Grade Of Esophageal Varices Research Articles

Use of Wireless Capsule Endoscopy for the Diagnosis and Grading of Esophageal Varices in Patients With Portal Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Esophageal variceal bleeding is a severe complication of portal hypertension with significant morbidity and mortality. Although traditional screening and grading of esophageal varices has been performed by endogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), wireless video capsule endoscopy provides a minimally invasive alternative that may improve screening and surveillance compliance. The aim of the study was to perform a systematic review and structured meta-analysis of all eligible studies to evaluate the efficacy of wireless capsule endoscopy for screening and diagnosis of esophageal varices among patients with portal hypertension. Searches of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases were performed through December 2015. Bivariate and hierarchical models were used to compute the pooled sensitivity and specificity, and to plot the summary receiver operating characteristics curve with summary point and corresponding 95% confidence region. Bias of included studies was assessed using the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies-2. Seventeen studies from 2005 to 2015 were included in this meta-analysis (n=1328). The diagnostic accuracy of wireless capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis of esophageal varices was 90% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.88-0.93]. The diagnostic pooled sensitivity and specificity were 83% (95% CI, 0.76-0.89) and 85% (95% CI, 0.75-0.91), respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of wireless capsule endoscopy for the grading of medium to large varices was 92% (95% CI, 0.90-0.94). The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 72% (95% CI, 0.54-0.85) and 91% (95% CI, 0.86-0.94), respectively, for the grading of medium to large varices. The use of capsule demonstrated only mild adverse events. A sensitivity analysis limited to only high quality studies revealed similar results. Wireless esophageal capsule endoscopy is well tolerated and safe in patients with liver cirrhosis and suspicion of portal hypertension. The sensitivity of capsule endoscopy is not currently sufficient to replace EGD as a first exploration in these patients, but given its high accuracy, it may have a role in cases of refusal or contraindication to EGD.

CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS;

At present time portal hypertension is perceived as one of the complications ofadvanced liver disease. It results in various vascular changes in gastrointestinal tract (GI),including esophageal varices, gastric varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG). PHGand gastric varices are a common cause of acute as well as chronic bleeding from GI tractwhich resulted in significant mortality among patients. Objectives: To determine the frequencyof gastric vascular changes in various causes of cirrhosis. Study Design: Cross sectional study.Setting: Department of Gastroenterology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad.Period: 1st August 2007 to 31st July 2008. Materials and Methods: Patients of age ≥30 years,with clinical evidence of cirrhosis and without prior treatment of esophagiogastric varices wereincluded in the study. Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled in the study out of which47 were male and 53 were females with mean age of 53.6 years. The most common type ofcirrhosis was turned out to be Hepatitis C affecting 50% of patients and most of the patientswere in Child class C. Portal hypertensive gastropathy was present in 74% of patients. Amongthem 24.3% have mild changes while severe changes were present in75.7% of patients. Gastricvarices were found in 40% of the patients and the most common type was IGV type I whichwas present in 29(72.5%) of the patients. Correlation of severity of PHG was seen with gradingof esophageal varices, grading of gastric varices and Child class. Conclusion: Frequency ofsevere gastropathy is higher than the mild gastropathy. It is also concluded that gastric vascularchanges are associated with cause of cirrhosis, child class and degree of portal hypertension.

Measurement of liver and spleen stiffness by shear wave elastography as a noninvasive evaluation of esophageal varices in hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis

Background Several noninvasive methods have been developed to predict esophageal varices (EVs) in patients with cirrhosis aiming to restrict endoscopic screening. Recently, two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) was evaluated for this purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of 2D-SWE for liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) for prediction of EV presence and grading.Patients and methods This study included 100 patients with hepatitis C virus cirrhosis who were subjected to upper endoscopy for detection and grading of EV as well as LS and SS measurements using 2D-SWE.Results There was a significant difference between patients with and without EV regarding LS and SS (P<0.001). The measurement LS at cutoff of 16.2 kPa and SS at cutoff of 42.7 kPa by 2D-SWE predicted the presence of EV with sensitivity of 89.8 and 94.9%, respectively, and specificity of 57.6 and 87.9%, respectively. Moreover, at cutoffs of 19.6 and 51.5 kPa for LS and SS, respectively, the presence of high-risk EV was predicted with sensitivity of 77.5 and 85%, respectively, and specificity of 63.4 and 84.6%, respectively.Conclusion The measurement of LS and SS by 2D-SWE predicted the presence of EV and high-risk EV in patients with cirrhosis, with more sensitivity and specificity for SS than LS.

English

At present time portal hypertension is perceived as one of the complications ofadvanced liver disease. It results in various vascular changes in gastrointestinal tract (GI),including esophageal varices, gastric varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG). PHGand gastric varices are a common cause of acute as well as chronic bleeding from GI tractwhich resulted in significant mortality among patients. Objectives: To determine the frequencyof gastric vascular changes in various causes of cirrhosis. Study Design: Cross sectional study.Setting: Department of Gastroenterology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad.Period: 1st August 2007 to 31st July 2008. Materials and Methods: Patients of age ≥30 years,with clinical evidence of cirrhosis and without prior treatment of esophagiogastric varices wereincluded in the study. Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled in the study out of which47 were male and 53 were females with mean age of 53.6 years. The most common type ofcirrhosis was turned out to be Hepatitis C affecting 50% of patients and most of the patientswere in Child class C. Portal hypertensive gastropathy was present in 74% of patients. Amongthem 24.3% have mild changes while severe changes were present in75.7% of patients. Gastricvarices were found in 40% of the patients and the most common type was IGV type I whichwas present in 29(72.5%) of the patients. Correlation of severity of PHG was seen with gradingof esophageal varices, grading of gastric varices and Child class. Conclusion: Frequency ofsevere gastropathy is higher than the mild gastropathy. It is also concluded that gastric vascularchanges are associated with cause of cirrhosis, child class and degree of portal hypertension.

Forns index as a useful noninvasive predictor of esophageal varices in liver cirrhosis

Background&lt;br /&gt;Rupture and bleeding from esophageal varices are major complications of portal hypertension and associated with a high mortality rate. Non-invasive serum markers of liver fibrosis could be used as predictors of esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of Forns index as a noninvasive predictor in diagnosing esophageal varices.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Methods&lt;br /&gt;A cross-sectional study was done in 51 cirrhotic patients who were admitted to Adam Malik hospital, Medan. Demographic and clinical data were recorded and laboratory tests were performed, so that Forns index could be calculated. The difference between Forns index and size of esophageal varices as determined by endoscopy was tested by independent-t and Mann-Whitney analysis. The diagnostic performance was assessed using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), accuracy, likelihood ratios and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC). &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Results&lt;br /&gt;Of the 51 patients with esophageal varices included in this study, the size of esophageal varices comprised F2 (37.3%), F3 (33.3), and F1 (29.4%). Most patients were of Child-Plug C type (52.6%). There was a significant difference between Forns index and grade of esophageal varices. The AUROC for Forns index was 0.717 (95% CI: 0.561 - 0.872) and the cut-off &amp;gt;7.92 was highly predictive to diagnose large esophageal varices with a sensitivity of 63.9%, specificity of 73.3%, PPV of 85.2%, NPV of 45.8% and accuracy of 71.7%.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Conclusion&lt;br /&gt;Forns index was significantly increased in large esophageal varices. Forns index is a good noninvasive predictor of esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients.

