Aspartate Aminotransferase-platelet Ratio Index Research Articles

Evaluation of serum prolactin as a potential tumor marker in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate serum prolactin (PRL) as a potential tumor marker in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Background HCC ranks fifth among the most prevalent cancers worldwide. In Egypt, the incidence of HCC had been doubling because of hepatitis C viral infection. New serum tumor markers are required for the diagnosis of HCC instead of α-fetoprotein (AFP) (the most widely used marker) due to its poor diagnostic accuracy. Prolactin receptor has been identified in a variety of human tissues, such as the liver. When PRL binds to its receptor, it leads to the activation of Janus kinase 2, a tyrosine kinase that can phosphorylate the STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) proteins and subsequently functions in cell proliferation and differentiation. Patients and methods Eighty adult patients were selected for this study. They were categorized as follows: group I, which included 10 healthy controls, age and sex matched; group II, which included 40 patients with cirrhosis; and group III, which included four patients with newly diagnosed HCC in addition to cirrhosis. Routine tests for liver cirrhosis and HCC were carried out. Serum PRL was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Serum PRL was significantly elevated in the HCC group when compared with the other two groups. There was a significant difference between single and multiple lesions as regards PRL level in the HCC group; it was higher in cases of multiple lesions. Significant positive correlations were found between PRL on one hand and AFP, aspartate aminotransferase platelet ratio index, and tumor size on the other hand. At a cutoff level of at least 44.5 ng/ml, serum PRL had 92.5% sensitivity, 77.5% specificity, 80.43% positive protective value, and 91.18% negative protective value for the diagnosis of HCC. Conclusion Significantly elevated serum PRL in HCC patients may act as promising and potentially complementary biomarker with AFP. It may offer more effective early detection of HCC.

New noninvasive index for predicting liver fibrosis in Asian patients with chronic viral hepatitis

We developed an optimal noninvasive index comprising routine laboratory parameters for predicting cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. This study included 992 CHB patients and 1,284 CHC patients who received liver biopsy. We developed the new index, named modified Fibrosis-4 (mFIB-4) according to four independent variables of the model: age, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and platelet count. The formula of the mFIB-4 index is 10 × Age(years) × AST(U/L)/Platelet count(109/L) × ALT(U/L). For predicting cirrhosis, the bootstrap areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for platelet count, AST/ALT ratio (AAR), AAR/platelet ratio index (AARPRI), AST/platelet ratio index (APRI), FIB-4, Pohl score, age-platelet (AP) index, Lok index, fibrosis quotient (FibroQ), and mFIB-4 were 0.7680, 0.7400, 0.8070, 0.6090, 0.7690, 0.6990, 0.7850, 0.7960, 0.8110, and 0.8070 in CHB patients, and 0.8170, 0.7210, 0.8400, 0.7310, 0.8310, 0.6730, 0.8220, 0.8440, 0.8570, and 0.8480 in CHC patients, respectively. FibroQ and mFIB-4 exhibited the highest diagnostic performance levels for liver cirrhosis in CHB and CHC despite the inclusion of the international normalised ratio in the formulation of FibroQ. Thus, mFIB-4 is a simple, inexpensive, and readily available method for assessing the liver fibrosis stage of Asian patients with CHB or CHC.

Dynamics of Liver Stiffness Values by means of Transient Elastography in Patients with HCV Liver Cirrhosis undergoing Interferon Free Treatment

