Tertiary Liver Center Research Articles

CA-125 Significance in Cirrhosis and Correlation with Disease Severity and Portal Hypertension: A Retrospective Study

Background and Aims: To evaluate the prevalence and significance of elevated cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) levels in patients with cirrhosis being treated in a tertiary care liver center and its correlation with objective markers of disease severity.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 172 adult patients with cirrhosis (due to any etiology) after obtaining CA-125 serum analysis. Demographics, etiology of cirrhosis, model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, Child’s Turcotte-Pugh classification, albumin bilirubin (ALBI) score, degree of ascites, presence of esophageal varices, serum CA-125 level and various other parameters were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software and descriptive statistics.Results: Elevated CA-125 levels were noted in 147 patients (85%) of the study population. Higher MELD score was associated with higher CA-125 levels (p = 0.001). Statistically significant correlation was observed between elevated CA-125 levels and degree of ascites (p < 0.001), ALBI score (p < 0.001) and Child’s Turcotte-Pugh class (p < 0.001). No correlation was observed with presence or absence of esophageal varices. Near-normal CA-125 levels were noted in patients with cirrhosis but undetectable ascites on ultrasound imaging. No differences were observed in mean values between male and female patients (p = 0.207). Regression analysis confirmed that CA-125 levels had a better correlation with degree of ascites than MELD score or ALBI score.Conclusions: Elevated CA-125 levels were noted in 85% of patients with cirrhosis at our center. Our study establishes that the more advanced the degree of decompensation based on MELD score, Child’s Turcotte-Pugh classification and ALBI score, the higher the elevation in CA-125. Absence of ascites was associated with normal CA-125 level, with a direct correlation between high levels and worsening ascites, but there was no statistically significant correlation with esophageal varices, indicating that elevated CA-125 levels could be related to mechanical stretch of the peritoneum rather than portal hypertension itself. Further multi-centered studies are required to confirm and validate these findings.

Development and validation of a difficulty score to predict intraoperative complications during laparoscopic liver resection.

Previous studies have demonstrated that patient, surgical, tumour and operative variables affect the complexity of laparoscopic liver resections. However, current difficulty scoring systems address only tumour factors. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a predictive model for the risk of intraoperative complications during laparoscopic liver resections. The prospectively maintained databases of seven European tertiary referral liver centres were compiled. Data from two-thirds of the patients were used for development and one-third for validation of the model. Intraoperative complications were based on a modified Satava classification. Using the methodology of the Framingham Heart Study, developed to identify risk factors that contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease, factors found to predict intraoperative complications independently were assigned points, and grouped into low-, moderate-, high- and extremely high-risk groups based on the likelihood of intraoperative complications. A total of 2856 patients were included. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, lesion type and size, classification of resection and previous open liver resection were found to be independent predictors of intraoperative complications. Patients with intraoperative complications had a longer duration of hospital stay (5 versus 4 days; P < 0·001), higher complication rates (32·5 versus 15·5 per cent; P < 0·001), and higher 30-day (3·0 versus 0·3 per cent; P < 0·001) and 90-day (3·8 versus 0·8 per cent; P < 0·001) mortality rates than those who did not. The model was able to predict intraoperative complications (area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) 0·677, 95 per cent c.i. 0·647 to 0·706) as well as postoperative 90-day mortality (AUC 0·769, 0·681 to 0·858). This comprehensive scoring system, based on patient, surgical and tumour factors, and developed and validated using a large multicentre European database, helped estimate the risk of intraoperative complications.

High efficacy of direct-acting anti-viral agents in hepatitis C virus-infected cirrhotic patients with successfully treated hepatocellular carcinoma.