Clinical efficacy of re-modified Sugiura procedure for portal hypertension

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of re-modified Sugiura procedure for the treatment of portal hypertension. Methods The retrospective cohort study was adopted. The clinical data of 119 patients with portal hypertension who were admitted to Second People's Hospital of Yichang from June 2006 to October 2014 were collected. Seventy-two patients who underwent pericardial devascularization were allocated into the Hassab group, and the other 47 patients who underwent the re-modified Sugiura procedure were allocated into the R-M Sugiura group. All the patients firstly underwent splenectomy. The patients of the Hassab group received the classical surgery of pericardial devascularization, and the operation in the R-M Sugiura group was improved on the modified Sugiura procedure in several aspects: (1) the cardia was transected obliquely. (2) Paraesophageal vessels were preserved by selective pericardial devascularization. (3) The pedicled omentum covered the anterior anastomosis and was sutured to the posterior abdominal wall. Observed indices included (1) intraoperative and postoperative situations: operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, postoperative anal exhaust time and duration of postoperative hospital stay. (2) Postoperative complications: postoperative pleural effusion, peri-operative digestive tract re-bleeding, difficult swallowing, portal vein thrombosis and gastric dynamic dysfunction. (3) Situation of follow-up. The follow-up was performed by telephone interview and outpatient examination to observe the grading of the esophageal varices at postoperative month 6 and 18 using gastroscope till February 2016. Measurement data with normal distribution were presented as ±s, and comparison between groups was done by the t test. Count data were analyzed by the chi-square test. Ranked data were analyzed by Wilcoxon rank test. Results (1) Intraoperative and postoperative situations: operation time of the Hassab group and the R-M Sugiura group was (201±27)minutes and (255±32)minutes, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (t=9.67, P 0.05). (2) Postoperative complica-tions: dysphagia was detected in 3 patients of the Hassab group and in 10 patients of the R-M Sugiura group at the postoperative day 10, with a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (χ2=0.86, P 0.05). The number of postoperative pleural effusion, perioperative digestive tract rebleeding, portal vein thrombosis and gastric dynamic dysfunction of the Hassab group and the R-M Sugiura group were 23, 6, 10, 8 cases and 20, 1, 6, 6 cases, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference (χ2=1.39, 1.02, 0.03, 0.08, P>0.05). (3) Situation of follow-up: all the patients were reexamined using gastroscope to observe the grading of esophageal varices. There were 0, 7, 56, 9 patients of G0, GⅠ, GⅡ, GⅢ grading of varices in the Hassab group and 35, 12, 0, 0 patients in the R-M Sugiura group at postoperative month 6, showing a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (Z=-9.64, P<0.05). There were 0, 0, 48, 24 patients of G0, GⅠ, GⅡ, GⅢ grading of varices in the Hassab group and 24, 20, 3, 0 patients in the R-M Sugiura group at postoperative month 18, showing a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (Z=-9.28, P<0.05). Conclusion The re-modified Sugiura procedure is more effective than the Hassab operation in curing portal hypertension, and it could also reduce the rate of rehemorrhage and improve the short-term and long-term prognosis. Key words: Portal hypertension; Modified Sugiura; Surgical procedures, operative; Improvement measure

Liver stiffness-spleen size-to-platelet ratio risk score detects esophageal varices in chronic liver disease.

BackgroundNoninvasive markers are needed to identify esophageal varices (EV) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Recently, liver stiffness (LS)-spleen size-to-platelet ratio risk score (LSPS) has been shown to predict EV in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to validate the clinical value of LSPS for EV detection and identification of high risk EV in Japanese patients with CLD.MethodsA total of 230 patients with CLD who had undergone endoscopy, LS measurement, and ultrasonography between 2013 and 2015 were enrolled. The relationships between clinical data and LSPS were compared with those for other noninvasive markers (aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio, FIB-4 index, and platelet-to-spleen ratio), along with platelet count, spleen size, and LS. Diagnostic and prognostic abilities were assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsLSPS correlated significantly with EV grade (P < 0.001) and was superior to the other noninvasive indices for determination of EV and high risk EV. Furthermore, LSPS was independently associated with the presence of EV (P < 0.001) and elevated EV risk (P = 0.013) by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The optimal cutoff values of LSPS for EV and high risk EV were 1.1 and 2.2, respectively, at which AUC, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 0.821 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.743–0.899], 91.9, and 84.3 % and 0.859 (95 % CI 0.736–0.981), 95.5, and 76.9 %, respectively.ConclusionsLSPS represents a useful, noninvasive, accurate method to detect EV and a high EV risk in Japanese patients with CLD.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40064-016-2708-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Correlation of platelets count with endoscopic findings in a cohort of Egyptian patients with liver cirrhosis.

