Transjugular Intrahepatic Shunt Research Articles

History of depression is associated with higher prevalence of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with advanced liver disease

Introduction: Depression and hepatic encephalopathy are common in patients with advanced liver disease. Although these are distinct entities, they share several clinical features. In this analysis, we evaluated whether having a history of depression was associated with developing hepatic encephalopathy in patients with advanced liver disease Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with cirrhosis referred for liver transplant. Patients were categorized into one of two groups: “history of depression” or “no history of depression.” Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate history of depression as a potential independent predictor of hepatic encephalopathy Results: A total of 447 patients were included, of which 158 (35%) had a history of depression and 233 (52%) had experienced hepatic encephalopathy. Hepatic encephalopathy was more common in patients with a history of depression (63% vs. 46%, p<0.01). On multivariate analyses, depression history was independently associated with hepatic encephalopathy (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4-3.6), along with alcohol associated cirrhosis (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.2), history of ascites (aOR 3.5, 95% CI 2.1-5.9) and presence of a trans-jugular intra-hepatic shunt (aOR 9.2, 95% CI 2.6-32.6). The relationship between history of depression and hepatic encephalopathy remained significant in a subgroup of patients with alcohol associated liver disease (p=0.04). Among those with a history of depression, SNRI prescription was more common in the hepatic encephalopathy group (14% vs. 3%), and SNRI prescription was as an independent predictor of hepatic encephalopathy in the multivariable model (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.0, 24.6) Conclusion: Patients with a history of depression were significantly more likely to experience hepatic encephalopathy. Patients with cirrhosis who have a history of depression should be closely monitored for the development of hepatic encephalopathy. Further research is needed to understand the nuances of this relationship and whether the use of certain psychiatric medications may modify the relationship between depression and hepatic encephalopathy.

Personalised human albumin in patients with cirrhosis and ascites: design and rationale for the ALB-TRIAL - a randomised clinical biomarker validation trial

IntroductionHuman albumin is used in the treatment of complications of cirrhosis. However, the use of long-term human albumin administration is costly and resource demanding for both patients and healthcare systems....

Flood Syndrome: Endovascular management of spontaneous rupture of an umbilical hernia due to long-standing ascites – A case report

Umbilical hernias are common in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and ascites; however, spontaneous rupture of the hernia is a rare complication. Flood Syndrome occurs very rarely in cirrhotic patients with massive ascites and refers to the spontaneous rupture of an umbilical hernia followed by leakage of ascites fluid. A literature search shows that patients have been managed both operatively and nonoperatively for this condition. We report a case of a 56-year-old man with a history of alcohol-related liver cirrhosis and massive ascites refractory to medical therapy with sudden and spontaneous perforation of his hernia leading to drainage of ascitic fluid from the abdomen. We performed a transjugular intrahepatic portosystematic shunt to relieve portal pressure and subsequent intraabdominal pressure. The patient had resolution of symptoms and the ascitic fluid outflow was resolved.

Ендоваскулярні втручання в комплексній терапії пацієнтів із портальною гіпертензією і кровотечею з варикозно розширених вен

For today, endovascular procedures, such as embolization of splenic artery, transjugular intrahepatic shunt, and retrograde transvenous obliteration with balloon occlusion are widely applied in the treatment and prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in patients with portal hypertension. Splenomegaly with the development of hypersplenism is one of complications of portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis, which can negatively be influenced on clinical course. Due to that, it can be assumed that the management of hypersplenism in patients with portal hypertension with the applying of splenic artery embolization, could be improve the results of treatment of this group of patients. Purpose - to summarize the own experience of the applying of splenic artery embolization in the complex therapy in patients with portal hypertension that complicated by the variceal bleeding. Materials and methods. This study based on the results of treatment of 36 patients, in which the embolization of splenic artery was applied in the complex management (conventional treatment and endoscopic ligation of varices). The classic method of “chronic” occlusion was used for the embolization. The embolization on the level of the initial portion of the main trunk of splenic artery was performed in 30 (83.3%) of patients. Due to the anatomical peculiarities of vasculature, embolization was performed on the level of middle part of splenic artery in 6 (16.7%) of patients. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated by the changes of complete blood count indices and ultrasonography results. Statistical analysis was performed using the program SPSS Statistic for Windows, version 15.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results. The middle age of patients was 55.8±1.6 years. The middle value of Child-Turcotte-Pugh criterion was 2.44±0.08, and MELD score was 16.36±0.99 value. Conclusions. The applying of splenic artery embolization that combined with conventional therapy and endoscopic ligation of varices is appropriate and justified. Embolization of the splenic artery promotes to decrease of appearance of hypersplenism in patients with the portal hypertension with positive influence on follow-up clinical course. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

