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La trombosis de la vena porta (TVP) en pacientes con o sin cirrosis hepática (CH) se define como una obstrucción de la vena porta debido a la formación de un trombo que puede extenderse a las venas mesentéricas superiores y esplénica. Esta es una complicación común de la enfermedad hepática avanzada. Se creía que la TVP se producía predominantemente debido al potencial protrombótico del paciente con CH, ya que se observaba una mayor incidencia de TVP en CH con una puntuación MELD y Child-Pugh más altas, con una prevalencia informada del 10 % al 25%.
Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with or without hepatic cirrhosis (CH) is defined as an obstruction of the portal vein due to the formation of a thrombus that may extend to the superior mesenteric and splenic veins. This is a common complication of advanced liver disease. It was believed that PVT predominantly occurred due to the prothrombotic potential of the patient with CH, as a higher incidence of PVT was observed in CH with higher MELD and Child-Pugh scores, with a reported prevalence of 10% to 25%.
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RESUMEN Las alteraciones en los recuentos celulares sanguíneos representan los hallazgos clínicos más notorios y recurrentes en pacientes que padecen enfermedad hepática, tanto aguda como crónica. Estos cambios constituyen un marcador importante de la disfunción hepática y, a menudo, desempeñan un papel crucial en la evaluación y manejo de estos pacientes. En conjunto con el alargamiento de las pruebas de coagulación, la trombocitopenia es la irregularidad más prevalente en estos individuos. Esta condición, así como las leucopenias, se le atribuye en gran medida al hiperesplenismo, una alteración en la que el bazo retiene y destruye las células sanguíneas, incluidas las plaquetas. Sin embargo, cuando el conteo plaquetario desciende por debajo de 10 x 103/µl, es fundamental considerar otras causas, como factores autoinmunitarios que pueden estar contribuyendo con la trombocitopenia. La anemia, definida como una disminución en el número de glóbulos rojos o en los niveles de hemoglobina, es otra característica constante que acompaña a la enfermedad hepática. Aunque en la mayoría de los casos la anemia es macrocítica, en algunas situaciones puede ser secundaria a eventos hemolíticos, como lo observado en el síndrome de Zieve. Esta diversidad en las manifestaciones de la anemia en pacientes hepáticos subraya la complejidad de las interacciones entre el hígado y los componentes sanguíneos. A pesar de los avances en la comprensión de las causas subyacentes de estas citopenias, las opciones del tratamiento siguen siendo limitadas. Generalmente, las opciones terapéuticas se enfocan en la administración de transfusiones de hemocomponentes para compensar las deficiencias en los recuentos celulares o en el uso de análogos de trombopoyetina (TPO) para estimular temporalmente la producción de las plaquetas en la medula ósea. No obstante, estos tratamientos tienden a abordar los síntomas más que las causas fundamentales de las alteraciones hematológicas en la enfermedad hepática. La persistencia y el empeoramiento de estas alteraciones pueden servir como indicadores tempranos de la progresión de la disfunción hepática. La relación intrincada entre el hígado y la homeostasis hematológica continúa siendo objeto de investigación, la compresión más profunda de estos mecanismos podría abrir potencialmente la puerta hacia enfoques terapéuticos más específicos y efectivos para abordar las citopenias en el contexto de la enfermedad hepática.
ABSTRACT Alterations in blood cell counts are the most prominent and recurrent clinical findings among patients suffering from both acute and chronic liver disease. These changes are an important marker of liver failure and often play a key role in the evaluation and management of these patients. Together with the prolongation of coagulation tests, thrombocytopenia is the most common disorder among these individuals. This condition, as well as leukopenia, is largely attributable to hypersplenism, a disorder in which the spleen retains and destroys blood cells, including platelets. However, when the platelet count drops below 10x103/µl, it is essential to consider other causes, such as autoimmune factors that may be contributing to the development of thrombocytopenia. Anemia, defined as a decrease in red blood cell count or hemoglobin levels, is another common characteristic of liver disease. Although in most cases macrocytic anemia occurs, in some situations it can be secondary to hemolytic events, as observed in Zieve's syndrome. This wide range of manifestations of anemia among liver patients highlights the complex interaction between liver and blood components. Despite advances in understanding the underlying causes of these cytopenias, treatment options remain limited. Therapeutic options generally focus on the transfusion of blood products to compensate for deficiencies in cell counts or on the use of thrombopoietin (TPO) analogues to temporarily stimulate platelet production in the bone marrow. However, these treatments tend to address the symptoms rather than the root causes of hematologic disorders in liver disease. The persistence and worsening of these disorders may serve as early indicators of the progression of liver failure. The complicated relationship between liver and hematological homeostasis remains the subject of research. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms could potentially open the door toward more targeted and effective therapeutic approaches to address cytopenias in the context of liver disease.