Screening endoscopy is recommended for early detection of esophageal varices (EVs) in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. However, this approach is limited by its invasiveness and cost. The aim of the study was to determine if platelet count can predict the presence of EVs, especially large (grade III, IV) EVs in need of prophylactic therapy, in a cohort of Egyptian patients with liver cirrhosis. In all, 110 patients with cirrhosis were prospectively analyzed. The presence of medium or large EVs was correlated with patients’ platelet count and FIB-4. Esophageal varices were present in 87 (79.09%) patients. Among those with thrombocytopenia (platelet level below 150,000), 25.97% (20 patients) and 27.27% (21 patients) had EV grade II and EV grade III or IV, respectively. Whereas in patients in whom the platelet count was above 150,000, only 21.21% (7 patients) and 9.09% (3 patients) of patients had grade II EV and EV grade III or IV, respectively. A platelet count cut-off value of 149,000 was found to have specificity of 82% and sensitivity 39% for detection of presence of varices. A FIB-4 cut-off value of 3.175 was found to have an 83.3% sensitivity and 39.5% specificity in detecting large (grade III, IV) EVs. Platelet count is a noninvasive parameter with high accuracy for prediction of EVs. Cirrhotic patients with normal platelet counts (above 150,000), especially in financially deprived developing countries, can avoid screening endoscopy as they are at a low risk for variceal bleeding, and presence of large EVs in these patients is much less common than in those with thrombocytopenia. A 3.175 cut-off value of FIB-4 could be useful as a noninvasive predictor of large varices requiring prophylactic banding in cirrhotic patients.

Liver stiffness-spleen size-to-platelet ratio risk score identifies esophageal varices in Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Non-invasive methods are needed to identify esophageal varices (EV) in patients with chronic liver disease. To this end, we evaluated liver stiffness (LS)-spleen diameter-to-platelet ratio risk score (LSPS) in predicting EV among Japanese chronic hepatitis C patients. A total of 99 patients with chronic hepatitis C who had undergone endoscopy, LS measurement and ultrasonography between 2013 and 2014 were enrolled. Clinical data were compared with those for other non-invasive markers (platelet count, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio, FIB-4 index and platelet-to-spleen ratio), spleen size, LS and controlled attenuation parameter. Diagnostic applicability was assessed by the area under the receiver-operator curve (AUC) and predictive values along with multivariate logistic regression. LSPS was significantly correlated to the grade of EV (ρ = 0.617, P < 0.001) and was superior to the other non-invasive indices for determination of EV. LSPS was independently associated with EV by multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 3.079; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.137-4.438; P < 0.001). The cut-off value of LSPS for EV was 0.7, for which the AUC, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 0.928 (95% CI, 0.876-0.980), 86.3%, 89.6%, 70.4%, 95.8% and 88.9%, respectively. LSPS may also identify EV in patients with chronic hepatitis C in Japan. The clinical values of LSPS for EV risk merit further validation in larger prospective studies.

New Non-Invasive Index for Detecting Esophageal Varices in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