Mild Prolongation of Prothrombin Time Does Not Affect the Safety and Prognosis of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portal Shunt: Based on Real-World Data.

The aim was to investigate the safety and prognosis of transjugular intrahepatic portal shunt in patients with mildly prolonged prothrombin time. Two hundred fifty-three patients with portal hypertension who received transjugular intrahepatic portal shunt from November 2015 to May 2021 in Wuhan Union Hospital were retrospectively selected. According to the preoperative prothrombin time, they were divided into 2 groups: 126 patients in the non-clinical significance group (prothrombin time prolongation <3 seconds) and 127 patients in the clinical significance group (3 seconds ≤ prothrombin time prolongation <6 seconds). A line chart of postoperative liver and kidney function was drawn, and Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyze and compare the prognosis of the 2 groups. Transjugular intrahepatic portal shunt was successfully performed in all patients; the technical success rate was 100%, and no puncture-related complications occurred during perioperative period. The mean preoperative prothrombin time was 14.9 ± 0.7 seconds in the non-clinical significance group and 17.2 ± 0.8 seconds in the clinical significance group. During follow-up, 1-year stent dysfunction rates in the non-clinical significance group and clinical significance group were 3.5% and 6.9%, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (hazard ratio = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.30-1.93, log-rank P = .575). In addition, there were no significant differences in the cumulative survival rate (log rank P = .255), rebleeding rate (log-rank P = .392), and incidence of hepatic encephalopathy (log-rank P = .404) between the 2 groups. Subgroup analysis of the clinical significance group showed no significant difference in safety and prognosis between the 2 subgroups. Transjugular intrahepatic portal shunt is safe for portal hypertension patients with prothrombin time prolongation <6 seconds. There was no significant difference in prognosis between the non-clinical significance group and the clinical significance group.

Adverse events after the transjugular intrahepatic portal shunt are linked to serum metabolomic changes following the procedure.

Background and Objective: Transjugular intrahepatic portal shunt (TIPS) insertion could promote weight gain and muscle and fat mass increase in patients with cirrhosis. However, few studies have focused on metabolic changes after TIPS. This study aims to explore metabolic changes after TIPS and potential biomarkers of adverse events. Methods: Peripheral and portal serum samples were collected before and after TIPS insertion. Untargeted metabolomics was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Spearman's correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between metabolites and clinical parameters. Metabolite set enrichment analysis was performed to explore enriched pathways. The predictive value of the metabolites was calculated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. Results: Metabolites in the peripheral and portal serum significantly changed early after TIPS. Some lipid metabolites were significantly correlated with liver function parameters. Both elevated and depleted metabolites were mainly enriched in amino acid metabolism. Nine and 12 portal metabolites have moderate predictive value in post-TIPS liver function decline and hepatic encephalopathy (HE), separately (area under curve >0.7). Conclusion: Metabolites in the peripheral and portal veins significantly changed after TIPS. Some metabolic changes might be ascribed to liver function decline early after TIPS. Nine and 12 portal metabolites might be potential biomarkers in prediction of liver function decline and HE, separately.