Liver stiffness (LS) measurement by Transient Elastography (TE) has been widely accepted as a tool for fibrosis assessment. The aim of this study was to assess LS dynamics in a group of patients with HCV liver cirrhosis after interferon free treatment (IFT). This two-center clinical trial included 225 patients with compensated HCV cirrhosis (all genotype 1b), who received IFT for 12 weeks. All patients were evaluated by means of TE at the beginning and at the end of treatment (EOT), and a subgroup (170 patients) also 12 weeks after EOT; all of them had sustained viral response (SVR). Reliable LS measurements (LSM) were defined as a median value of 10 valid LSM, with IQR <30% and SR >/=60%. Both M and XL probes were used. For diagnosing cirrhosis we used a cut-off value of 12kPa as proposed by the Tsochatzis meta-analysis. We considered a decrease or increase of more than 10% in LSM as being significant. Out of 225 subjects, reliable measurements were obtained in 93.7%, so that the final analysis included 211 patients. The mean LS values decreased significantly after IFT: 26.4+/-11.7 vs. 23.5+/-13.3 kPa (p=0.01). Most patients, 59.2% (125/211) presented more than 10% decrease in LS values, 24.1% (51/211) had stable LS values, while in 16.4% (35/211) cases, the LS values increased. In the subgroup of 170 patients with LSM also performed 12 weeks after EOT (SVR), the mean LS values were significantly lower as compared to baseline: 21.3+/-11 kPa vs. 27.4+/-11.9 kPa (p<0.0001) and also as compared to EOT: 21.3+/-11 kPa vs. 23.7+/-13.3 kPa (p<0.0001). In our patients with HCV liver cirrhosis, the mean LS values evaluated by TE significantly decreased after antiviral treatment at EOT and also 12 weeks after EOT as compared to baseline. Overall, about 60% of patients had LS values at EOT lower than at baseline, while 12 weeks after EOT about 75% of patients had LS values lower than at baseline.

MELD score and AST-to-platelet ratio index predict long-term survival in patients with a small hepatocellular carcinoma following non-transplant therapies: a pilot study

Liver transplantation (LT) is the most effective treatment for long-term survival from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, insufficient donors limit therapy. We sought to identify characteristics that predicted long-term survival after non-transplant therapies in patients with small HCC. In a database of 1,050 HCC patients, we identified those with single HCC ≤ 3.0 cm, who underwent hepatic resection (HR, n = 16), radiofrequency ablation (RFA, n = 55), or LT (n = 23) with 5-years follow-up. Survival and odds-ratios for survival (OS) after HR/RFA were calculated for MELD score, platelet count, creatinine, albumin, AST/Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), INR, and bilirubin. LT patients had 3 and 5-year OS of 82.6% and 73.9% compared to HR/RFA patients with 3 and 5-year OS of 40.8% and 33.8%. The strongest predictors of survival after HR/RFA were MELD < 10 (OR 4.43, 95% CI 1.85-10.58) and APRI ≤ 0.5 (OR 4.25, 95% CI 1.63-11.08). HR/RFA patients with both MELD < 10 and APRI ≤ 0.5 had 3- and 5-year OS of 77.3% and 72.7%. Patients with MELD < 10 and APRI ≤ 0.5 who undergo HR/RFA have survival approaching LT. Perhaps patients who meet these criteria can safely undergo non-transplant therapy and donor livers can be allocated to patients with a greater need.

Hepatic fibrosis scores and serum biomarkers in pediatric hepatology.

Hepatic fibrosis scores and serum biomarkers in pediatric hepatology.

Correlation of Transient Elastography With Severity of Cystic Fibrosis-related Liver Disease.

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether liver stiffness measurement (LSM), determined by transient elastography, correlates with presence and severity of liver disease in children and young adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). Subjects underwent LSM at routine CF visits. Presence and severity of cystic fibrosis liver disease (CFLD) was determined by clinical parameters. Subjects were classified as no CFLD, CFLD without portal hypertension (PHTN), and CFLD with PHTN. LSM was compared with aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index (APRI) as a correlate to severity of CFLD. A total of 249 subjects (53% boys; mean age 14 ± 7 years; 7 [3%] <2 years and 74 [30%] 18-25 years) underwent LSM. Subjects were classified as 158 (64%) with no CFLD, 73 (29%) CFLD without PHTN, and 18 (7%) CFLD with PHTN. The median (interquartile range) LSM was different among the 3 groups: 4.4 (3.8-5.4), 5.1 (4.4-6.3), and 14.1 (8.8-24.8) kPa, respectively, with all pairwise comparisons different from one another (P < 0.0001). Similarly, median (interquartile range) APRI was different in groups 1 and 2 compared with CFLD with PHTN: 0.22 (0.17-0.27), 0.24 (0.17-0.33), and 0.53 (0.24-0.84), respectively (P < 0.01). Analysis of receiver operating characteristics for discriminating CFLD with PHTN from the other groups resulted in cut-points at 6.2 kPa (LSM) and 0.35 (APRI). LSM was superior to APRI in discriminating CFLD with PHTN from other groups, with areas under the curve 0.91 (LSM) versus 0.78 (APRI) (P = 0.05). Liver stiffness, as determined by transient elastography, correlates with the presence and severity of CFLD. Although APRI provided some information regarding severity of liver disease, LSM performed better than APRI in this population.