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La piel y sus anexos tienen amplia relación con todos los órganos y sistemas. Los cambios presentes en estos pueden ser el primer hallazgo en un paciente con enfermedad hepática, encontrándose hasta en el 20 % de los casos, por lo que las manifestaciones extrahepáticas adquieren importancia, y aunque muchas de estas no son específicas, algunos marcadores dermatológicos pueden ayudar al diagnóstico de la enfermedad y se pueden correlacionar con su severidad. El desarrollo de las lesiones cutáneas en los pacientes con cirrosis hepática se genera principalmente por hipertensión portal y exceso de estrógenos circulantes, por lo tanto, su tratamiento se basa en el manejo de la patología hepática subyacente. En el presente artículo se hace una revisión de la literatura y se describe un amplio espectro de manifestaciones dermatológicas asociadas a cirrosis hepática, con sus características y etiopatogénesis, siendo las más frecuentes la ictericia, el prurito, los nevus en araña, el eritema palmar, las venas en cabeza de Medusa, y los cambios de uñas y del vello, entre otras.
The skin and its annexes have a broad relationship with all organs and systems. Changes present in these can be the initial finding in a patient with liver disease, occurring in up to 20% of cases, therefore the extrahepatic manifestations become important, and although many of these are not specific, some dermatological markers can help in the diagnosis of the disease and may correlate with its severity. The development of cutaneous lesions in patients with liver cirrhosis is mainly generated by portal hypertension and excess of circulating estrogens, therefore their treatment is based on managing the underlying liver pathology. This article reviews the literature and describes a wide range of dermatological manifestations associated with liver cirrhosis, with their characteristics and etiopathogenesis, being the most frequent jaundice, pruritus, spider nevus, palmar erythema, caput Medusae veins, nail and hair changes, among others.
Subject(s)
HumansABSTRACT
Las enfermedades hepáticas presentan múltiples manifestaciones sistémicas, entre las cuales se destacan los hallazgos en piel, siendo los más comunes el prurito y la ictericia; así mismo, se pueden encontrar angiomas en araña, eritema palmar, xantomas, vasculitis y cambios en anexos. Este artículo tiene como objetivo describir los principales signos y síntomas cutáneos en las enfermedades hepáticas para brindar herramientas semiológicas al clínico en su práctica diaria
Liver disease present multiple systemic manifestations, among which skin findings stand out, being the most common pruritus and jaundice. Other findings can also be manifested like spider angiomas, palmar erythema, xanthomas, vasculitis and changes in skin appendages. The objective of this article is to describe the main skin signs and symptoms of liver diseases to provide semiological tools to the physician in his daily practice.
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HumansABSTRACT
En los últimos años, la trombosis de la vena porta entre los pacientes cirróticos se ha comportado como una entidad reconocida y cada vez más estudiada, no solo por su creciente incidencia, sino por la asociación con gravedad y mal pronóstico en cirrosis. Asimismo, se hacen objeto de estudio las terapias disponibles para el manejo tanto médico como quirúrgico de estos pacientes, lo que ha dado un papel importante a la derivación portosistémica transyugular intrahepática (TIPS). El uso de TIPS en esta población se posiciona como una alternativa de manejo aceptable, no solo por brindar mejoría en las complicaciones derivadas de la hipertensión portal, sino también por sus resultados prometedores en diferentes estudios sobre el flujo y la recanalización portal, y por su perfil de seguridad. Sin embargo, la eficacia, los efectos adversos a largo plazo y el pronóstico de dicha intervención en la compleja fisiopatología de la cirrosis deben continuar en estudio. El objetivo de este artículo es revisar los avances del uso de TIPS en el manejo de pacientes con cirrosis hepática y trombosis portal.