Transjugular intrahepatic collateral-systemic shunt is effective for cavernous transformation of the portal vein with variceal bleeding

BackgroundThe transjugular intrahepatic portal collateral-systemic shunt (transcollateral TIPS) is used to treat portal hypertension-related complications in patients with cavernous transformation of the portal vein (CTPV) and whose main portal vein cannot be recanalized. It is still not clear whether transcollateral TIPS can be as effective as portal vein recanalization–transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (PVR–TIPS). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcollateral TIPS in the treatment of refractory variceal bleeding with CTPV.MethodsPatients with refractory variceal bleeding caused by CTPV were selected from the database of consecutive patients treated with TIPS in Xijing Hospital from January 2015 to March 2022. They were divided into the transcollateral TIPS group and the PVR–TIPS group. The rebleeding rate, overall survival, shunt dysfunction, overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) and operation-related complications were analyzed.ResultsA total of 192 patients were enrolled, including 21 patients with transcollateral TIPS and 171 patients with PVR–TIPS. Compared with the patients with PVR–TIPS, the patients with transcollateral TIPS had more noncirrhosis (52.4 vs. 19.9%, p = 0.002), underwent fewer splenectomies (14.3 vs. 40.9%, p = 0.018), and had more extensive thromboses (38.1 vs. 15.2%, p = 0.026). There were no differences in rebleeding, survival, shunt dysfunction, or operation-related complication rates between the transcollateral TIPS and PVR–TIPS groups. However, the OHE rate was significantly lower in the transcollateral TIPS group (9.5 vs. 35.1%, p = 0.018).ConclusionTranscollateral TIPS is an effective treatment for CTPV with refractory variceal bleeding.

Diagnosis and management of ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and hepatorenal syndrome.

Ascites is the most common decompensation-associated complication of cirrhosis leading to reduced survival. Following significant development of antimicrobial resistance and studies comparing therapeutic options, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases released a new guidance providing an in-depth review of those studies and updated guidelines based on expert opinions and emerging data. We review salient 2021 guidance recommendations to provide brief pearls for diagnosis and management of ascites and relevant conditions associated with decompensated cirrhosis, such as hyponatremia, hepatic hydrothorax, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and hepatorenal syndrome, and use of transjugular intrahepatic shunt.

Agreement between Wedged Hepatic Venous Pressure and Portal Pressure in Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome.

Wedge hepatic vein pressure (WHVP) accurately estimates the portal pressure (PP) in chronic sinusoidal portal hypertension patients. Whether this applies to patients with acute portal hypertension due to hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) is unclear. Our aim was to assess the agreement between WHVP and PP in patients with HSOS by comparing them to decompensated cirrhosis patients. From December 2013 to December 2021, patients with pyrrolidine alkaloid-induced HSOS (PA-HSOS) receiving hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement and transjugular intrahepatic portosystem shunt (TIPS) were retrospectively collected and matched with those of patients with virus- or alcohol-related cirrhosis as a cirrhosis group. Pearson's correlation (R), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), scatter plots, and the Bland-Altman method were performed for agreement evaluation. A total of 64 patients were analyzed (30 PA-HSOS and 34 cirrhosis groups). The correlation between WHVP and PP was moderate in the PA-HSOS group (R: 0.58, p = 0.001; ICC: 0.68, p = 0.002) but good in the cirrhosis group (R: 0.81, p &lt; 0.001; ICC: 0.90, p &lt; 0.001). The percentage of patients with inconsistent WHVP and PP in the two groups was 13 (43.3%) and 15 (26.5%) (p = 0.156), respectively, and an overestimation of PP was more common in the PA-HSOS group (33.3% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.004). HVPG and portal pressure gradient (PPG) consistency was poor in both groups (R: 0.51 vs. 0.26; ICC: 0.65 vs. 0.41; p &lt; 0.05). WHVP in patients with PA-HSOS did not estimate PP as accurately as in patients with virus- or alcohol-related cirrhosis, which was mainly due to PP overestimation.

Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) predicts liver failure after transjugular intrahepatic portal shunt: a retrospective cohort study.

Esophagogastric variceal bleeding is a serious complication of decompensated cirrhosis. Transjugular intrahepatic portal shunt (TIPS) is a salvage treatment with clear hemostatic results. However, various complications may occur after TIPS, including postoperative liver failure, and the prognosis is very poor once occurs. Liver failure is a common symptom of severe liver disease with a high mortality rate. This study investigated the incidence of liver failure after TIPS treatment for varicose bleeding. We analyzed the data of patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between January 2013 and December 2018 with portal hypertension with an episode of acute gastroesophageal variceal bleeding. A total of 121 patients were referred to the regional liver unit for TIPS. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and clinical data were collected. Patients with incomplete data were excluded, and 93 patients were ultimately enrolled in the study. Primary outcomes were morbidity and hospital mortality within 4 weeks of surgery. The data were retrospectively and consecutively collected and evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses to identify risk factors of liver failure. The patients included 58 males (62.37%) and 35 females (37.63%), and the mean age was 58.43±11.85 years. The main cause was hepatitis B virus (HBV), which was found in 50.54% of patient. The overall surgical success rate was 83.87% (78/93). Of 15 treatment-failure patients, 9 (9.68%) died in hospital. Four patients died of liver failure, accounting for 44.44% of postoperative all-cause deaths. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that only hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) was an independent risk factor for post-TIPS morbidity [relative risk (RR) 1.156; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.041 to 1.283; P=0.006]. In addition, HVPG was an independent risk factor for hospital mortality within 4 weeks (RR 1.133; 95% CI: 1.021 to 0.539; P=0.016). Post-TIPS liver failure is a serious complication in patients with cirrhosis. Pre-TIPS HVPG level may be used as a predictor of potential short-term postoperative adverse events.

S1181 Beta-Blockers Protective of Decompensated Congestive Heart Failure (dCHF) in Patients With Cirrhosis After Transjugular Intrahepatic Shunt (TIPSS)

S1181 Beta-Blockers Protective of Decompensated Congestive Heart Failure (dCHF) in Patients With Cirrhosis After Transjugular Intrahepatic Shunt (TIPSS)

Comparison of survival prediction values of different scoring models for patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portal shunt: A multicenter retrospective study

AbstractAimThe aim of this study is to compare the prognostic values of the Child–Pugh, integrated model for end‐stage liver disease (iMELD), albumin–bilirubin (ALBI), and Freiburg index of postsurvival (FIPS) scores in patients undergoing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).MethodsWe conducted a multicenter retrospective study including patients who underwent TIPS by collecting data from several hospitals in southwest China between January 2014 and February 2021. We compared the performance of different scoring models for survival prediction in these patients. The performance of each scoring model was assessed via area under the receiver‐operating characteristic (AUROC) curve analysis.ResultsThe study included 378 TIPS patients (268 men, 110 women; median age 52 [interquartile range, 45–60] years). Age; cirrhosis etiology; ascites severity; albumin levels; international normalized ratio; total bilirubin levels; sodium levels; and Child–Pugh, iMELD, ALBI, and FIPS scores were significant prognostic factors in cirrhotic patients who underwent TIPS. The Child–Pugh, iMELD, ALBI, and FIPS scores were all independent predictors of survival in TIPS patients. Survival analysis showed that all scoring models effectively stratified the prognostic risk of these patients. The Child–Pugh score was the best predictor of postoperative survival, followed by the ALBI and FIPS scores. The iMELD score was the worst predictor. The Child–Pugh, iMELD, ALBI, and FIPS scores predicted the 1‐year postoperative survival, with AUROC values of 0.832, 0.677, 0.761, and 0.745, respectively, and the 3‐year postoperative survival, with AUROC values of 0.710, 0.668, 0.721, and 0.658, respectively. The calibration curve showed that the Child–Pugh, ALBI, and FIPS models performed well in predicting 1‐ and 3‐year survival, whereas the iMELD model was a poor predictor.ConclusionsThe four scoring models can predict survival in cirrhotic patients after TIPS and can effectively stratify prognostic risk. The Child–Pugh score may be more suitable for predicting survival after TIPS in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Echo Rounds: Intraoperative Doppler Assessment of Transjugular Intrahepatic Shunt Flow Using Transesophageal Echocardiography.