The efficacy of direct-acting anti-viral (DAA) therapy in patients with a history of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown. We prospectively evaluated whether previously treated HCC affects DAA efficacy in a large real-life cohort of cirrhotic patients. From January to December 2015 all consecutive HCV mono-infected patients with cirrhosis and/or history of HCC attending 10 Italian tertiary liver centres were enrolled. Baseline characteristics and response to therapy were recorded. 1927 patients were enrolled (mean age: 62.1±10.9years; 1.205 males). Genotype 1 was the most frequent (67.9%) followed by genotypes 3 (12.4%), 2 (11.2%) and 4 (8.6%). 88.4% and 10.9% of cases were classified Child A and B, respectively, and 14 (<1%) cases were classified Child C. Ascites and hepatic encephalopathy occurred in 10.7% and 3.2% of patients, respectively. Varices were detected in 39.3% of patients. Suboptimal and optimal treatment was prescribed: 15.9% of patients received sofosbuvir/simeprevir, 33.4% sofosbuvir/ledipasvir, 20.2% a Viekirax+Exviera regimen, 15.7% sofosbuvir/ribavirin, 9.9% sofosbuvir/daclatasvir and 3.4% Viekirax; 1.3% of patients received an interferon-based regimen. The sustained virologic response (SVR) rate at intention-to-treat analysis was 95.1%. It differed significantly across Child classes, that is, 96.3%, 86.1% and 71.4% Child A, B and C, respectively (P<0.0001) and across genotypes (P=0.002). The SVR rate did not differ between patients with (95.0%) and those without previous HCC (95.1%). At multivariable analysis, SVR was significantly associated with HCV genotype, Child class. This large real-life study proves that the efficacy of DAA in cirrhotic patients is not impaired by successfully treated HCC.

Bleeding risk of variceal band ligation in extrahepatic portal vein obstruction is not increased by oral anticoagulation.

Noncirrhotic nontumoral extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) is the second leading cause of portal hypertension (PHT) and is mainly related to prothrombotic disorders. Patients with EHPVO often require prolonged oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) together with variceal band ligation (VBL) to prevent thrombosis recurrence and PHT-related bleeding, respectively. The benefit-risk balance of VBL in this context remains unknown. We aimed to assess upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB) risk and variceal eradication efficacy in EHPVO patients undergoing a VBL program without stopping OAT. All patients with EHPVO treated (group A) or not (group B) with OAT and undergoing the VBL program were included between 2001 and 2010 in two tertiary French liver centers. We compared the incidence, source, and severity of UGB and variceal eradication efficacy. All EHPVO patients were then matched 1 : 1 with compensated cirrhotic patients with PHT not receiving OAT (group C) to compare UGB incidence and VBL efficacy. Forty-three EHPVO patients (30 with and 13 without OAT) and 43 cirrhotic patients were included for a total of 471 VBL sessions. The incidence of UGB was similar between group A (nine episodes/121 sessions) and group B (6/130), and tended to be higher in EHPVO patients (group A and B) than in cirrhotic patients (2/220). There was no difference between groups when considering bleeding source or severity and variceal eradication efficacy (84%). VBL can be performed safely and efficiently without stopping anticoagulation therapy in EHPVO patients.

Advanced chronic liver disease in the last year of life: a mixed methods study to understand how care in a specialist liver unit could be improved

ObjectiveTo identify the limitations in palliative care provision in the last year of life for people with liver cirrhosis and potential barriers to and enablers of palliative care.DesignMixed methods, including...

Laparoscopic Versus Open Liver Resection for Colorectal Metastases in Elderly and Octogenarian Patients: A Multicenter Propensity Score Based Analysis of Short- and Long-term Outcomes.

This study aims to compare the perioperative and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic and open liver resection for colorectal liver metastases in the elderly. Laparoscopic liver resection has been associated with less morbidity and similar oncological outcomes to open liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs). It has been reported that these benefits continue to be observed in elderly patients. However, in previous studies, patients over 70 or 75 years were considered as a single, homogenous population raising questions regarding the true impact of the laparoscopic approach on this diverse group of elderly patients. Prospectively maintained databases of all patients undergoing liver resection for CRLM in 5 tertiary liver centers were included. Those over 70-years old were selected for this study. The cohort was divided in 3 subgroups based on age. A comparative analysis was performed after the implementation of propensity score matching on the 2 main cohorts (laparoscopic and open groups) and also on the study subgroups. A total of 775 patients were included in the study. After propensity score matching 225 patients were comparable in each of the main groups. Lower blood loss (250 vs 400 mL, P = 0.001), less overall morbidity (22% vs 39%, P = 0.001), shorter High Dependency Unit (2 vs. 6 days, P = 0.001), and total hospital stay (5 vs. 8 days, P = 0.001) were observed after laparoscopic liver resection. Comparable rates of R0 resection (88% vs 88%, P = 0.999), median recurrence-free survival (33 vs 27 months, P = 0.502), and overall survival (51 vs 45 months, P = 0.671) were observed. The advantages seen with the laparoscopic approach were reproduced in the 70 to 74-year old subgroup; however there was a gradual loss of these advantages with increasing age. In patients over 70 years of age laparoscopic liver resection, for colorectal liver metastases, offers significant lower morbidity, and a shorter hospital stay with comparable oncological outcomes when compared with open liver resection. However, the benefits of the laparoscopic approach appear to fade with increasing age, with no statistically significant benefits in octogenarians except for a lower High Dependency Unit stay.

