Vibration Controlled Transient Elastography Based Parameters Predicts Clinical Outcomes in Liver Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) is used in clinical practice to risk stratify liver transplant (LT) recipients, however, there is currently little data demonstrating the relationship between VCTE and clinical outcomes. METHODS: 362 adult LT recipients with successful VCTE examination between 2015 and 2022 were included. Presence of advanced fibrosis was defined as liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥10.5kPa and hepatic steatosis as controlled attenuation parameter (CAP)≥ 270 dB/m. The outcomes of interest included all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), and graft cirrhosis using cumulative incidence analysis that accounted for the competing risks of these outcomes. RESULTS: The LSM was elevated in 64 (18%) and CAP in 163 (45%) of LT recipients. The baseline LSM values were similar in patients with elevated vs. normal CAP values. After a median follow up of 65 (IQR 20, 140) months from LT to baseline VCTE, 66 (18%) of patients died, 12 (3%) developed graft cirrhosis, and 18 (5%) experienced an MI. Baseline high LSM was independently associated with all-cause mortality (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.11, 3.50, p=0.02) and new onset cirrhosis (HR 6.74, 95% CI 2.08, 21.79, p<0.01). A higher CAP value was significantly and independently associated with increased risk of experiencing a MI over study follow up with HR 4.14 [95% CI 1.29, 13.27, p=0.017]. CONCLUSIONS: The VCTE based parameters are associated with clinical outcomes and offer the potential to be incorporated into clinical risk stratification strategies to improve outcomes among LT recipients.

Burden of Portal Hypertension Complications Is Greater in Liver Transplant Wait-Listed Registrants with End-Stage Liver Disease and Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) awaiting liver transplantation (LT) remains poorly defined. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between T2DM and clinical outcomes among patients with LT waitlist registrants. We hypothesize that the presence of T2DM will be associated with worse clinical outcomes. METHODS: 593 patients adult (age 18 years or older) who were registered for LT between 1/2010 and 1/2017 were included in this retrospective analysis. The impact of T2DM on liver-associated clinical events (LACE), survival, hospitalizations, need for renal replacement therapy, and likelihood of receiving LT were evaluated over a 12-month period. LACE was defined as variceal hemorrhage, hepatic encephalopathy, and ascites. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were used to determine the association between T2DM and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The baseline prevalence of T2DM was 32% (n = 191) and patients with T2DM were more likely to have esophageal varices (61% vs. 47%, p = 0.002) and history of variceal hemorrhage (23% vs. 16%, p = 0.03). The presence of T2DM was associated with increased risk of incident ascites (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.11, 3.28, p = 0.019). Patients with T2DM were more likely to require hospitalizations (56% vs. 49%, p = 0.06), hospitalized with portal hypertension-related complications (22% vs. 14%; p = 0.026), and require renal replacement therapy during their hospitalization. Patients with T2DM were less likely to receive a LT (37% vs. 45%; p = 0.03). Regarding MELD labs, patients with T2DM had significantly lower bilirubin at each follow-up; however, no differences in INR and creatinine were noted. CONCLUSION: Patients with T2DM are at increased risk of clinical outcomes. This risk is not captured in MELD score, which may potentially negatively affect their likelihood of receiving LT.

Emerging therapies for MASLD and their impact on plasma lipids.

Metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects 1 out of every 3 individuals in the adult population and the disease prevalence is predicted to increase worldwide. Patients with MASLD are also burdened by cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of mortality in this population. Complex metabolic derangements such as insulin resistance and atherogenic dyslipidemia affect patients with MASLD. In patients with MASLD, treatment such as pharmacotherapy may be best directed towards improving the adverse concomitant metabolic disorders associated with MASLD, particularly the ones that may contribute to MASLD. Herein, we discuss conventional therapies that target cardiometabolic risk factors which have the potential to improve hepatic injury, and summarize emerging therapies that target hepatic receptors, fibrosis, and fatty acid oxidation in patients with MASLD. Given the relationship between hepatic injury which leads to MASLD, insulin resistance, and ultimately atherogenic dyslipidemia our review uniquely delves into the effects of conventional and emerging therapies for MASLD on plasma lipid parameters.

