socioeconomic factors, and all comorbidities (including 31 Elixhauser comorbidities), lean status was associated with a 40% increased risk of mortality(adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.40, confidence interval (CI) 1.29-1.53), 19% increased risk of MACE (aOR 1.19; 95% CI 1.14-1.24), 20% increased risk of renal decompensation (aOR 1.25; 95% CI 1.20-1.30), and 33% increased risk of hepatic decompensation (aOR 1.33 CI 1.28-1.38). Lean patients with MASH are at higher risk of cardiovascular and renal outcomes and may benefit from enhanced screening for early identification and treatment to improve outcomes.

Management of Portal Hypertension in the Older Patient.

Aging is a process of physiological slowing, reduced regenerative capacity and inability to maintain cellular homeostasis. World Health Organisation declared the commencement of population aging globally, largely attributed to improvement in the healthcare system with early diagnosis and effective clinical management. Liver ages similar to other organs, with reduction in size and blood flow. In this review we aim to evaluate the effect of aging in liver disease. Aging causes dysregulation of major carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism in the liver. Age is a major risk factor for liver fibrosis accelerated by sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction and immunological disharmony. Age plays a major role in patients with liver cirrhosis and influence outcomes in patients with portal hypertension. Transient elastography may be an useful tool in the assessment of portal hypertension. Hepatic structural distortion, increased vascular resistance, state of chronic inflammation, associated comorbidities, lack of physiological reserve in the older population may aggravate portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis and may result in pronounced variceal bleed. Cut-offs for other non-invasive markers of fibrosis may differ in the elderly population. Non-selective beta blockers initiated at lower dose followed by escalation are the first line of therapy in elderly patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, unless contraindicated. Acute variceal bleed in the elderly cirrhotic patients can be life threatening and may cause rapid exsanguination due to poor reserve and associated comorbidities. Vasoactive drugs may be associated with more adverse reactions. Early endoscopy may be warranted in the elderly patients with acute variceal bleed. Role of TIPS in the elderly cirrhotics discussed. Management of portal hypertension in the older population may pose significant challenges to the treating clinician.

Optimizing Acute Variceal Bleeding Management: Abbreviated Therapy With Terlipressin and Antibiotics

Optimizing Acute Variceal Bleeding Management: Abbreviated Therapy With Terlipressin and Antibiotics

Reinforcing the management of type 1 gastric esophageal varices.

Variceal bleed represents an important complication of cirrhosis, with its presence reflecting the severity of liver disease. Gastric varices, though less frequently seen than esophageal varices, present a distinct clinical challenge due to its higher intensity of bleeding and associated mortality. Based upon the Sarin classification, GOV1 is the most common subtype of gastric varices seen in clinical practice.

Frequency of Different Causes of Upper GI Bleed Using Endoscopic Procedure

Background: Upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a significant clinical emergency that necessitates swift and precise diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Due to its diverse etiologies, ranging from peptic ulcers to variceal bleeding, understanding these causes is crucial for effective management. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of various causes of upper GI bleeding through endoscopic examination. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Gastroenterology, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Hyderabad, involving 150 hemodynamically stable patients who had fasted for 6 to 8 hours. A comprehensive physical examination and detailed medical history preceded the endoscopic procedures. Data were captured on a structured proforma and analyzed using SPSS software, version 26.0. Results: The cohort's mean age was 50.35 years (range 18-85 years), with a male predominance of 72%. Variceal bleeding was the most common finding (64.7%), followed by peptic ulcers (24%), Mallory-Weiss tears (12.7%), vascular anomalies (13.3%), gastric ulcers (7.3%), duodenal ulcers (6%), erosive gastritis (3.3%), and esophagitis (2.7%). Conclusion: Upper GI bleeding predominantly affects older adult males, with variceal bleeding accounting for about two-thirds of cases. The diversity of underlying causes highlights the need for accurate diagnostics and tailored treatments for high-risk groups.