Association of Variants of Arginine Vasopressin and ArginineVasopressin Receptor 1A With Severe AcetaminophenLiver Injury.

Background & AimsAcetaminophen-related acute liver injury and liver failure (ALF) result from ingestion of supratherapeutic quantities of this analgesic, frequently in association with other forms of substance abuse including alcohol, opioids, and cocaine. Thus, overdosing represents a unique high-risk behavior associated with other forms of drug use disorder.MethodsWe examined a series of 21 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 9 genes related to impulsivity and/or stress responsivity that may modify response to stress. Study subjects were 229 white patients admitted to tertiary care liver centers for ALF that was determined to be due to acetaminophen toxicity after careful review of historical and biochemical data. Identification of relevant SNPs used Sanger sequencing, TaqMan, or custom microarray. Association tests were carried out to compare genotype frequencies between patients and healthy white controls.ResultsThe mean age was 37 years, and 75.6% were female, with similar numbers classified as intentional overdose or unintentional (without suicidal intent, occurring for a period of several days, usually due to pain). There was concomitant alcohol abuse in 30%, opioid use in 33.6%, and use of other drugs of abuse in 30.6%. The genotype frequencies of 2 SNPs were found to be significantly different between the cases and controls, specifically SNP rs2282018 in the arginine vasopressin gene (AVP, odds ratio 1.64) and SNP rs11174811 in the AVP receptor 1A gene (AVPR1A, odds ratio 1.89), both of which have been previously linked to a drug use disorder diagnosis.ConclusionsPatients who develop acetaminophen-related ALF have increased frequency of gene variants that may cause altered stress responsivity, which has been shown to be associated with other unrelated substance use disorders.

Patient understanding of liver cirrhosis and improvement using multimedia education

ObjectiveFor patients to engage with the long-term management of liver cirrhosis, sufficient understanding of their condition is essential. The aim of this study was to assess baseline patient knowledge and...

FRI-348 - Natural history of patients with NASH followed at a tertiary referral liver center: impact of presenting features.

FRI-348 - Natural history of patients with NASH followed at a tertiary referral liver center: impact of presenting features.

Analysis of the prevalence of drug-resistant hepatitis B virus in patients with antiviral therapy failure in a Chinese tertiary referral liver centre (2010-2014).

To study the prevalence of drug-resistant HBV in patients with therapy failure in a Chinese tertiary referral liver centre. 1223 HBV-infected patients who underwent genotypic resistance testing between 2010-2014 were studied. 3TC genotypic resistance was the most common (46.5%), followed by LdT resistant (46.2%), ETV intermediate (37.9%), ADV resistant (11.4%), TDF intermediate (11.4%) and ETV resistant (1.7%). The 3TC resistance rate increased from 39.8% in 2010 to 56.6% in 2013, before decreasing to 49.5% in 2014, evidence of a lagging effect of l-nucleoside consumption. M204I, N236T and L180M+M204V+V173L/S202G were the most common substitutions for l-nucleoside (3TC and LdT), ADV and ETV genotypic resistant phenotypes, respectively. 3TC-exposed patients showed a high multiple genetic resistance rate (3TC-resistant+LdT-resistant+ETV intermediate; 58.8%). Resistance rates to 3TC, LdT and ETV in HCC patients were significantly higher than in cirrhosis and CHB patients. Resistance rates to different drugs showed no statistical difference between genotype B and C patients, whilst some amino acid substitution showed genotype bias, e.g. N236T incidence in genotype B was significantly higher than in genotype C (43.2% vs. 5.9%; P<0.0001), and genotype C isolates had a significantly higher A181V/T incidence than genotype B (54.9% vs. 19.3%; P<0.0001). 3TC genotypic resistance was most common in this centre, whilst ETV had the lowest resistance rate. HBV genotypes had no impact on antiviral drug resistance, except for some drug resistance substitutions bias. Optional initial therapy and subsequent rescue treatment should be based on knowledge of nucleos(t)ide analogue resistance.