Liver and cardiovascular disease outcomes in metabolic syndrome and diabetic populations: Bi-directional opportunities to multiply preventive strategies.

The incidence and prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are rising globally. MetS and T2DM are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which is partly related to liver and cardiovascular disease. Insulin resistance is central to MetS and T2DM pathophysiology, and drives ectopic fat deposition in the liver, also known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). MetS and T2DM are not only risk factors for developing MASLD but are also independently associated with disease progression to steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In addition to the risk of liver disease, MetS and T2DM are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF). Importantly, there is a bidirectional relationship between liver and CVD due to shared disease pathophysiology in patients with MetS and T2DM. In this review, we have described studies exploring the relationship of MetS and T2DM with MASLD and CVD, independently. Following this we discuss studies evaluating the interplay between liver and cardiovascular risk as well as pragmatic risk mitigation strategies in this patient population.

Analysis of adverse events with lumen apposing metal stents for drainage of pancreatic fluid collections.

Background and study aims Innovations in endoscopic management of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) using lumen apposing metal stents (LAMS) have rendered it a preferred approach for drainage of PFCs. These advances have not come without concern for adverse events (AEs). We present our experience with LAMS for drainage of PFCs and analyze factors that contribute to LAMS-related AEs. Patients and methods From November 2015 to October 2021, a retrospective analysis was performed of patients undergoing endoscopic management of PFCs using LAMS. All AEs were classified as either early (<48 hours) or late (>48 hours). Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using logistic regression to assess the relationship between independent variables and AEs. Results A total of 119 patients with symptomatic PFCs underwent endoscopic drainage with LAMS. There were 16 AEs (12.4%). These included systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (n=2), stent occlusion (n=5), bleeding (n=7), and stent migration (n=2). Univariate analysis of risk of AEs showed that no variables approached statistical significance. Of the seven patients who developed bleeding, five had pseudoaneurysms following LAMS placement and underwent angioembolization by an interventional radiologist. The average time to bleeding was 9.3 days (standard deviation 7.3) with all bleeding events occurring within 3 weeks. In a multivariate model, pseudocysts and presence of paracolic gutter extension were associated with an increased risk of bleeding. Conclusions Endoscopists should be aware of the risk factors for LAMS-related bleeding and tailor their drainage strategy, including utilization of plastic stents for drainage of pseudocysts and adherence to a strict imaging interval and follow-up protocol.

Endoscopic management of hemorrhagic pancreatic fluid collections: A propensity-matched analysis.

Objectives: Hemorrhagic pancreatic fluid collections (hPFC) are a complication of pancreatitis with an unknown influence on prognosis. Advancements in endoscopic management of PFC have improved results over their surgical and percutaneous alternatives. We performed a propensity-matched analysis comparing clinical outcomes in hemorrhagic and non-hemorrhagic PFC (nhPFC). Methods: From November 2015 to November 2021, a retrospective comparative cohort analysis was performed comparing clinical outcomes for patients with hPFC and nhPFC managed with lumen-apposing metal stents. Propensity score matching was used to balance the two subgroups. Wilcoxon two-sample tests were used to compare continuous variables and Fisher's exact test was used to compare categorical variables. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival. Results: Fifteen patients with hPFC were matched with 30 nhPFC patients. Technical and clinical success was similar in both groups. The median length of hospitalization was 6 days in the hPFC group and 3 days in the nhPFC group (p = 0.23); however, more hPFC patients required intensive care unit admission post-procedure (33.3% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.26). Patients with hPFC were more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days (33.3% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.032). Mortality at 3 months (13% vs 3%, p = 0.25) and 6 months (27% vs. 7%, p = 0.09) was higher in the hPFC cohort. The 1-year survival estimate was 73.3% (standard error = 11.4) in the hPFC group and 88.9% (6.1) in the nhPFC group (p = 0.16). Conclusions: Patients with hPFC are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days and have worse clinical outcomes.