In recent years, portal vein thrombosis among cirrhotic patients has been a well-recognized and continuously studied entity, not only because of its increasing incidence but also because of its association with severity and poor prognosis in cirrhosis. Likewise, therapies available for both medical and surgical management in these patients are being studied, which has given an important role to the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). The use of TIPS in this population is positioned as an acceptable management alternative, not only because it provides improvement in complications derived from portal hypertension, but also because of its promising results in different studies on portal flow and recanalization upgrade, and for its safety. However, the efficacy, long-term adverse effects, and prognosis of this intervention in the complex pathophysiology of cirrhosis must continue to be studied. The objective of this article is to review the advances in the use of TIPS in the management of patients with liver cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis.
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La albúmina sérica humana es la proteína más abundante en el plasma, su estructura molecular le confiere estabilidad, pero también flexibilidad para ligar y transportar un amplio rango de moléculas. Su función oncótica es la propiedad más reconocida que la lleva a introducirse en la terapéutica médica como un expansor de volumen. Sin embargo, en los últimos años se le han adicionado funciones con carácter antioxidante, inmunomodulador y de estabilización endotelial, que hacen presumir que su impacto terapéutico está más allá de sus funciones volumétricas. En los últimos años, específicamente en la cirrosis y la falla hepática aguda sobre crónica, se ha tenido un cambio en el paradigma fisiológico, desde una perspectiva netamente hemodinámica hacia una perspectiva inflamatoria, en donde las funciones oncóticas y no oncóticas de la albúmina están alteradas y tienen un carácter pronóstico en estas entidades. Este conocimiento creciente, desde una perspectiva inflamatoria, hace que se fortalezca el uso terapéutico de la albúmina sérica humana desde las indicaciones tradicionales como prevención de la disfunción circulatoria posparacentesis, prevención y tratamiento de lesión renal aguda, hasta las discusiones para administración a largo plazo en pacientes cirróticos con ascitis.
Human serum albumin is the most abundant protein in plasma, with a molecular structure that provides stability while also allowing flexibility to bind and transport a wide range of molecules. Its oncotic function is the most recognized property, leading to its introduction in medical therapy as a volume expander. However, in recent years, additional functions with antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and endothelial stabilization properties have been identified, suggesting that its therapeutic impact extends beyond its volumetric functions. Specifically, in cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure, there has been a shift in the pathophysiological paradigm from a purely hemodynamic perspective to an inflammatory perspective, where both oncotic and non-oncotic functions of albumin are altered and have prognostic significance in these conditions. This growing understanding from an inflammatory perspective strengthens the therapeutic use of human serum albumin, not only for traditional indications such as the prevention of post-paracentesis circulatory disfunction, prevention and treatment of acute kidney injury, but also for discussions regarding long-term administration in cirrhotic patients with ascites.
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Introducción. En las últimas décadas se han desarrollado diferentes scores y modelos para predecir el pronóstico en pacientes con enfermedad hepática crónica avanzada. Los más reconocidos y utilizados son el sistema de estadificación de Child-Pugh (CP) y el score de MELD, pero estos carecen de herramientas para evaluar objetivamente otros factores pronósticos. Por este motivo, se ha incorporado el concepto de fragilidad a la hepatología clínica. El objetivo de este artículo es examinar la aplicabilidad del índice de fragilidad hepática (IFH) en pacientes con cirrosis evaluados para trasplante hepático en Uruguay. Metodología. Estudio observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo en el Servicio de Enfermedades Hepáticas del Hospital Central de las Fuerzas Armadas (HCFFAA) de enero de 2018 a diciembre de 2021. Resultados. Se evaluaron un total de 78 pacientes, excluyéndose 19 de estos, culminando con una muestra final de 59 pacientes. La edad media fue de 52 años, siendo el 66 % hombres. La principal etiología de la cirrosis fue la alcohólica, y la comorbilidad más frecuente fue el sobrepeso/obesidad (66 %). La media de IFH fue de 4,03 ± 0,45. El 90 % de los pacientes eran prefrágiles, el 10 % frágiles y ningún paciente fue clasificado como no frágil. El 76 % presentaba un estadio avanzado de la enfermedad al momento de la evaluación 42 % CP estadio B, 34 % CP C, 24 % CP A, con una media de MELD-Na de 17,8 ± 7,6. El 17 % tuvo complicaciones infecciosas. La mortalidad global (n=78) fue del 12 %, y la de los pacientes con IFH calculado fue del 22 %. Conclusiones. El cálculo del IFH es realizable en cirróticos como herramienta objetiva que brinda una mirada integral del paciente. A mayor severidad de la cirrosis, mayor es el IFH. Sin embargo, este índice no parece ser un predictor de la eventual realización del trasplante hepático, ni de muerte en lista de espera en nuestros pacientes.