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided portal pressure gradient identifies patients with previously undiagnosed clinically significant portal hypertension

AbstractAimsPortal hypertension (PH) is a complication of cirrhosis that leads to hepatic decompensation. Assessing the portal pressure gradient (PPG) provides valuable information for disease assessment, staging, and prognosis. In this study, we aimed to report the utilization of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided PPG (EUS‐PPG) measurements in a real‐world setting.MethodsThis retrospective analysis included patients at a tertiary care center who underwent EUS‐PPG between February 2021 and May 2022. The most common indication was to establish or exclude the diagnosis of cirrhosis, followed by an assessment of surgical risk in the setting of suspected cirrhosis. Extensive demographic and clinical data were collected, and statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t test.ResultsEighteen patients underwent EUS‐PPG. Technical success was achieved in 17 of the 18 patients. No complications were observed. The mean scores of Child‐Pugh, Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease‐Sodium, and Fibrosis‐4 scores were 5.1 ± 0.5, 9.0 ± 3.0, and 3.7 ± 4.5, respectively. Of the 18 patients, two presented with esophageal varices and six with portal hypertensive gastropathy. The mean PPG was 5.8 ± 4.5 mmHg, and five patients exhibited clinically significant PH (CSPH). Of the 18 patients, 15 underwent concurrent EUS‐liver biopsy, which was 100% successful and provided diagnostic histology for all patients. The PPG data led to changes in the clinical management of 17 patients.ConclusionsEUS‐PPG is safe and technically feasible. The Child‐Pugh score did not correlate well with the presence of CSPH; however, PPG measurements resulted in changes in the management of almost all patients. Larger studies correlating EUS‐PPG with other assessments of liver diseases are required.

Computed tomography for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal varices and risk assessment in patients with cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT) for gastroesophageal varices (GEVs) and identify high-risk GEVs in patients with cirrhosis. A comprehensive search of databases identified 28 studies reporting on CT-based diagnosis for GEVs confirmed via endoscopy. Meta-analyses were conducted to calculate the pooled sensitivity (SEN) and pooled specificity (SPE), positive likelihood ratio (PLR) and negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and the area under the curve (AUC). Based on the number of patients (or varices), the pooled SEN, SPE, PLR, NLR, DOR, and AUC of CT-based diagnosis were estimated at 0.91 (0.92), 0.81 (0.45), 4.82 (1.67), 0.11 (0.17), 42.47 (10.26), and 0.93 (0.94), respectively, for any GEV and at 0.89 (0.89), 0.90 (0.79), 8.86 (4.28), 0.12 (0.14), 75.71 (30.19), and 0.95 (0.85), respectively, for high-risk GEVs. Subgroup analyses indicated that CT had a higher diagnostic accuracy for esophageal varices compared with gastric varices (AUC: 0.93 vs. 0.89, P < 0.05), and the 64-slice CT yielded superior SEN compared with 16-slice and <16-slice CT (AUC: 0.97 vs. 0.92 and 0.82, respectively, P < 0.05). Prospective studies demonstrated higher diagnostic accuracy than retrospective studies (AUC: 0.95 vs. 0.90, P < 0.05). Regarding variceal size, a cut-off of 3 mm and 5 mm discriminated between low- and high-risk individuals, respectively, with high diagnostic accuracy (AUC: 0.992 vs. 0.997, P > 0.05). CT demonstrates promising diagnostic accuracy for identifying GEVs and distinguishing high-risk GEVs in patients with cirrhosis. Further research validating optimal variceal size cut-offs is warranted to enhance clinical utility. Such a high diagnostic accuracy of CT scans for predicting varices is clinically meaningful for patients with cirrhosis accompanied by portal hypertension. If high-risk varices are identified at CT scans, early intervention would be helpful to reduce the risk of variceal bleeding.

Treatment of portal hypertension complicated by variceal bleeding

Background. Mortality in variceal bleeding (VB) on the background of portal hypertension (PH) is highest among patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. The treatment of PH complicated by VB is a complex problem that is far from being solved, especially in case of Child-Pugh class B and C decompensation. The aim of the study was to determine the causes of PH complicated by VB, features of conservative and interventional therapy, indications and nature of surgical procedures, treatment efficacy, as well as causes of complications and mortality. Materials and methods. We analyzed treatment outcomes of 923 inpatients with PH complicated by VB who were treated in the clinic of the Department of Surgery of the Faculty of Dentistry of Bogomolets National Medical University on the basis of the Kyiv City Clinical Emergency Hospital from 2012 to 2023. It was possible to talk about the cause of PH based on anamnestic data in 61 % of cases. In 711 (77 %) patients, the source of bleeding was detected endoscopically within 30–60 minutes from the moment of admission to the clinic. Conservative therapy included the administration of hemostatic and agents lowering pressure in the portal system, as well as vasoconstrictors that reduce portal blood flow. For the failure of conservative therapy, unstable hemostasis, and repeated previous bleedings, 59 (6.4 %) patients were operated. The methodology of the research analysis consisted in the fact that the arithmetic mean and standard error (M ± m) were determined as the characteristics of the groups for features with a distribution corresponding to the Gaussian law. This reference method of descriptive statistics was applied to evaluate surgical treatment in comparison with conservative therapy and interventional measures. Results. Endoscopic hemostasis by the ligature method was achieved in 97 (10.5 %) patients. Repeated endoscopy due to VB recurrence was done in 276 (29.9 %) participants. In cases of unsatisfactory endoscopic hemostasis, as well as recurrent VB, a Sengstaken-Blakemore probe was installed. In case of right-sided PH, the formation of varices in the esophagus is caused by the discharge of blood mainly through the coronary vein, which required its transection during еsophagogastric devascularization. In compliance with this rule, the patients underwent esophagogastric devascularization, circular transection of the esophagus, which provided portoazygous disconnection. The total mortality rate was 43.1 %, among operated people — 8.5 %, and among non-operated ones — 42.1 %. Conclusions. PH complicated by VB is evidence of decompensated processes in the liver parenchyma or obstruction in the portal system. Conservative therapy and interventional measures make it possible to stop bleeding and prepare the patient for elective surgery, if necessary. An operation that stops blood flow through dilated veins of the esophagus or stomach is an effective method of treating bleeding in portal hypertension.