Introduction: Many studies have shown that clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic parameter are predictive of the presence and grading of esophageal varices. Aim of Study: Validation of a noninvasive test called P2/MS and its comparison with other noninvasive tests for the detection of high risk esophageal varices. Patients and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 125 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis. Complete blood count [CBC], Platelet count by direct method, Liver functions [serum bilirubin, AST, ALT, prothrombin time and concentration and serum albumin], kidney functions, hepatitis markers for B & C, abdominal ultrasonography and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were done for each patient. Calculation of P2/MS [Platelet count)2/{monocyte fraction (%) × segmented neutrophil fraction (%)], API [age-platelet index], APRI [AST-to-platelet ratio index], SPRI [spleen-to-platelet ratio index], ASPRI [age-spleen-to-platelet ratio index] scores and correlating the different scores with the grade of esophageal varices found on upper endoscopy. Results: During processing of our patient’s data, we found certain relation between segmented neutrophils, monocytes, platelet count, total bilirubin and the degree of esophageal varices for the detection of high risk varices and a new equation was formulated and we called it P2/MS-B. In predicting high risk esophageal varices HREV, the area under the curve for this new variable was [0.909, 95% confidence interval 0.858 - 0.961, p = 0.000] which was significantly higher than all the other variables including P2/MS for the detection of HREV. The sensitivity of the new equation for the detection of HREV is 85.3%, the specificity is 83.1%, the positive predictive value is 87.9%, the negative predicative value is 86.0 % and the overall accuracy of the test is 85.6%. Conclusion: A newly detected noninvasive variable for detecting HREV may reliably screen liver cirrhosis patients for HREV and avoid unnecessary endoscopy in low risk patients.

The Relation between Serum Serotonin and Esophageal Varices in Egyptian Patients with Viral Hepatitis Related Cirrhosis : A Case-Control Study

AIM: Serotonin is a one of the monoamine neurotransmitters secreted by serotonergic nerve endings in multiple sites in the brain and gastrointestinal tract wall. Serotonin can induce contraction in the smooth muscles of the gut wall enhancing gut motility and in blood vessels wall causing vasoconstriction. The presence of serotonin receptors on hepatic stellate cells can cause contraction of these cells closing the sinusoidal fenestrae and raising the portal vein pressure. The aim of this work is to study the relation between serotonin level and the presence and the severity of esophageal varices in Egyptian patients with viral hepatitis related cirrhosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred patients were included in the study group I: 120 patients with viral hepatitis related cirrhosis and group II: 90 healthy volunteers. Patients as well as healthy subjects performed all routine investigations, upper GI endoscopy and serum serotonin level. RESULTS: serum serotonin level in group I was significantly higher than group II (135 ± 33.7 vs 41 ± 19.6). serum serotonin level was significantly correlated to albumin, bilirubin, platelet, portal vein diameter, spleen size, esophageal varices grade, grade of portal hypertensive gastropathy and Child's score (r = -0.35, 0.45, -0.44, 0.5, 0.39, 0.33, 0.36 and 0.41 in succession). It was also clear that serotonin level rises significantly with higher grades of esophageal varices. CONCLUSION: serum serotonin level is significantly correlated to the grade of esophageal varices in patients with viral hepatitis related cirrhosis.

Diagnostic performance of multidetector computed tomography in the evaluation of esophageal varices

ObjectiveOur purpose was to evaluate the role of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in evaluation of esophageal varices (EV). Patients and methods112 patients with liver cirrhosis were included, EV was evaluated for grades, presence of collateral, palisade vein dilatation and also patient acceptability. ResultsThe sensitivity of MDCT for radiologist A was 94.8%, specificity 98.5%, Accuracy 97.8%, PPV 94.8%, NPV 98.5% and for radiologist B, 99.4%, 99.6%, 99.6%, 99.3% and 99.7% respectively. MDCT detected para esophageal varices in 38 cases, gastric fundus varices in 47 cases and splenorenal collaterals were seen in 14 cases, palisade vein dilatation was +ve in 58 cases, −ve in 47 cases and (±) in 7 cases. 3 cases of HCC and 1 liver cyst were incidentally found during examination. There was a highly significant correlation between degree of palisade vein dilatation, increasing grade of esophageal varices and Red color sign with p value <0.01. MDCT was more accepted than endoscopy in 83%. The preference of CT was statistically significant p<0.01. ConclusionMDCT is a fast, well tolerable, non-invasive procedure and accepted from most of the examined patients for evaluation and grading of EV, detection of other portosystemic collaterals and hepatobiliary pathologies.