Introduction. In recent decades, several scores and models have been proposed to predict prognosis in patients with advanced chronic liver disease. The most recognized and used are the Child-Pugh (CP) and the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores, but they lack tools to objectively evaluate other prognostic factors. For this reason, the concept of fragility has been incorporated into clinical hepatology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the applicability of the liver frailty index (LFI) in patients with cirrhosis evaluated for liver transplantation in Uruguay. Methodology. Observational, descriptive and retrospective study at the Hospital Central de las Fuerzas Armadas (HCFFAA) Liver Disease Service from January 2018 to December 2021. Results. A total of 78 patients were evaluated, 19 were excluded, culminating in a final sample of 59 patients. The mean age was 52 years, with 66% being men. The main etiology of cirrhosis was alcoholic and the most frequent comorbidity was overweight/obesity (66%). The mean LFI was 4.03 ± 0.45. 90% of patients were pre-fragile, 10% were fragile, and no patient was classified as non-fragile. 76% had an advanced stage of the disease at the time of evaluation: 42% CP stage B, 34% CP C, 24% CP A, with a mean MELD-Na of 17.8 ± 7.6. 17% had infectious complications. Overall mortality (n=78) was 12%, and that of patients with calculated LFI was 22%. Conclusions. The LFI can be calculated in cirrhotic patients, and it is an objective tool that provides a comprehensive view of the patient. LFI depends on the severity of the cirrhosis. However, this index is not a predictor of liver transplantation or death on the waiting list in our patients.
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Introducción. La hipertensión portal (HTP) se define como una elevación anormal de la presión venosa en el sistema portal que lleva al desarrollo de vías colaterales para desviar el flujo sanguíneo de la zona. Dentro de su etiología están las relacionadas con la cirrosis hepática y otras causas denominadas no cirróticas. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los principales hallazgos demográficos, clínicos y paraclínicos en un grupo de pacientes con HTP, y determinar el uso de ayudas invasivas y no invasivas, y su disponibilidad para el diagnóstico y seguimiento de los pacientes en los centros que no cuentan con laboratorio de hemodinamia hepática, reflejando la dinámica de múltiples escenarios en Colombia. Metodología. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, retrospectivo, en pacientes atendidos en una institución de tercer nivel del sur de Colombia, entre enero del año 2015 y diciembre del año 2020. Resultados. Se obtuvo una muestra de 61 pacientes en donde la mayoría de casos correspondían a hombres en la séptima década de la vida, procedentes del área urbana. La principal causa de consulta fue el sangrado digestivo (39,3 %), asociado a la presencia de telangiectasias (arañas vasculares) en el 37,2 %, seguido de circulación colateral (31,3 %) e ictericia (19,7 %). En la ecografía abdominal (realizada en el 57,4 % de los pacientes) predominaron la cirrosis (68 %) y la presencia de esplenomegalia (14,2 %), y en lospacientes con Doppler portal (realizado en el 16,4 %) se encontró hígado cirrótico (80 %) y dilatación portal (40 %). Con respecto a los hallazgos en la esofagogastroduodenoscopia predominó la presencia de várices esofágicas y gastritis crónica. Conclusión. El principal motivo de consulta fue el sangrado digestivo, en tanto que la cirrosis fue el antecedente y el hallazgo imagenológico más frecuente, seguido de las várices esofágicas. Se encontró que el uso de paraclínicos, ecografía abdominal, ecografía con Doppler portal y esofagogastroduodenoscopia fueron los más utilizados en el contexto clínico de los pacientes con el diagnóstico de HTP.