King's Variceal Prediction Score

Variceal haemorrhage can be a life-threatening complication of chronic liver disease in children. There is limited evidence about the optimal prophylactic management and selection criteria of children who will benefit from upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Children presenting in our centre with suspected portal hypertension or gastrointestinal bleeding and undergoing their first oesophagogastroduodenoscopy between 2005 and 2012 were included. Clinical, biochemical, and radiological data were collected. A separate validation cohort from May 2013 to October 2014 was obtained. Data on 124 treatment-naïve patients were collected; 50% had biliary atresia. Thirty-five (28%) children presented with gastrointestinal bleeding and overall 79 (64%) had clinically significant (grade II-III) varices. Clinical prediction rule, aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index, and varices prediction rule had at optimal cut-off sensitivity and specificity of 76% and 59%, 60% and 55%, and 80% and 59%, respectively. Logistic regression yielded a new prediction rule of (3 × albumin ([g/dL]) - (2 - equivalent adult spleen size [cm]). This King's variceal prediction score had a favourable areas under the curve of 0.772 (0.677-0.867) compared to clinical prediction rule 0.732 (0.632-0.832). At the optimal cut-off of 76 this yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 72% and 73% and a positive and negative predictive value of 82% and 60%, respectively. In the validation cohort areas under the curve was 0.818 (0.654-0.995) with sensitivity and specificity of 78% and 73%, respectively. Our new prediction score may be a useful tool in the selection of children with clinically significant varices eligible for a screening endoscopy.

Aspartate transaminase-platelet ratio and Fibrosis-4 indices as effective markers for monitoring esophageal varices in HIV/hepatitis C virus co-infected patients due to contaminated blood products for hemophilia.

We examined the feasibility of the aspartate transaminase (AST)-platelet ratio index (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 (FIB4) score, which are well-established markers for liver fibrosis, as indicators for monitoring esophageal varices in patients who were co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) due to contaminated blood products for hemophilia in Japan. Forty-three HIV/HCV co-infected patients were enrolled. All were hemophilic men (median age 41years; range, 29-66years). We analyzed the correlations between fibrosis indices (APRI, FIB4) and various liver function tests, fibrosis markers, liver stiffness measured by acoustic radiation force impulse elastography, and the findings of gastrointestinal endoscopy. Both APRI and FIB4 were well correlated with several of the factors related to liver fibrosis and the existence of esophageal varices in the patients. The cut-off values for detecting esophageal varices estimated as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.85 for APRI and 1.85 for FIB4. In patients co-infected with HIV/HCV due to contaminated blood products for hemophilia, APRI and FIB4 are effective for monitoring esophageal varices, even among patients who are apparently doing well with good liver function as Child-Pugh grade A.

Optimization of hepatitis B cirrhosis detection by stepwise application of transient elastography and routine biomarkers.

Significant inflammation may overestimate liver stiffness and result in false positive diagnosis by transient elastography for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cirrhosis detection. This study tries to further improve the performance by stepwise combination with routine biomarkers. A total of 236 compensated CHB patients with alanine transferase lower than five times upper limit of normal, liver biopsies, transient elastography, and routine blood tests were included. Performance of stepwise combination of transient elastography and routine biomarkers was analyzed. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve for detecting cirrhosis was 0.876 for transient elastography, 0.794 for fibrosis index based on the four factors (FIB-4), 0.765 for age-platelet index (API), 0.715 for aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index (APRI), and 0.661 for alanine-aspartate aminotransferase ratio, respectively. The numbers for significant fibrosis were 0.844, 0.662, 0.595, 0.695, and 0.510 in the same order. The proportion of patients determined as cirrhosis or non-cirrhosis was 66.5% by transient elastography, 41.1% by FIB-4, 14.4% by API, and 24.2% by APRI, respectively; the numbers for significant fibrosis were 55.5% by transient elastography, 11.9% by APRI, and none by the other serum markers. Stepwise combination of transient elastography and FIB-4/APRI increased positive predictive value of confirming cirrhosis diagnosis from 0.677 to 0.808 and 0.724, respectively; and the proportion of patients being determined in the state of cirrhosis and obviating liver biopsy was up to 76%. By transient elastography-based stepwise combination with readily available serum markers, performance of detecting compensated CHB cirrhosis could be significantly improved in terms of diagnosis accuracy and proportion of obviating liver biopsy.