Screening for the INCA trial: Increased prevalence of common NOD2 risk variants in patients with cirrhosis in tertiary liver centers

Screening for the INCA trial: Increased prevalence of common NOD2 risk variants in patients with cirrhosis in tertiary liver centers

Clinical characteristics and outcome of cirrhotic patients with high protein concentrations in ascites: a prospective study.

The protein concentration in ascites is usually low in cirrhosis because capillarization and defenestration of the sinusoids limit diffusion of large proteins from plasma to the space of Disse. However, some cirrhotic patients have high-protein ascites (HPA). The aim of this study was to describe and compare the characteristics and prognosis between cirrhotic patients with HPA (>20 g/l) and patients with low-protein ascites (LPA). In this longitudinal observational prospective cohort study, all consecutive cirrhotic patients with ascites hospitalized in our tertiary liver center were included and followed for up to 2 years, provided that they had no other cause of HPA. HPA was defined as protein concentrations of more than 20 g/l. Among 107 patients included, 19 (17.8%) had HPA. HPA patients had more refractory ascites (63 vs. 34%), better liver functions, and a higher 1-year transplant-free survival rate compared with LPA patients (P<0.05). Portal hypertension parameters were not different. During follow-up, 47% of HPA patients were treated by transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts versus 18% of LPA patients, whereas 15 LPA patients required liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease versus only one HPA patient. We observed higher protein filtration and less pericellular, centrilobular, and sinusoidal fibrosis in cirrhotic HPA livers compared with LPA livers. Almost 20% of cirrhotic patients with ascites have HPA (>20 g/l). These patients have better liver functions and a higher 1-year survival than those with LPA, even though ascites are more often refractory.

Changing time line of CMV infection in seropositive live donor Liver Transplant recipients: A prospective study from a tertiary care liver center

Changing time line of CMV infection in seropositive live donor Liver Transplant recipients: A prospective study from a tertiary care liver center

Increased prevalence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome: a retrospective analysis.

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare, potentially fatal disease characterized by hepatic venous outflow tract obstruction. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an immune-mediated complication of heparin therapy, with mortality approaching 10%. The reported prevalence of HIT in adults is 0.2-5.2%. Expert consensus through case reports is the only existing evidence of HIT in BCS. To our knowledge, this is the first study to formalize this anecdotal evidence. A retrospective analysis was carried out of patients presenting at a tertiary liver centre with acute liver failure because of BCS or BCS as the primary indication for liver transplantation between 2000 and 2013. The prevalence of HIT in the study group was compared with the highest reported prevalence in adult medical patients receiving heparin (5.2%). Mortality, length of stay and liver transplantation rates were also studied. Of 32 BCS patients, 9 (28.1%) developed HIT, significantly higher than the previously reported prevalence of HIT in medical patients (5.2%) (P<0.0001). There was no difference in mortality (P=0.66), length of stay (P=0.58) and liver transplantation rate (P=0.39) between HIT-positive and HIT-negative patients. The prevalence of HIT (28.1%) in our cohort of BCS patients is significantly higher than that in the general population (0.2-5.2%). Although this study was not powered to detect outcome differences, as heparin is the mainstay of acute BCS treatment, this represents a significant risk. We recommend a high index of suspicion for HIT in patients with BCS and thrombocytopenia, an appropriate HIT-testing strategy and consideration of direct thrombin inhibitors.

Hepatic visceral larva migrans, a resilient entity on imaging: Experience from a tertiary liver center.

Introduction:Hepatic visceral larva migrans (VLM) is an uncommon parasitic manifestation seen in the liver. It presents as coalescing, conglomerated, or solitary abscess cavities in the liver on imaging. We conducted a retrospective clinico-radiological analysis of 24 patients with biopsy proven VLM who were reviewed and followed up at our tertiary liver institute over a period of 4 years.Materials and Methods:The study was performed to correlate the radiological features and imaging response to therapy for hepatic VLM. The disease course, imaging findings, progressive, absolute eosinophil counts (AEC), hydatid serology, and the extent of radiological regression of the liver lesions, on follow-up were analyzed.Results:Imaging showed a diagnostic accuracy of 42%. Hydatid serology was positive in 46% patients before starting treatment. The median pretreatment AEC of 507 showed a significant posttreatment AEC decline to median value of 117. The Wilcoxon signed ranks test showed significant decline in the AEC (P < 0.001). Radiological regression was present in all lesions. However, patients showed residual abscesses on imaging, up to 2 years on follow-up.Conclusion:This study reveals that AEC has a significant predictive value in diagnosis and as a marker for disease regression. Complete radiological resolution of hepatic lesions does not correlate with total clinical remission. This finding warrants the need for further studies to look into the role of prolonged medical therapy or surgery as an alternate to current therapy module in cases of hepatic visceral larva abscesses.