Introduction. Portal hypertension (PHT) is defined as an abnormal elevation of venous pressure in the portal system that leads to the development of collateral pathways to divert blood flow from the area. Within its etiology are those related to liver cirrhosis and other so-called non cirrhotic causes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the main demographic, clinical and paraclinical findings in a group of patients with PHT, and to determine the use of invasive and non-invasive aids, and their availability for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients in centers that do not have a hepatic hemodynamics laboratory, reflecting the dynamics of multiple scenarios in Colombia. Methodology. A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted in patients attended in a third level institution in Southern Colombia, between January 2015 and December 2020. Results. A sample of 61 patients was obtained where the majority of cases corresponded to men in the seventh decade of life, from the urban area. The main cause of consultation was digestive bleeding (39.3%), associated with the presence of telangiectasias (spider veins) in 37.2%, followed by collateral circulation (31.3%) and jaundice (19.7%). In abdominal ultrasound (performed in 57.4% of the patients), cirrhosis (68%) and the presence of splenomegaly (14.2%) predominated, and in patients with portal Doppler (performed in 16.4%), cirrhotic liver (80%) and portal dilatation (40%) were found. With respect to the findings in the esophagogastroduodenoscopy, esophageal varices and chronic gastritis were predominant. Conclusion. The main reason for consultation was gastrointestinal bleeding, while cirrhosis was the most frequent history and imaging finding, followed by esophageal varices. It was found that the use of paraclinics, abdominal ultrasound, ultrasound with portal Doppler and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were the most used in the clinical context of patients diagnosed with PHT.
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Introducción. La enfermedad hepática esteatósica asociada a disfunción metabólica (MASLD) se ha convertido en la enfermedad hepática crónica más frecuente en los países occidentales, causando un aumento en los costos y en la ocupación hospitalaria. La caracterización integral previa al trasplante hepático en pacientes con MASLD es una gran interrogante, especialmente en nuestro medio. El objetivo del presente estudio fue realizar la caracterización clínico-epidemiológica de pacientes trasplantados por cirrosis hepática (CH) descompensada o carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) asociado a MASLD. Metodología. Se desarrolló un estudio observacional retrospectivo, descriptivo, de corte transversal en el Servicio de Hepatología del Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe en Medellín, Colombia. Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 17 años, con diagnóstico de CH o de CHC asociado a MASLD que fueron trasplantados entre los años 2004 a 2017. Resultados. Se encontraron 84 pacientes que fueron trasplantados con esas características. La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 59±10,5 con una mayor proporción significativa de hombres sobre mujeres, llegando casi al 70 %. Con relación a las comorbilidades, se encontró que el sobrepeso/obesidad, la hipertensión arterial y la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 fueron un hallazgo en el 44,1 %, 33,3 % y 33,3 %, respectivamente. Por otro lado, el 14,5 %, el 33,7 % y el 51,8 % presentaron un Child-Pugh A, B y C, respectivamente. La media del puntaje MELD fue de 18,9±6,26. Con respecto a las complicaciones de la cirrosis, el 77,4 % de los pacientes presentó ascitis, el 61,9 % encefalopatía hepática, el 36,9 % hemorragia del tracto digestivo superior y el 29,8 % peritonitis bacteriana espontánea. Conclusión. Los resultados expuestos mostraron nuestra experiencia en trasplante hepático en pacientes con CH y CHC asociado a MASLD. Se debe realizar una evaluación multidisciplinaria antes y después del trasplante en estos pacientes, haciendo especial énfasis en el manejo de la disfunción metabólica y sus componentes, entre los que se destacan la obesidad y la diabetes mellitus.
Introduction. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the most frequent chronic liver disease in Western countries, causing increased costs and hospital occupancy. The comprehensive pre-transplant characterization in patients with MASLD is a major question, especially in our setting. The aim of the present study was to perform the clinical-epidemiological characterization of transplanted patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis (LC) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with MASLD. Methodology. A retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional observational study was carried out in the Hepatology Department of the Pablo Tobón Uribe Hospital in Medellin, Colombia. Patients over 17 years of age, with a diagnosis of LC or HCC associated with MASLD who were transplanted between 2004 and 2017 were included. Results. We found 84 patients who were transplanted with these characteristics. The mean age of the patients was 59±10.5 with a significantly higher proportion of men over women, reaching almost 70%. Regarding comorbidities, overweight/obesity, arterial hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus were found in 44.1%, 33.3%, and 33.3%, respectively. On the other hand, 14.5%, 33.7%, and 51.8% had Child-Pugh A, B, and C, respectively. The mean MELD score was 18.9±6.26. Regarding complications of cirrhosis, 77.4% of patients developed ascites, 61.9% hepatic encephalopathy, 36.9% upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage, and 29.8% spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Conclusion. The above results showed our experience of liver transplantation in patients with LC and HCC associated with MASLD. A multidisciplinary evaluation should be performed before and after transplantation in these patients, with special emphasis on the management of metabolic dysfunction and its components, including obesity and diabetes mellitus.