Can laparoscopic splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection be safely performed in patients presenting with cirrhosis, hypersplenism and gastroesophageal variceal bleeding? How to do it, tips and tricks (with videos)

BackgroundThe minimally invasive splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection procedure has evolved into an established treatment option for patients with cirrhosis, hypersplenism and gastroesophageal variceal bleeding. However, it remains technically challenging, particularly in patients presenting with splenomegaly. This study provides a comprehensive description of the laparoscopic splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection (LSD) technique for managing hypersplenism and gastroesophageal variceal bleeding, emphasising crucial strategies to overcome technical challenges and optimise surgical outcomes. MethodsThis retrospective observational study includes consecutive patients undergoing LSD by a single surgeon. The attachment includes video showcasing the surgical techniques. ResultsIn this study, 30 patients undergo LSD successfully. The mean operative time is 150.75 ± 25.81 min, and the mean blood loss is 119.62 ± 70.94 mL. The average length of postoperative hospital stay is 10.43 ± 1.97 days. Allogeneic blood transfusion was administered to two patients only. No conversions occurred. Haemoglobin, white blood cell and platelet counts on the seventh postoperative day are significantly higher than those on the day of admission. ConclusionThis study provides the results of the LSD technique performed in patients with hypersplenism and gastroesophageal variceal bleeding by a highly experienced surgeon. It offers tips and tricks for successfully performing the LSD technique, which can contribute to quick patient rehabilitation and optimal postoperative results.

Octreotide versus Terlipressin as Adjuvant to Endoscopic Variceal Band Ligation in Bleeding Oesophageal Varices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Acute variceal bleeding (AVB) is a critical complication of portal hypertension, contributing significantly to mortality worldwide. Pharmacological interventions, including terlipressin and octreotide, have evolved to manage AVB, yet consensus on their comparative effectiveness remains elusive. This study conducts a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials (RCTs) comparing terlipressin and octreotide in the management of AVB, aiming to provide insights into their relative benefits. Methods: This study included RCTs with head-to-head comparisons of terlipressin and octreotide. The search strategy covered PubMed, Scopus, and Cinahl databases, and the included studies involved adult patients with confirmed AVB undergoing endoscopic variceal band ligation (EVBL). Results: Seven RCTs meeting inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The assessed outcomes were: achieving haemostasis within 24 h, rebleeding rate, and mortality rate. The pooled analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between terlipressin and octreotide in achieving haemostasis (OR: 1.30, p = 0.23), rebleeding rates at 5 days (OR: 0.7, p = 0.23), and mortality at 42 days (OR: 0.9, p &gt; 0.5). Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that terlipressin and octreotide exhibit similar efficacy in reducing bleeding, rebleeding rates, and mortality when used as adjuvants to EVBL in AVB. Clinicians are encouraged to consider individual patient characteristics and the broader clinical context when choosing between these agents. Future research should focus on addressing existing evidence gaps and enhancing understanding of variables influencing EVBL outcomes.

Midodrine plus propranolol versus propranolol alone in preventing first bleed in patients with cirrhosis and severe ascites: a randomized controlled trial.