FRI-390 - Stage of fibrosis and AST Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) as predictors of length of gestation in women with chronic liver disease

FRI-390 - Stage of fibrosis and AST Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) as predictors of length of gestation in women with chronic liver disease

The Clinical Impact of AST-Platelet Ratio Index for Non-invasive Hepatic Fibrosis in the Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

The Clinical Impact of AST-Platelet Ratio Index for Non-invasive Hepatic Fibrosis in the Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Fibroscan Compared to FIB-4, APRI, and AST/ALT Ratio for Assessment of Liver Fibrosis in Saudi Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BackgroundNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is being increasingly recognized as a cause of chronic liver disease. It has also been associated with devastating outcomes such as decompensated liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as diabetes and metabolic syndrome.ObjectivesThis study was conducted in order to assess liver fibrosis using Fibroscan, and to compare these results to the use of Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) scores, AST platelet ratio index (APRI scores), and the AST/ALT ratios on NAFLD patients.Patients and MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted on NAFLD patients who underwent Fibroscan examinations between September 1, 2011 and June 30, 2014. Demographic data was collected, including sex, age, and nationality; serum alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT, 30 - 65 U/L), serum aspartate aminotransferase levels (AST, 15 - 37 U/L), and platelet counts (150 - 400 k/μL) were also determined. The stages of fibrosis (F0 1 - 6, F1 6.1 - 7, F2 7 - 9, F3 9.1 - 10.3, and F4 ≥ 10.4) were defined in kPa. For each patient, the AST/ALT ratio was also measured. The results of APRI and FIB-4 were compared with the Fibroscan fibrosis scores.ResultsThe results of 122 patients were analyzed, including 65 (53.3%) males with a mean age of 50.2 years (SD: 13.7; range: 18 - 86). The males were significantly younger than the females (48.7 years (SD: 16.03) versus 51.8 years (SD: 10.3 P = 0.05), respectively). The mean stiffness score was 12.02 (SD: 12.7) kPa. Forty-four patients (36%) had advanced fibrosis. The mean platelet and serum ALT levels were normal. There was a significant positive correlation between the Fibroscan results and the AST/ALT ratios, the APRI scores, and the FIB-4 results. Similarly, there was a significant positive correlation between age and fibrosis score, and a significant negative correlation between platelet count and stiffness score.ConclusionsThe data showed that more than one-third of the cohort exhibited advanced fibrosis, demonstrating the need for the early diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD. The use of Fibroscan with other serum markers has been shown to be helpful for the diagnosis of severe fibrosis.

Serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer predicts grade F4 liver fibrosis in patients with biliary atresia.

Mac-2 Binding Protein Glycosylation Isomer (M2BPGi) is a novel fibrosis marker. We examined the ability of M2BPGi to predict liver fibrosis in patients with biliary atresia. Sixty-four patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) were included [median age, 1.1years (range 0.4-16.0), male 16 patients (25.0%)]. We examined M2BPGi levels in serum obtained the day before LDLT, and we compared the value of the preoperative M2BPGi levels with the histological evaluation of fibrosis using the METAVIR fibrosis score. Subsequently, we assessed the ability of M2BPGi levels to predict fibrosis. The median M2BPGi level in patients with BA was 6.02 (range, 0.36-20.0), and 0, 1, 1, 11, and 51 patients had METAVIR fibrosis scores of F0, F1, F2, F3, and F4, respectively. In patients with F4 fibrosis, the median M2BPGi level was 6.88 (quartile; 5.235, 12.10), significantly higher than that in patients with F3 fibrosis who had a median level of 2.42 (quartile; 1.93, 2.895, p<0.01). Area under the curve analysis for the ability of M2BPGi level to predict grade fibrosis was 0.917, with a specificity and sensitivity of 0.923 and 0.941, respectively. In comparison with other fibrosis markers such as hyaluronic acid, procollagen-III-peptide, type IV collagen 7s, and aspartate aminotransferase platelet ratio index, M2BPGi showed the strongest ability to predict grade F4 fibrosis. M2BPGi is a novel fibrosis marker for evaluating the status of the liver in patients with BA, especially when predicting grade F4 fibrosis.