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Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver DiseaseABSTRACT
This Practice Guidance intends to coalesce best practice recommendations for the identification of portal hypertension (PH), for prevention of initial hepatic decompensation, for the management of acute variceal hemorrhage (AVH), and for reduction of the risk of recurrent variceal hemorrhage in chronic liver disease. The most significant changes in the current Guidance relate to recognition of the concept of compensated advanced chronic liver disease, codification of methodology to use noninvasive assessments to identify clinically significant PH (CSPH), and endorsement of a change in paradigm with the recommendation of early utilization of nonselective beta-blocker therapy when CSPH is identified. The updated guidance further explores potential future pharmacotherapy options for PH, clarifies the role of preemptive transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in AVH, discusses more recent data related to the management of cardiofundal varices, and addresses new topics such as portal hypertensive gastropathy and endoscopy prior to transesophageal echocardiography and antineoplastic therapy.
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Asia-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver published the guidelines on management of ascites in liver disease in May 2023, which introduces the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of ascites, hyponatremia, hepatic hydrothorax, and hepatorenal syndrome in patients with liver cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure. This article summarizes the main recommendations in the guidelines, so as to provide a reference for the treatment of ascites in patients with liver diseases in China.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of the composition of intestinal flora and the serum level of endotoxin in cirrhotic patients with malnutrition, and to provide new diagnosis and treatment ideas for improving the nutritional status of patients with liver cirrhosis. MethodsA total of 58 patients with liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized in Department of Gastroenterology, People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou, from March 2021 to November 2022 were enrolled as experimental group (LC group), and according to the Royal Free Hospital-Nutritional Prioritizing Tool, they were divided into low malnutrition risk group (LC-A group with 28 patients) and moderate/high malnutrition risk group (LC-B group with 30 patients); 25 individuals who underwent physical examination during the same period of time were enrolled as control group (HC group). Peripheral blood and feces samples were collected from all subjects. The limulus amebocyte lysate gel method was used to measure the concentration of endotoxin in peripheral blood, and high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were used to investigate the characteristics of intestinal flora. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups; a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test were used for further comparison between two groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Spearman test was used for correlation analysis. ResultsThere were significant differences between the three groups in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (H=7.054, P<0.05), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (H=9.644, P<0.05), albumin (Alb) (F=32.768, P<0.05), total bilirubin (TBil) (H=20.980, P<0.05), and serum endotoxin (F=108.672, P<0.05). There was a significant difference in Chao1 index between the three groups (F=5.110, P=0.008) and between the HC group and the LC-B group (P<0.05). Compared with the HC group, the LC-A group and the LC-B group had significant reductions in Chao1 index and Shannon index, and there was a significant difference in Chao1 index between the HC group and the LC-B group (P<0.05). At the phylum level, the intestinal flora in each group was mainly composed of Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteriota, accounting for more than 95% of all phyla, and there was a significant difference in the relative abundance of Firmicutes between the HC group and the LC-B group (P<0.05). Serum endotoxin was significantly negatively correlated with Ruminococcaceae (r=-0.420, P=0.007), and spirochete was significantly positively correlated with TBil (r=0.419, P=0.007) and was significantly negatively correlated with Alb (r=-0.492, P=0.001). ConclusionThere are unique changes in intestinal flora in cirrhotic patients with malnutrition, and differentially expressed flora are associated with endotoxemia. Improving intestinal microecology in liver cirrhosis may help to improve nutritional status.