Propranolol, a non-selective beta-blocker, commonly used to prevent variceal bleed, but might precipitate circulatory dysfunction in severe ascites. Midodrine, an alpha-1 adrenergic agonist improves renal perfusion and systemic hemodynamics. Addition of midodrine might facilitate higher maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of propranolol, thereby less risk of variceal bleed in cirrhosis patients with severe ascites. 140 patients with cirrhosis and severe/refractory ascites were randomized- propranolol and midodrine (Gr.A,n = 70) or propranolol alone (Gr.B,n = 70). Primary outcome was incidence of bleed at 1year. Secondary outcomes included ascites control, achievement of target heart rate (THR), HVPG response and adverse effects. Baseline characteristics were comparable between two groups. Cumulative incidence of bleed at 1year was lower in Gr.A than B (8.5%vs.27.1%,p-0.043). The MTD of propranolol was higher in Gr.A (96.67 ± 36.6mg vs. 76.52 ± 24.4mg; p-0.01) and more patients achieved THR (84.2%vs.55.7%,p-0.034). Significantly higher proportion of patients in Gr.A had complete resolution of ascites [17.1%vs.11.4%,p-0.014), diuretic tolerance (80%vs.60%,p-0.047) at higher doses(p-0.02) and lesser need for paracentesis. Patients in Gr.A also had greater reduction in variceal grade (75.7%vs.55.7%;p-0.01), plasma renin activity (54.4% from baseline) (p = 0.02). Mean HVPG reduction was greater in Gr.A than B [4.38 ± 2.81mmHg(23.5%) vs. 2.61 ± 2.87mmHg(14.5%),p-0.045]. Complications like post-paracentesis circulatory dysfunction and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis on follow-up were higher in Gr.B than A (22.8%vs.51.4%,p = 0.013 and 10%vs.15.7%, p = 0.03, respectively). Addition of midodrine facilitates effective use of propranolol in higher doses and greater HVPG reduction, thereby preventing first variceal bleed, reduced paracentesis requirements with fewer ascites- related complications in patients with cirrhosis with severe/refractory ascites.

Clinical Presentations and Risk Factors of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in the Emergency Department: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a major healthcare burden and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, clinical presentation, and risk factors of patients presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding in the emergency department. This retrospective study was conducted in two tertiary care hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The medical records of patients who presented to the emergency department with gastrointestinal bleeding between January 2010 and January 2020 were reviewed. Patients aged 18 years or older, with gastrointestinal bleeding (upper or lower) regardless of underlying cause, lifestyle, location of bleeding, health status, or medication use, were included. Demographic characteristics, initial vital signs, medical history, physical examination findings, comorbidities, medications, laboratory and radiological investigations, cause and stage of liver disease, management, and complications were recorded. Endoscopic findings and management of the bleeding site were collected according to the presenting symptoms. A total of 760 patients were included. The mean age was 62.7 ± 17.8 years, and 61.4% were males. The most common comorbidities at presentation were hypertension (54.1%), diabetes mellitus (51.2%), and ischemic heart disease (18.2%). The origins of the bleeding were lower gastrointestinal in 52%and upper gastrointestinal in 48% of patients. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding was found to be more common than upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Hemorrhoids, polyps, diverticular disease, and colonic ulcers were the major risk factors for lower gastrointestinal bleeding. In contrast, upper gastrointestinal bleeding was predominantly caused by esophageal varices, gastritis, and peptic ulcers.

Critical care outcomes in decompensated cirrhosis: a United States national inpatient sample cross-sectional study

BackgroundPrior assessments of critical care outcomes in patients with cirrhosis have shown conflicting results. We aimed to provide nationwide generalizable results of critical care outcomes in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.MethodsThis is a retrospective study using the National Inpatient Sample from 2016 to 2019. Adults with cirrhosis who required respiratory intubation, central venous catheter placement or both (n = 12,945) with principal diagnoses including: esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVH, 24%), hepatic encephalopathy (58%), hepatorenal syndrome (HRS, 14%) or spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (4%) were included. A comparison cohort of patients without cirrhosis requiring intubation or central line placement for any principal diagnosis was included.ResultsThose with cirrhosis were younger (mean 58 vs. 63 years, p < 0.001) and more likely to be male (62% vs. 54%, p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was higher in the cirrhosis cohort (33.1% vs. 26.6%, p < 0.001) and ranged from 26.7% in EVH to 50.6% HRS. Mortality when renal replacement therapy was utilized (n = 1580, 12.2%) was 46.5% in the cirrhosis cohort, compared to 32.3% in other hospitalizations (p < 0.001), and was lowest in EVH (25.7%) and highest in HRS (51.5%). Mortality when cardiopulmonary resuscitation was used was increased in the cirrhosis cohort (88.0% vs. 72.1%, p < 0.001) and highest in HRS (95.7%).ConclusionsOne-third of patients with cirrhosis requiring critical care did not survive to discharge in this U.S. nationwide assessment. While outcomes were worse than in patients without cirrhosis, the results do suggest better outcomes compared to previous studies.