NON-INVASIVE PREDICTORS FOR THE PRESENCE, GRADE AND RISK OF BLEEDING FROM ESOPHAGEAL VARICES IN PATIENTS WITH POST-HEPATITIC CIRRHOSIS.

Variceal bleeding is the last step of a chain of events initiatedby an increase in portal pressure, followed by the development and progressive dilation ofvarices until these finally rupture and bleed. The ideal method to diagnose portal hypertension should be accurate, noninvasive, objective, and reproducible. The study evaluated the predictive value of two non-invasive parameters for the diagnosis of esophageal varices (EV): 1-Right liver lobe diameter/serum albumin ratios (RLLD/S. albumin), and 2-Platelet count/splenic bipolar diameter ratios (Platelets count/SBPD). This study included eighty Egyptian patients with post-hepatitic cirrhosis (45 males and 35 females). They underwent laboratory ultrasono-graphic and endoscopic examinations within one week. RLLD/S. albumin and Platelets count/SBPD ratios were calculated. The results showed that EV were not detected by upper digestive endoscopy in 25%, while grade I of EV was found in 17.5%, grade II in 17.5%, grade III in 20%, & grade IV in 20%. RLLD/S. albumin concentration ratio diagnosed the varices at cut off value of 3.43 with 95% sensitivity and 80% specificity. Also, it was positively correlated with grading of E.V, when this ratio increased the grading of E.V increases and vice versa. Besides, it predicted bleeding from E.V. at cut off value of 5.096 with 63% sensitivity and 73% specificity. Platelet count/SBPD ratio predicted the presence of varices at cut off value 1847 with 95% sensitivity and 93% specificity, and negatively correlated with grading of EV, when this ratio decreased grading of E.V increase and vice versa. It also predicted bleeding from E.V. at cut off value of 4809 with 50% sensitivity and 93% specificity.

Non-invasive predictive model of esophageal varices in cirrhosis

To analyze the non-invasive indexes for predicting esophageal varices (EV) in liver cirrhosis, and to establish a model for predicting the degree of EV. A total of 294 patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension were divided into the following groups according to EV grade as assessed by endoscopy: non-EV and grade I EV, grade II EV and grade III EV. The non-invasive EV predictive measures of liver stiffness (LS), platelet (PLT) count, spleen thickness (ST), PLT/ST ratio, portal vein diameter, portal vein flow velocity and Child-Pugh score (CPS) were assessed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis, and used to generate a predictive model. The t-test, chi-square test, logistic analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used in statistical analyses. The area under the ROC for the new model was 0.990. The best cutoff value for the score was 0.898, as defined from the ROC. The sensitivity of the model was 96.5%, and the specificity was 99.2%. The model for predicting EV was composed of LS, PLT count, ST, PLT/ST and CPS, which was accurate and sensitive, and could be used to predict EV in clinic.

Erratum to: Liver stiffness measurement by acoustic radiation force impulse is useful in predicting the presence of esophageal varices or high-risk esophageal varices among patients with HCV-related cirrhosis

Screening and periodic surveillance for esophageal varices (EVs) by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) are recommended for cirrhotic patients. We investigated non-invasive liver stiffness measurement using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) for the diagnosis of EV presence and high-risk EVs among patients with HCV-related cirrhosis. Among 181 consecutive patients with HCV-related cirrhosis, we studied 135 patients who had received EGD and ARFI. Serum fibrosis markers [platelet count, FIB-4, and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI)] were measured in a training set of 92 patients and compared with ARFI in the diagnostic performance for EV presence and high-risk EVs. Furthermore, the obtained optimal cutoff values of ARFI were prospectively examined in a validation set of 43 patients. In the training set, the ARFI value increased with the EV grade (p < 0.001). The ARFI value for high-risk EVs was significantly higher than that for low-risk EVs (p < 0.001). AUROC values for diagnosis of EV presence and high-risk EVs by ARFI were 0.890 and 0.868, which had the highest diagnostic performance among factors including serum fibrosis markers. The optimal cutoff value of ARFI for EV presence was 2.05 m/s with good sensitivity (83 %), specificity (76 %), PPV (78 %), and NPV (81 %), and that for high-risk EVs was 2.39 m/s with good sensitivity (81 %), specificity (82 %), PPV (69 %), and NPV (89 %). These cutoff values obtained in the training cohort also showed excellent performance in the validation set. Liver stiffness measurement by ARFI is useful in predicting EV presence or high-risk EVs among patients with HCV-related cirrhosis.

