Comparison of different prognostic scores for patients with cirrhosis hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Viral infections have been described to increase the risk of decompensation in patients with cirrhosis. We aimed to determine the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on outcome of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and to compare the performance of different prognostic models for predicting mortality. PATIENTS: We performed a prospective cohort study including 2211 hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from April 15, 2020 through October 1, 2020 in 38 Hospitals from 11 Latin American countries. We registered clinical and laboratory parameters of patients with and without cirrhosis. All patients were followed until discharge or death. We evaluated the prognostic performance of different scoring systems to predict mortality in patients with cirrhosis using ROC curves. RESULTS: Overall, 4.6% (CI 3.7-5.6) subjects had cirrhosis (n = 96). Baseline Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class was assessed: CTP-A (23%), CTP-B (45%) and CTP-C (32%); median MELD-Na score was 19 (IQR 14-25). Mortality was 47% in patients with cirrhosis and 16% in patients without cirrhosis (P < .0001). Cirrhosis was independently associated with death [OR 3.1 (CI 1.9-4.8); P < .0001], adjusted by age, gender, and body mass index >30. The areas under the ROC curves for performance evaluation in predicting 28-days mortality for Chronic Liver Failure Consortium (CLIF-C), North American Consortium for the Study of End-Stage Liver Disease (NACSELD), CTP score and MELD-Na were 0.85, 0.75, 0.69, 0.67; respectively (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with elevated mortality in patients with cirrhosis. CLIF-C had better performance in predicting mortality than NACSELD, CTP and MELD-Na in patients with cirrhosis and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinicaltrials.gov:NCT04358380.

A Latin American survey on demographic aspects of hospitalized, decompensated cirrhotic patients and the resources for their management.

INTRODUCTION & OBJECTIVES: Liver cirrhosis is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Adequate diagnosis and treatment of decompensating events requires of both medical skills and updated technical resources. The objectives of this study were to search the demographic profile of hospitalized cirrhotic patients in a group of Latin American hospitals and the availability of expertise/facilities for the diagnosis and therapy of decompensation episodes. METHODS: A cross sectional, multicenter survey of hospitalized cirrhotic patients. RESULTS: 377 patients, (62% males; 58±11 years) (BMI>25, 57%; diabetes 32%) were hospitalized at 65 centers (63 urbans; 57 academically affiliated) in 13 countries on the survey date. Main admission causes were ascites, gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis/other infections. Most prevalent etiologies were alcohol-related (AR) (40%); non-alcoholic-steatohepatitis (NASH) (23%), hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) (7%) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (6%). The most frequent concurrent etiologies were AR+NASH. Expertise and resources in every analyzed issue were highly available among participating centers, mostly accomplishing valid guidelines. However, availability of these facilities was significantly higher at institutions located in areas with population>500,000 (n=45) and in those having a higher complexity level (Gastrointestinal, Liver and Internal Medicine Departments at the same hospital (n=22). CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiological etiologic profile in hospitalized, decompensated cirrhotic patients in Latin America is similar to main contemporary emergent agents worldwide. Medical and technical resources are highly available, mostly at great population urban areas and high complexity medical centers. Main diagnostic and therapeutic approaches accomplish current guidelines recommendations.

[Efficacy and safety of the endoscopic management of Zenker diverticulum with IT-Knife 2 device]. / Uso seguro y eficaz del IT-Knife-2 en el manejo endoscópico del divertículo de Zenker (DZ).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the endoscopic management of Zenker Diverticulum with IT-Knife 2 device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: prospective and multicenter study (Edgardo Rebagliati Martins National Hospital and Golf Clinic). We included all patients with sintomatic Zenker Diverticulum that were treated with endoscopic cricopharyngeal miotomy from september 2013 until august 2016. TECHNIQUE: the diverticulum septum was faced with a cap, and then it was cut by the IT-Knife 2 (ENDOCUT Q, effect 3-2-5) until its baseline. Disphagia score was compared before and 1 and 3 months after the procedure. RESULTS: 20 patients were included (11 men; average age: 71 years). The median size of Zenker Diverticulum was 40.5 mm. The median duration of the cricopharyngeal miotomy was 13.75 minutes. Clinical success was 100%. There was a significative decrease (p<0.001) in the disphagia score from 2+/-0.86 before the procedure to 0.05+/-0.22 one month after it. Recurrence after 3 months was 15% and it was completely solved after a second endoscopic treatment. Niether perforation nor bleeding was reported. Two patients had pneumonia. CONCLUSION: the endoscopic management of Zenker Diverticulum with IT-Knife 2 is highly effective, safe and less complex than previous technique experience.

Uso seguro y eficaz del IT-Knife-2 en el manejo endoscópico del divertículo de Zenker (DZ) / Efficacy and safety of the endoscopic management of Zenker diverticulum with IT-Knife 2 device

Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia y seguridad del manejo endoscópico del DZ con IT-knife 2. Materiales y métodos: Estudio prospectivo, multicéntrico (Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins y la Clínica El Golf). Se incluyeron todos los pacientes con DZ sintomáticos desde setiembre 2013 a agosto 2016, los cuales fueron sometidos a miotomía cricofaringea endoscópica. Técnica: se afrontó el septo del DZ con un cap y luego se seccionó con el IT-Knife 2 (ENDOCUT Q Efecto 3-2-5) hasta su base. Se comparó la escala de disfagia antes y después del procedimiento, al 1er mes y luego de los 3 meses. Resultados: Se incluyeron 20 pacientes (11 varones; edad promedio: 71 años). El tamaño promedio del DZ fue de 40,5 mm. El tiempo promedio de la miotomía cricofaringea fue de 13,75 minutos. El éxito clínico fue del 100%, presentando un descenso estadísticamente significativo (p<0,001) en el score de disfagia de 2+/-0,86 pre-tratamiento a 0,05+/-0,22 al primer mes post- tratamiento. La recurrencia clínica a partir del tercer mes fue de 15%, resolviendo por completo con un segundo tratamiento endoscópico. No se presentó ningún caso de perforación ni sangrado. Dos pacientes cursaron con neumonía. Conclusión: El tratamiento endoscópico del DZ mediante el uso del IT-knife 2 es altamente eficaz y seguro, y de menor complejidad que la experiencia previa

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the endoscopic management of Zenker Diverticulum with IT-Knife 2 device. Materials and methods: prospective and multicenter study (Edgardo Rebagliati Martins National Hospital and Golf Clinic). We included all patients with sintomatic Zenker Diverticulum that were treated with endoscopic cricopharyngeal miotomy from september 2013 until august 2016. Technique: the diverticulum septum was faced with a cap, and then it was cut by the IT-Knife 2 (ENDOCUT Q, effect 3-2-5) until its baseline. Disphagia score was compared before and 1 and 3 months after the procedure. Results: 20 patients were included (11 men; average age: 71 years). The median size of Zenker Diverticulum was 40.5 mm. The median duration of the cricopharyngeal miotomy was 13.75 minutes. Clinical success was 100%. There was a significative decrease (p<0.001) in the disphagia score from 2+/-0.86 before the procedure to 0.05+/-0.22 one month after it. Recurrence after 3 months was 15% and it was completely solved after a second endoscopic treatment. Niether perforation nor bleeding was reported. Two patients had pneumonia. Conclusion: the endoscopic management of Zenker Diverticulum with IT-Knife 2 is highly effective, safe and less complex than previous technique experience