Long-term follow-up of patients with difficult to treat type 1 autoimmune hepatitis on Tacrolimus therapy

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an immune-mediated liver disease, which requires long-term immunosuppression. Ten to fifteen percent of patients experience insufficient/intolerance response to standard therapy. Although alternate immunosuppression has been applied, there is little long-term data reported on safety, efficacy, steroid-dose reduction and disease evolution in patients with difficult AIH who were on Tacrolimus therapy. Materials and methods: Clinical, biochemical, immunological profiles, treatment response and side effects of 17 AIH patients treated with Tacrolimus between 2003 and 2014 were analyzed from two tertiary referral liver centers. Results: Tacrolimus was started on 16/17 (94%) patients due to insufficient response to standard therapy. The median duration of treatment was 24 months and patients were followed up for median of 60 months. Tacrolimus dosage was 2 mg/day (median). During first year of therapy, there was a significant improvement in immunoglobulin G and Aspartate transaminase level. 9/17 (52%) compliant and definite AIH patients remained on Tacrolimus at end of follow-up and prednisolone dose reduction was achieved from 10 to 5 mg. All patients are alive and one patient underwent liver transplantation. 4/17 (24%) patients developed overlap with primary sclerosing cholangitis over follow-up period. No significant side effects were observed with Tacrolimus therapy. Conclusion: Tacrolimus could be used in compliant patients with difficult to treat AIH in experienced centers. Its use is safe and can improve liver biochemistry, IgG and reduce steroid requirement. However, due to the lack of immunomodulatory effect, unmet need for effective immune-regulatory therapies still remain for AIH patients.

Combination of radiofrequency ablation with transarterial chemoembolization for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: experience from a Danish tertiary liver center.

Recent studies have shown that the combination of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may offer a survival advantage compared to monotherapy. To study the effectiveness of combination therapy with RFA and TACE compared to that of TACE alone in a Scandinavian tertiary liver cancer center. A retrospective study of the patients treated with combination therapy vis-à-vis TACE alone from June 2007 to November 2012 was performed. Eighteen patients were treated with a combination of RFA and TACE with an interval of 1-4 days between the treatments. For comparison, a group of 18 patients treated with TACE as monotherapy in the same time period was matched with the combination group by demographic data, tumor characteristics, biochemical and clinical parameters, and performance status (PS). Each group consisted of 14 patients with cirrhosis and four without. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding age, gender, tumor characteristics, causes of cirrhosis, levels of bilirubin, creatinine, prothrombin time, Child Pugh score, or World Health Organization (WHO) performance status. The median survival of patients in the RFA + TACE combination group was 586 days compared to 296 days in the control group. The difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.26). However, when we stratified the data for cirrhosis and WHO performance status, patients in the combination group had significantly better survival (P = 0.024). Combination therapy with RFA and TACE for unresectable HCC, compared to TACE alone, may offer a survival benefit for a selected group of patients with HCC.