Value of hepatic elastography and Doppler indexes for predictions of esophageal varices in liver cirrhosis.

Non-invasive methods are required to diagnose presence and grading of esophageal varices in patients with hepatic cirrhosis and in this respect we have evaluated the role of transient elastography and abdominal ultrasound parameters. Cirrhotic patients were prospectively evaluated by transient elastography and Doppler ultrasound for diagnosis of presence and grading of esophageal varices, the results being compared with the findings of the esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Sixty patients with hepatic cirrhosis were analysed. The parameters that reached statistical significance for diagnosis of esophageal varices were: liver stiffness (LSM) > 15 kPa, hemodynamic liver index (PVr1) >/= 0.66, portal vascular resistance (PVR) > 17.66 and splenoportal index (SPI) > 4.77. The only parameter that reached statistical power for the diagnosis of large esophageal varices was LSM at a cut-off value of 28.8 kPa. Assessment of LSM in patients with liver cirrhosis can predict both the presence of esophageal varices and of large esophageal varices. The PVr1, PVR and SPI Doppler indexes can be used to diagnose the presence of esophageal varices but have no role in the prediction of large esophageal varices. Further studies are required to confirm these results and offer a stronger clinical significance.

Noninvasive predictors of presence and grade of esophageal varices in viral cirrhotic patients.

Predicting the presence and the grade of varices by non-invasive methods is likely to predict the need for prophylactic beta blockers or endoscopic variceal ligation. The factors related to the presence of varices are not well-defined. Therefore, the present study has been undertaken to determine the appropriateness of the various factors in predicting the existence and also the grade of esophageal varices. Patients with diagnosis of liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C or B were included in a retrospective study between January 2001 and January 2010. All the patients underwent detailed clinical evaluation, appropriate investigations, imaging studies (ultrasound with Doppler) and endoscopy at our center. Five variables considered relevant to the presence and grade of varices were tested using univariate and multivariate analysis (logistic regression). Three hundred and seventy two patients with viral liver cirrhosis were included, with 192 (51.6%) males. Platelet count and abundance of ascites were significantly associated with the presence of esophageal varices. However, abundance of ascites, prothrombin time, diameter of the spleen and portal vein were significantly associated with a large varice. In multivariate analysis, platelet count inferior to 100000 was associated with presence of varices (p = 0.04) and only abundance of ascites was associated with large varice. Low Platelet count (< or equal 100000) is associated with the presence of varices in viral cirrhotic patients and abundance of ascites is correlated with the presence of large varices.

B-type natriuretic peptide and cirrhosis progression.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is used as a marker of cardiac dysfunction to predict heart failure mortality. The significance of the prognostic ability of BNP for liver cirrhosis remains unknown, although the levels of BNP seen in cirrhosis are high. We aimed to determine whether the BNP level is related to the stage of cirrhosis and could serve as a prognostic marker of cirrhosis (predict the 1-year all-cause mortality). We recruited 92 patients at different stages of cirrhosis and 81 controls matched by age and gender for this study. At admission, cardiac physical examination and BNP measurements were performed. Upon discharge, the 89 patients were followed up for 12 months. The median BNP levels of patients with cirrhosis were 167.0 pg/mL, which were significantly higher than those of the control group (167.0 vs 34.8 pg/mL, P = 0.001). Serum BNP levels were positively correlated with the Child score, the grade of esophageal varices, a history of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and the presence of ascites and collateral circulation. BNP levels above the median were associated with an increased occurrence of death within 12 months of discharge (log rank P = 0.025), as determined by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Esophageal varices, large/medium volume ascites, and BNP levels were related to the clinical outcome (P = 0.034, 0.030, and 0.025, respectively). Together, these results suggested that serum BNP levels are significantly correlated with the stage of cirrhosis, suggesting that BNP levels might serve as a significant predictor for 1-year all-cause mortality.