The use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to assess venous congestion of the liver due to right heart dysfunction is well established, predominately through the Doppler interrogation of the hepatic and portal venous waveforms. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPSs) are artificial intraparenchymal tracts through the liver that are placed to decompress the portal circulation in the setting of portal hypertension, most commonly due to cirrhosis. Herein, we describe the Doppler interrogation of a TIPS using intraoperative TEE, and how changes in the transmitted portal venous waveform were used to assess the severity of tricuspid regurgitation and inform management. (A&A Practice. 2022;16:e01607.).

Final safety and efficacy results from a 106 real-world patients registry with an ascites-mobilizing pump.

Background and aimsPatients with cirrhotic refractory ascites ineligible for transjugular intrahepatic shunt (TIPSS) have limited treatment options apart from repeated large volume paracentesis. The alfapump® is an implantable device mobilizing ascites from the peritoneal cavity to the bladder, from where it can be excreted. The aim of this observational cohort study was to prospectively investigate safety and efficacy of the device in a real‐world cohort with cirrhotic refractory ascites and contraindications for TIPSS.MethodsA total of 106 patients received an implant at 12 European centres and were followed up for up to 24 months. Complications, device deficiencies, frequency of paracentesis, clinical status and survival were recorded prospectively.ResultsApproximately half of the patients died on‐study, about a quarter was withdrawn because of serious adverse events leading to explant, a sixth were withdrawn because of liver transplant or recovery, and nine completed follow‐up. The most frequent causes of on‐study death and complication‐related explant were progression of liver disease and infection. The device reduced the requirement for large‐volume paracentesis significantly, with more than half of patients not having required any post‐implant. Survival benefits were not observed. Device‐related reinterventions were predominantly caused by device deficiencies. A post‐hoc comparison of the first 50 versus the last 50 patients enrolled revealed a decreased reintervention rate in the latter, mainly related to peritoneal catheter modifications.ConclusionsThe device reduced paracentesis frequency in a real‐world setting. Technical complications were successfully decreased by optimization of management and device modification (NCT01532427).

Portal vein reconstruction- transjugular intrahepatic shunt (PVR-TIPS) via collaterals with chronic portal vein thrombosis, a novel technique: a case series

Background and Aim: Portal Vein thrombosis is a potential cause of portal hypertension and complications like portal cavernoma and biliopathy. Portal Vein thrombosis results in technical difficulty during TIPS, in such case transplenic portal vein reconstruction is a viable option. In patients with extensive involvement of portal vein along with splenic vein or minimal splenic vein accessibility, Portal Vein reconstruction via collaterals is a noble but effective option.

S678 The Impact of Weekend Effects on Esophageal Variceal Bleeding; A Retrospective Cohort Study Comparing: Mortality, Total Charges, and Length of Stay