Preoperative inflammation-based markers predict early and late recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative hepatectomy

Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative resection remains a major cause of treatment failure and tumor-related death. Patterns of HCC recurrence can be categorized into early recurrence and late recurrence which have different underlying mechanisms. In this study, we investigated if simple inflammation-based clinical markers can distinguish patterns of recurrence after curative resection of HCC. A retrospective analysis of 223 patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for HCC was performed. Preoperative inflammation-based factors including neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio, gamma-glutamyl transferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio, aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index (APRI) and prognostic nutritional index together with other clinicopathologic parameters were evaluated by univariate analysis and multivariate analysis to identify independent prognostic factors. By combining risk factors, predictive models were established to distinguish populations at high risk of early or late recurrence. Age ≤50 years, resection margin ≤1 cm, TNM stage III-IV, NLR>2.75, APRI>0.23 and positive alpha-fetoprotein were independent adverse prognostic factors for early recurrence. Patients with three or more risk factors were at significant higher risk of early recurrence. APRI>0.23 and positive hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) were independent risk factors of late recurrence, the coexistence of high APRI and positive HBeAg increased the risk of late recurrence. Preoperative inflammation-based prognostic factors predict early and late recurrence of HCC after curative resection. Different prognostic factor combinations distinguish high-risk populations of early or late HCC recurrence.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography could be a non-invasive method for differentiating none or mild from severe fibrosis in patients with biopsy proven non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Objective: The gold standard for diagnosing fibrosis stage in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is liver biopsy. The aim of this study was to determine whether contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with transit time measurements could be a non-invasive alternative for differentiating none or mild from severe fibrosis in NAFLD patients. Various serum markers and clinical variables were also evaluated.Materials and methods: Fifty-eight patients with NAFLD underwent CEUS prior to liver biopsy. All patients were also evaluated according to the Göteborg University Cirrhosis Index (GUCI), the AST-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), the NAFLD fibrosis score, and the FIB-4 and BARD score.Results: The hepatic vein arrival time (HV) was shorter in patients with severe fibrosis (25.9 ± 4.8 vs 29.5 ± 4.7 s, p = 0.023), and the difference between the hepatic and portal vein (ΔHV–PV) was shorter (2.3 ± 2.8 vs 6.4 ± 2.8 s, p < 0.0001) while the difference in arrival time between the portal vein and hepatic artery (ΔPV-HA) arrival time was significantly longer (6.0 ± 2.2 vs 3.6 ± 1.6 s, p < 0.0001). The area under receiver operating characteristics curve values for HV, ΔHV–PV and ΔPV–HA to separate none or mild from severe fibrosis was 0.71, 0.83 and 0.84, respectively. The corresponding figures for GUCI, APRI, NAFLD fibrosis score, FIB-4 and BARD score were 0.93, 0.92, 0.86, 0.90 and 0.77, respectively.Conclusions: CEUS and non-invasive scoring systems could exclude severe fibrosis in NAFLD patients.