Predictive Value of Non-Invasive Blood Ammonia Level for the Presence of Oesophageal Varices in Egyptian Patients With Liver Cirrhosis

AIM: Although recent guidelines recommend screening of cirrhotic patients by upper endoscopy for oesophageal varices prediction, Non-invasive parameters are needed due to high endoscopy cost and burden on endoscopic units particularly in poor countries. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of using ammonia blood level as potential non-invasive predictor of oesophageal varices in cirrhotic patients. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 150 Egyptian participants. Patients were categorized as group I which included 100 with oesophageal varices and group II included 30 patients without varices. There were 20 healthy control participants served as a control group (group III). All patients underwent for full clinical and laboratory workup, abdominal ultrasound and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Venous ammonia blood levels were calculated for all the contributors of this study. Results: The mean ammonia level was higher in group I (88.29±42.82 µmol/L) than in group II (82.77±49.76 µmol/L) with no statistical significant difference between the two groups (p=0.34). Ammonia level in group III was 73.37±30.36 µmol/L with no statistical significant difference with the other groups (p>0.05). In group I; ammonia level is positively correlated with the splenic vein diameter with r = 0.22 (p=0.026) but did not correlate with the grade of oesophageal varices r =0.031 (p-value=0.762). In multivariate analysis; ammonia combined with platelets, Age, PT and PC shared in a significant prediction model (I) for esophageal varices grading (p=0.002). Prediction model (II) including portal and splenic veins diameters and the liver size was developed (p=0.016). Conclusion: Non-invasive means could be used to monitor cirrhotic patients and consider treatment. Ammonia level can not be used alone but its use within a significant prediction model can help restricting the use of endoscopic screening in patients with a high probability of esophageal varices.

Left liver lobe diameter albumin ratio as a predictor of esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis: A preliminary report

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the significance of the ratio of diameter of left lobe of liver with serum albumin as a non-invasive predictor of esophageal varices. Materials and Methods: All consecutive patients with clinical cirrhosis were included in the study. The study was conducted in the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), Karachi, Pakistan. All patients underwent full history taking, clinical examination, relevant laboratory investigations and abdominal ultrasound evaluation. Measurement of the right liver lobe diameter (RLLD) and left liver lobe diameter (LLLD) was performed using ultrasound in the mid-clavicular line and central line, respectively. Esophago-gastroscopy was performed for the detection and grading of esophageal varices. Calculation of the RLLD and LLLD/serum albumin ratio was performed and analyzed for clinical significance. Results: One hundred and eleven subjects (80 males; 72%), with a mean age of 40.09 ± 13.6 years were studied. Esophageal varices were seen in 68 (61.3%) patients and Child-Pugh class A accounted for 41.4%, class B for 45.9% and class C for 12.6% cases. The mean value of RLLD/serum albumin ratio was 5.05 ± 1.90 in patients with varices versus 4.24 ± 1.64 in patients without varices (P = 0.023). The mean value of the LLLD/serum albumin ratio was 2.41 ± 0.90 in patients with varices versus 1.89 ± 0.61 in patients without varices (P &lt; 0.001). Areas under curve were 0.377 and 0.69 for the RLLD/ serum albumin ratio and LLLD/serum albumin ratio, respectively. At a cut-off value of 1.5, the sensitivity was 88.1% and the specificity was 72.1% for the LLLD/albumin ratio. Conclusion: The LLLD/albumin ratio is a better predictor of esophageal varices than the RLLD/albumin ratio in patients with liver cirrhosis.