PTH-127 Nottingham-cambridge liver transplant (OLT) combined service evaluation

<h3>Introduction</h3> UK liver transplant centres frequently link with other tertiary liver centres to improve access for patient and secure a broader referral base, and is consistent with a “hub-and-spoke model” for liver services. Our aim is to evaluate outcomes from the Nottingham-Cambridge transplantation service. <h3>Method</h3> Nottingham-Cambridge outreach liver transplant service was established in 2010. We recorded demographics, disease aetiology, indication, time of referral and listing, UKELD, complications and 3-year survival following transplantation. Outcomes were compared to historical controls of published data from Addenbrooke’s transplant service. <h3>Results</h3> 106 patients were reviewed between 2010–2014. 18 patients (16.9%) received transplant at Addenbrooke’s prior to 2010, 88 (83%) were considered for transplant after 2010. There were 50 males (mean age 52 +/- 12.4 SD years) and 38 females (mean age 52.3 +/- 12.3 SD years). Aetiologies were alcoholic liver disease n = 30 (34%), hepatitis C n = 18 (20.5%), hepatitis B n = 4 (4.5%), autoimmune including PBC and PSC n = 15 (17%), metabolic n = 11 (12.5%), cryptogenic cirrhosis n = 4 (4.5%), paracetamol overdose n = 2 (2.2%) and biliary atresia, familial intrahepatic cholestasis, erythrohepatic porphyria and polycystic liver kidney disease each of n = 1 (1.1%). Chronic liver disease remains the main indication for transplant n = 73 (83%), acute liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma each contributed to n = 6 (6.8%), graft failure of n = 3 (3.4%). Average time from referral to listing for transplant was 90 days and mean UKELD is 55. 42/88 (47.7%) received transplant, 9/88 (10.2%) patients are currently listed, 21/88 (23.8%) patients were deferred, 4 (4.5%) suspended once listed, 6 (6.8%) failed assessment for transplant, 1 undergoing assessment, 3 died while on waiting list and 2 died before assessment. Average time after listing to receive transplant was 136 days, compared to historical control of 135 days (95% CI 100–170; p=ns). 90-day graft and patient survivals were 97.6% and 95.2% compared to 93.5% (95% CI 84–96.6%; p=ns) and 95.1% (95% CI 86.1–98.7%; p=ns). Complications occurred in 16/42 transplanted; 2 deaths (4.8%), 4 (9.5%) anastomotic biliary strictures, 2 (13.3%) cholestatic hepatitis C, 2 (4.8%) depression and one each (2.4%) of hepatic artery thrombosis, splenic artery aneurysm, PRES-associated seizures, atypical cellular injury, recidivism and ongoing hepato-pulmonary syndrome. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The Nottingham-Cambridge satellite service has waiting times, survival outcomes comparable to Addenbrooke’s transplant unit outcomes and this support the extension of such collaboration throughout the UK. This requires close collaboration between clinical teams. <h3>Disclosure of interest</h3> None Declared.

Clinical management of chronic hepatitis B infection: results from a registry at a German tertiary referral center.

We studied a cohort of adult patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection, followed at a tertiary referral liver center in Germany over 12.5 years to analyze the clinical features and impact of management on disease progression and survival of CHB patients in general and of those with CHB and HCC in particular. We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 242 adult (age ≥ 18 years) patients. CHB was defined as positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and/or HBV-DNA levels >10 IU/mL for at least 6 months. Patient demographics, HBV markers, antiviral treatment, laboratory parameters, liver imaging and histology were recorded for each visit. HCC patients were divided into two groups and separately analyzed (group 1: n = 24, HCC at first visit and group 2: n = 11, HCC during surveillance). The mean age was 44 years in CHB patients without HCC (63% male) and about 59 years in patients with HCC (77% male). Antiviral therapy was given to 59% of patients without HCC compared to only 25% in group 1 and 18% in group 2 with comparable median HBV DNA levels of approximately 36,000 IU/mL. There was no statistically significant difference concerning the HCC stages (Milan, UCSF, BCLC) at first diagnosis. Five-year survival was 19% in group 1 vs. 64% in group 2 (p = 0.019), with LTx performed in 12 vs. 45%, respectively. Surveillance of CHB patients did not result in early stage detection of HCC but in a higher likelihood to receive potentially curative treatments.

Risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is low in patients with chronic liver disease exposed to gadolinium-based contrast agents.

To determine the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in a cohort of patients with chronic liver disease. This retrospective, Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant study was performed at a single tertiary liver center. The study cohort comprised 1167 patients with chronic liver disease followed in a liver clinic and exposed to gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) between February 2004 and October 2007. A retrospective review of medical records was performed. For each patient, data were collected on demographics, history of GBCA exposure, presence of purported risk factors for NSF, and histopathological evidence of NSF. Of the 1167 patients with chronic liver disease, 58% (n = 678) had cirrhosis. The patients had a total of 2421 separate GBCA exposures. Fifty-five percent (n = 646) had a single exposure, 19% (n = 218) had two exposures, and 26% (n = 303) had three or more exposures. Seventy-two percent (n = 843) of patients had renal insufficiency, 25 patients (2.1%) had hepatorenal syndrome, 80 patients (6.8%) were in the perioperative liver transplant period, and 49 patients (4.2%) had one or more additional risk factors for NSF. None of the 1167 patients developed NSF. Chronic liver disease does not appear to be a significant risk factor for NSF.