Non-invasive fibrosis tests are correlated with necroinflammatory actvity of liver in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

The gold standarda method used for assessing necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis in the liver is a liver biopsy which has many disadvantages. Therefore, many investigators have been trying to develop non-invasive tests for predicting liver fibrosis score (LFS) of these patients. The aim of this study is to describe the relationship between certain non-invasive fibrosis markers with LFS and histological activity index (HAI) detected histopathologically by liver biopsy in chronic hepatitis B patients. A total of 54 patients who had undergone a liver biopsy with the diagnosis of chronic HBV infection were included in the study. Ishak scoring was used for the evaluation of liver fibrosis, and a modified Knodell HAI was used for demonstration of necroinflammation. In this study, non-invasive fibrosis tests were calculated as described in previous studies. Histological acitivity index was positively correlated with age, age/platelet index, cirrhosis discriminant score (CDS), AST/platelet ratio index (APRI), AST/platelet/GGT/AFP index (APGA), fibro-quotient (Fibro-Q), Goteburg University Cirrhosis Index (Guci), and Platelet/Age/Phosphatase/AFP/AST index (PAPAS). When divided into two groups according to HAI, Guci and APGA were found significantly different both in >4 and >4 HAI groups than the other group. In ROC analysis performed for LFS; PAPAS, APGA, FFI and APRI were the markers having the highest AUC levels, and in ROC analysis performed for HAI; Guci, APRI and APGA were the markers with the highest AUC levels. APRI, APGA and GUCI tests may be helpful in prediction of necroinflammatory scores in the liver.

Is response guided therapy dead? Low cure rates in patients with detectable hepatitis C virus at week 4 of treatment.

Historically, chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment was response-guided. Clinical trials with sofosbuvir indicated on-treatment virologic response was not predictive of sustained virologic response (SVR) and hence response-guided therapy (RGT) was abandoned. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between on-treatment 4-week HCV RNA and SVR in patients treated in real-world practice. The study is a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients started on treatment with a sofosbuvir-containing regimen, January 1, 2014 through August 20, 2014, for HCV genotype 1-6 infection. Patients were treated by HCV specialists at 6 centers in the Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) HCV Collaborative or in the community by primary care clinicians mentored by HCV specialists through Project ECHO. Patients were included if they were over 18years, had evidence of chronic HCV, and were started on a sofosbuvir-containing regimen. The aspartate aminotransferase:platelet ratio index (APRI) was used to estimate fibrosis. The main outcome measures were 4-week HCV RNA and SVR. Overall SVR was 82.5%. At week 4, HCV RNA was detected in 27.4% of patients. Stepwise multivariable logistic-regression analyses identified APRI>1.0, male sex, genotype 3, and detectable on treatment 4-week HCV RNA as independent predictors of failure to achieve SVR. In a real-world setting, a significant proportion of sofosbuvir treated patients have detectable on-treatment 4-week HCV RNA. Detectable on-treatment 4-week HCV RNA is associated with virologic failure. More data are needed to formulate guidance for RGT with newly available HCV therapies.

Liver fibrosis indices for identifying patients at low risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma after eradication of HCV.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C can develop after sustained virological response (SVR) to antiviral therapy for HCV, that is, the eradication of HCV, and effective surveillance systems for HCC should be established for this population. We retrospectively evaluated the utility of three laboratory liver fibrosis indices (aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index [APRI], FIB-4 index and Forns index) for identifying patients at low risk of HCC development after SVR, for whom the termination of surveillance for HCC can be considered. APRI, FIB-4 index and Forns index scores were calculated based on laboratory data prior to anti-HCV therapy and at 24 weeks after the end of anti-HCV therapy (SVR24) in 522 patients with SVR who continued surveillance for HCC after SVR. The associations between HCC development and laboratory indices at both points were analysed. Twenty-one patients developed HCC after SVR during 2.3-24.4 years follow-up. Whereas HCC developed even in patients with low APRI or FIB-4 index scores, no patients with low Forns index scores developed HCC after SVR. These results were confirmed in a separate cohort of 309 patients who achieved SVR (HCC developed in 17 patients during 1.7-21.6 years follow-up). Forns index, especially assessed prior to anti-HCV therapy, was a useful laboratory liver fibrosis index for identifying patients at low likelihood of HCC after SVR. This index may be used as one of indicators to consider the termination of surveillance for HCC after the eradication of HCV.

Overestimate of Fibrosis by FIBROSpect® II in African Americans Complicates the Management of their Chronic Hepatitis C.