Introduction: Esophageal variceal bleeding is an acute illness that can present at any day of the week; however, hospitals are typically staffed differently during weekdays as compared to weekends. Consequently, patients who present with acute medical illnesses during the weekend can potentially receive delays in management due to resource limitations, which can lead to extended hospitalizations, higher costs, and possibly higher mortality. The primary aim of our study is to determine whether outcomes related to hospital mortality, length of stay, and direct charges for patients presenting with esophageal variceal bleeding differ between those admitted during the week or on weekends. Methods: A retrospective analysis utilizing the de-identified data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to analyze patients hospitalized with esophageal variceal bleeding from 2004 through 2014. Hospital encounters for esophageal variceal bleeding were identified using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) diagnostic codes; codes ‘4560’, ‘45620’, and ‘45621’. We extracted baseline demographic data including age, race, income, insurance status, and mortality rate. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test, and continuous variables were compared using the t-test. P-values less than 0.05 indicated a statistically significant association. The odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were also calculated. Data analysis was done using STATA Statistical Software, Release 16 (College Station, TX: StataCorp LLC). Results: A total of 207,023 admissions for esophageal variceal bleeding were identified, of which 23.4% occurred during the weekend. Mortality was higher for patients admitted during the weekend as compared to those admitted during the weekdays (7.5% vs. 7.0%, p < 0.01), despite a higher proportion of patients admitted during the weekend undergoing upper endoscopy as compared to the weekdays (24.4% vs. 23.9%, p=0.02). Trans-jugular intrahepatic shunt utilization was higher during the week than the weekend (2.9% vs. 2.6%, p< 0.01). Length of stay is shorter on weekends (6.15 vs. 6.29 days). Conclusion: Weekend admission for esophageal variceal bleeding is associated with an increased risk of death, slightly shorter lengths of stay, and marginally fewer in-patient charges. Discrepancies in the use and timing of endoscopy did not account for these differences.

Hepatic Infarction after Transjugular Intrahepatic Shunt Creation

A 23-year-old woman with recent onset of ascites was diagnosed with Budd-Chiari syndrome using ultrasonography, with a patent inferior vena cava but occlusion of all major hepatic veins. She underwent transjugular intrahepatic shunt creation and afterwards developed hypotension and abdominal distension. Computed tomography (CT) showed intraperitoneal hemorrhage and infarction of the caudate lobe (Fig 1–3). The left hepatic artery supplying the Spiegel lobe was attenuated, and no arterial supply to the caudate process was visualized.

Safety and efficacy of EUS-guided coil and glue injection for the primary prophylaxis of gastric variceal hemorrhage

Gastric variceal bleeding (GVB) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. EUS-guided coil and cyanoacrylate (CYA) injection (EUS-CCI) has been shown to be an effective therapy in acute bleeding and secondary prophylaxis; however, there is a paucity of data on primary prophylaxis. In this single-center observational study, adult patients with high-risk gastric varices (GV; size >10mm or cherry red spot) without prior bleeding underwent EUS-CCI for the primary prophylaxis of GVB between June 2009 and December 2019. The primary outcome was post-treatment GVB. Eighty patients with a mean variceal size of 22.5 ± 9.4mm and a mean length of follow-up of 3.0 ± 2.4 years were included. The etiology of portal hypertension was cirrhosis in 71 patients (88.7%) and noncirrhotic in 9 (11.3). The mean model for end-stage liver disease score was 12.3 ± 3.7 in patients with cirrhosis. The mean coil number was 1.5 (range, 1-3) and mean glue volume injected 2 mL (range, .5-5). Technical success was achieved in 100%, 96.7% had EUS confirmation of GV obliteration, and 67.7% were obliterated with 1 treatment session. Post-treatment GVB occurred in 2 patients (2.5%) and adverse events in 4 (4.9%). No deaths related to GVB occurred, and emergent transjugular intrahepatic shunts were not needed during the follow-up period. In patients with high-risk GV, EUS-CCI for primary prophylaxis is highly effective at preventing GVB with a low rate of adverse events. Primary prophylaxis of high-risk GV with coil and CYA glue injection should be considered in centers with the appropriate expertise.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels are not associated with severity of liver disease and are inversely related to cholesterol in a cohort of thirty eight patients with liver cirrhosis

BackgroundProprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is of particular importance in cholesterol metabolism with high levels contributing to hypercholesterolemia. Cholesterol and sphingolipids are low in patients with liver cirrhosis. Purpose of this study was to find associations of plasma PCSK9 with circulating cholesterol and sphingolipid species and measures of liver disease severity in patients with liver cirrhosis.MethodsPCSK9 protein levels were determined by ELISA in systemic vein (SVP), hepatic vein (HVP) and portal vein plasma of patients with mostly alcoholic liver cirrhosis. PCSK9 and LDL-receptor protein expression were analysed in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic liver tissues.ResultsSerum PCSK9 was reduced in patients with liver cirrhosis in comparison to non-cirrhotic patients. In liver cirrhosis, plasma PCSK9 was not correlated with Child-Pugh score, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, bilirubin or aminotransferases. A negative association of SVP PCSK9 with albumin existed. PCSK9 protein in the liver did not change with fibrosis stage and was even positively correlated with LDL-receptor protein levels. Ascites volume and variceal size were not related to PCSK9 levels. Along the same line, transjugular intrahepatic shunt to lower portal pressure did not affect PCSK9 concentrations in the three blood compartments. Serum cholesterol, sphingomyelin and ceramide levels did not correlate with PCSK9. Stratifying patients by high versus low PCSK9 levels using the median as cut-off, several cholesteryl ester species were even low in the subgroup with high PCSK9 levels. A few sphingomyelin species were also reduced in the patients with PCSK9 levels above the median. PCSK9 is highly expressed in the liver but systemic, portal and hepatic vein levels were similar. PCSK9 was not correlated with the inflammatory proteins C-reactive protein, IL-6, galectin-3, resistin or pentraxin 3. Of note, HVP PCSK9 was positively associated with HVP chemerin and negatively with HVP adiponectin levels.ConclusionsIn the cohort of patients with liver cirrhosis mostly secondary to alcohol consumption high PCSK9 was associated with low levels of certain cholesteryl ester and sphingomyelin species. Positive correlations of PCSK9 and LDL-receptor protein in the liver of patients with chronic liver injury are consistent with these findings.

Minimally invasive surgical interventions in the treatment and prevention of bleeding from varicose veins of the esophagus and stomach

Treatment and prevention of complications of portal hypertension today is a complex and unsolved problem of hepatosurgery. Mortality from esophageal-gastric bleeding (ESH) of portal genesis ranges from 22 to 100%. The aim of the study is to improve the results of the treatment and prevention of digestive haemorrhage in portal hypertension by optimize using of miniinvasive interventions. A retrospective analysis of the treatment results of 128 patients with cirrhosis of the liver, in which the predominant complication of portal hypertension resulted in bleeding from varicose veins of the esophagus and the stomach, and a high risk of its occurrence or recidivism have been carried out. Gastric laparoscopic devascularization with endoscopic ligation reduces the lethality from esophageal-gastric bleeding, compared to only ligation, for six months after the operation by 21.8% (2 = 2.61; p = 0.106), 25.5% within a year (2 = 2.75; p = 0.091), for two years after the 25.4% operation (2 = 1.47; p = 0.225), for three years 25.5% (2 = 0.43; p = 0.051). There is a statistically reliable lack of differences in the groups of patients after the traditional and endovideoxyric operations of the portocal bypass in terms of the reduction of the degree of VDEV (84.3 and 86.7%), which indicates the equivalent effect of the performed operations. A comparative study of selective portocaval anastomoses and TIPS found no reliable difference in the frequency of recurrent bleeding. Post-shunt encephalopathy, thrombosis, and stenosis of the shunt were more common in the transjugular intrahepatic portosistame shunt (p 0.001), and survival in the group of surgical anastomosis was superior to that of TIPS. The above data indicate that the use of endoscopic, endovascular, endovision and endovision surgery, extracorporeal miniinvasive techniques is an integral part of the complex surgical treatment of patients with portal hypertension. Miniinvasive surgical treatments are required depending on the current clinical situation and the degree of liver-cell failure. Flexible and selective tactics make it possible to improve the results of treatment of patients with cirrhosis of the liver, complicated by portal hypertension (6 figs, bibliography: 14 refs).