Pregnancy with Non-cirrhotic Portal Hypertension: A Case Report

Pregnancy with non cirrhotic portal hypertension is an uncommon condition. Due to physiological changes in pregnancy, the patients with portal hypertension may exaggerate and produce life threatening complicationslike variceal haemorrhage and increased incidents of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Pregnancy also predisposes the patient to develop hepatic decompensation. So, management of such cases requires a multi-disciplinary approach. In this case report,21-year-old primigravida presented with known case of non cirrhotic portal hypertension at her 33 weeks of pregnancy with huge splenomegaly and history of hematemesis.The pregnancy ran uneventfully, and she underwent elective LSCS at 38+ weeks and gave birth of a live female baby, weighing 3kg was delivered. Post operative recovery was uneventful. The patient was discharged on the 4th post operative day. We want to focus upon different aspects of pregnancy with portal hypertensionto prevent complications and manage the case. J Rang Med Col. March 2024; Vol. 9, No. 1: 86-88

Platelet Count to Prothrombin Time: A Noninvasive Predictor of Esophageal Varices in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease.

Introduction Esophageal variceal bleeding is a potentially deadly consequence of portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis. Although upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is still the preferred method for identifying esophageal varices (EV), the present study measured the platelet count to prothrombin time (PLT/PT) ratio for the assessment of portal hypertension and subsequent diagnosis of EVs in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Methods This was an observationalcomparative study conducted in the outpatient department of Patel Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Ethical approval was obtained from the Patel Hospital ethical review committee (PH/IRB/2022/028). An independent sample t-test was used for parametric data, whereas the Mann-Whitney U test was used for non-parametric data. The chi-square test was used to compare the categorical data of patients with and without EV. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the cutoff values for the PLT/PT ratio, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC). Results The study involved 105 patients with and without EV. Among them, 38 (63.3%) males and 22 (36.7%) females had EV, whereas 30 (66.7%) males and 15 (33.3%) females did not. The platelet (PLT) count was also significantly lower in patients with EV (87.6 ± 59.8) than in those without (176.6 ± 87.7) (p < 0.001). The PLT/PT ratio was significantly lower in patients with EV (median: 5.04, IQR: 3.12-9.21) compared to those without (median: 14.57, IQR: 8.08-20.58) (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the PLT/PT ratio for identifying EVs were 97.80% and 83.30%, respectively. Conclusion We found a significantly lower PLT/PT ratio in cases with EV than those without EV. After defining an optimal cutoff, PLT/PT had a high sensitivity in identifying cases with EVs in CLD. Therefore, we conclude that in patients with CLD, the PLT/PT ratio is a noninvasive predictor for the presence of EV.

3D-Volumetric Shunt Measurement for Detection of High-Risk Esophageal Varices in Liver Cirrhosis.

Background and Objectives: Esophageal varices (EV) and variceal hemorrhages are major causes of mortality in liver cirrhosis patients. Detecting EVs early is crucial for effective management. Computed tomography (CT) scans, commonly performed for various liver-related indications, provide an opportunity for non-invasive EV assessment. However, previous CT studies focused on variceal diameter, neglecting the three-dimensional (3D) nature of varices and shunt vessels. This study aims to evaluate the potential of 3D volumetric shunt-vessel measurements from routine CT scans for detecting high-risk esophageal varices in portal hypertension. Methods: 3D volumetric measurements of esophageal varices were conducted using routine CT scans and compared to endoscopic variceal grading. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to determine the optimal cutoff value for identifying high-risk varices based on shunt volume. The study included 142 patients who underwent both esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and contrast-enhanced CT within six months. Results: The study established a cutoff value for identifying high-risk varices. The CT measurements exhibited a significant correlation with endoscopic EV grading (correlation coefficient r = 0.417, p < 0.001). A CT cutoff value of 2060 mm3 for variceal volume showed a sensitivity of 72.1% and a specificity of 65.5% for detecting high-risk varices during endoscopy. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of opportunistically measuring variceal volumes from routine CT scans. CT volumetry for assessing EVs may have prognostic value, especially in cirrhosis patients who are not suitable candidates for endoscopy.