Background: Evaluation of advanced fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is used to facilitate decisions on treatment strategy and to initiate additional screening measures. Unfortunately, most studies have predominately Caucasian (Cau) patients and may not be as relevant for African Americans (AA). Aims: This study specifically addresses the issue of defining minimal vs. significant fibrosis in African Americans (AA) with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) using noninvasive assays. Methods: All patients (n = 319) seen between 1 January 2008 and 30 June 2013 for whom a FibroSpect II® (FSII) assay was performed and had data for calculation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) platelet ratio index (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) were identified using the medical records. Results: When liver biopsy score and FSII assay results for the AA patients with CHC were compared, 31% of AA had advanced FSII fibrosis scores (F2-F4) despite a biopsy score of F0-F1. In contrast, 10% of Cau over-scored. The AA false positive rate was 14% for APRI and 34% for FIB-4. Combining FSII with either APRI (7% false positive) or FIB-4 (10% false positive) improved the false positive rate in AA to 7% (FSII + APRI) and 10% (FSII + FIB-4) but reduced the sensitivity for significant fibrosis. Conclusions: The FSII assay overestimates fibrosis in AA and should be used with caution since these patients may not have significant fibrosis. If the APRI or FIB-4 assay is combined with the FSII assay, minimal fibrosis in AA can be defined without subjecting the patients to a subsequent biopsy.

P24 The status of the liver in the adult fontan

Introduction It is increasingly recognised that as Fontan survivors age there is an increasing prevalence late hepatic complications including abnormal hepatic function, fibrosis and cirrhosis and rarely hepatocellular carcinoma.1,2,3 Just as corrective surgery for this cohort has considerably reduced childhood mortality, it is as equally important to avoid a premature death in adulthood. We describe the status of the liver in a large cohort of adults with the Fontan circulation. Methods A retrospective review of case records and the liver investigations performed in all adult Fontan patients under review in our unit. We recorded individual liver function tests (LFTs), alpha fetoprotein levels, the results of liver ultrasound scans and presence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Where present, complications of liver disease such as ascites, jaundice and oesophageal varices were recorded. Results 215 Fontan patients have been transitioned to adult care in our institution, mean age 28.2 ± 9.6 years, male 55%, time since Fontan surgery 19.8 ± 5.2 years, liver assessments had been made in 170 patients (79%), abnormal LFTs present in 49% of those tested and abnormal liver scans in 34%. Mean alanine transaminase level 27.4 ± 10.8 U/L, mean alkaline phosphatase level 105.4 ± 79.6 U/L, mean bilirubin 19 ± 17 umol/L and mean a fetoprotein level 2.6 ± 1.5 kU/L (normal range Discussion Clinically relevant liver disease remains rare and occurs late after Fontan surgery. Only 79% of this cohort of adult Fontan patients had completed liver surveillance (LFT/liver ultrasound and alpha fetoprotein levels) suggesting improvements in liver surveillance are possible. However liver function tests did not predict outcome of liver ultrasound nor did liver ultrasound abnormalities predict abnormalities of the LFT. Improved liver surveillance is possible utilising non-invasive measures of liver function, such as the aspartate transaminase platelet ratio index (APRI), Fibroscan4 and liver MRI. We are prospectively analysing liver status in adult Fontan patients using these techniques. References Rychik J, Veldtman G, Rand E, et al. The Precarious State of the Liver After a Fontan Operation: Summary of a Multidisciplinary Symposium. Pediatric Cardiology. 2012;33(7):1001-1012 doi:10.1007/s00246-012-0315-7 Ghaferi AA, Hutchins GM. Progression of liver pathology in patients undergoing the Fontan procedure: chronic passive congestion, cardiac cirrhosis, hepatic adenoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.2005;129:1348–1352 Asrani, Sumeet K., Carole A. Warnes, and Patrick S. Kamath. 9Hepatocellular Carcinoma After The Fontan Procedure9. New England Journal of Medicine 2013;368(18):1756‑1757. Web. 24 Sept. 2015 Wai CT, Greenson JK, Fontana RJ, et al. A simple noninvasive index can predict both significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Hepatology 2003;38:518e26