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic variceal embolization (PTVE) alone or in combination with partial splenic embolization (PSE) in the treatment of portal hypertensive hemorrhage in liver cirrhosis through a meta-analysis. MethodsThis study was conducted according to PRISMA guideline, with a PROSPERO registration number of CRD42023396690. Wanfang Med Online, CNKI, CBM, VIP Databases, PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched for articles on PTVE alone or in combination with PSE in the treatment of portal hypertensive hemorrhage in liver cirrhosis published up to December 23, 2022. The articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and related data were extracted. The RevMan 5.4.1 statistical analysis software was used to perform the meta-analysis. ResultsEight articles were finally included, with a total sample size of 592 cases, among which there were 316 cases in the PTVE+PSE group and 276 cases in the PTVE group. The meta-analysis showed that compared with the PTVE group, the PTVE+PSE group had significantly lower postoperative portal vein pressure (standardized mean difference [SMD]=-1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.33 to -1.16, P<0.05), postoperative diameter of the portal vein (SMD=-0.87, 95%CI: -1.64 to -0.10, P<0.05), postoperative rebleeding rate (odds ratio [OR]=0.17, 95%CI: 0.11 — 0.28, P<0.05), mortality rate (OR=0.13, 95%CI: 0.04 — 0.37, P<0.05), and incidence rate of postoperative portal hypertensive gastrointestinal disease (OR=0.17, 95%CI: 0.07 — 0.45, P<0.05], as well as a significantly higher postoperative platelet level (SMD=0.79, 95%CI: 0.52 — 1.06, P<0.05), while there were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence rates of postoperative ascites. ConclusionCompared with PTVE alone, PTVE combined with PSE can effectively reduce the rebleeding rate and mortality rate of portal hypertensive hemorrhage in liver cirrhosis, the incidence rate of portal hypertensive gastrointestinal disease, and portal vein pressure, and it can also shorten the diameter of the portal vein and increase platelet level. Therefore, it is an effective interventional method for the treatment of portal hypertension hemorrhage in liver cirrhosis.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) co-cultured with bone marrow-derived M2 macrophages (M2-BMDMs), named as BMSCM2, on a rat model of liver cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)/2-acetaminofluorene (2-AAF). MethodsRat BMDMs were isolated and polarized into M2 phenotype, and rat BMSCs were isolated and co-cultured with M2-BMDMs at the third generation to obtain BMSCM2. The rats were given subcutaneous injection of CCl4 for 6 weeks to establish a model of liver cirrhosis, and then they were randomly divided into model group (M group), BMSC group, and BMSCM2 group, with 6 rats in each group. A normal group (N group) with 6 rats was also established. Since week 7, the model rats were given 2-AAF by gavage in addition to the subcutaneous injection of CCl4. Samples were collected at the end of week 10 to observe liver function, liver histopathology, and hydroxyproline (Hyp) content in liver tissue, as well as changes in the markers for hepatic stellate cells, hepatic progenitor cells, cholangiocytes, and hepatocytes. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the N group, the M group had significant increases in the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P<0.01); compared with the M group, the BMSC and BMSCM2 groups had significant reductions in ALT and AST (P<0.01), and the BMSCM2 group had significantly better activities than the BMSC group (P<0.05). Compared with the N group, the M group had significant increases in Hyp content and the mRNA and protein expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the liver (P<0.01); compared with the M group, the BMSC and BMSCM2 groups had significant reductions in Hyp content and the expression of α-SMA (P<0.05), and the BMSCM2 group had a significantly lower level of α-SMA than the BMSC group (P<0.01). Compared with the N group, the M group had significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of the hepatic progenitor cell markers EpCam and Sox9 and the cholangiocyte markers CK7 and CK19 (P<0.01) and significant reductions in the expression levels of the hepatocyte markers HNF-4α and Alb (P<0.01); compared with the M group, the BMSC and BMSCM2 groups had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of EpCam, Sox9, CK7, and CK19 (P<0.05) and significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of HNF-4α and Alb (P<0.05), and compared with the BMSC group, the BMSCM2 group had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of EpCam and CK19 (P<0.05) and significant increase in the expression level of HNF-4α (P<0.05). ConclusionM2-BMDMs can enhance the therapeutic effect of BMSCs on CCl4/2-AAF-induced liver cirrhosis in rats, which provides new ideas for further improving the therapeutic effect of BMSCs on liver cirrhosis.
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Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is one of the common complications during the natural course of liver cirrhosis and has an important influence on the progression of liver cirrhosis. This article mainly summarizes the research advances in the risk factors for PVT. There are many risk factors for PVT, and Virchow’s triad, namely venous stasis, hypercoagulability, and vascular endothelial injury and systemic inflammation caused by surgery or trauma, are considered the main reasons for the development and progression of PVT. At present, more prospective studies are still needed to validate the predictive models for the risk of PVT that have certain application prospects in clinical practice. Cirrhotic patients with PVT tend to have a poor prognosis, and complete obstructive PVT is associated with increased mortality after liver transplantation. Recent studies have shown that prophylactic anticoagulant therapy is safe and effective in patients with liver cirrhosis and can thus help with the prevention and treatment of PVT.
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Hepatitis E virus infection is a common cause of acute viral hepatitis. In recent years, the incidence of hepatitis E has shown an increasing trend, which has gradually become an important cause of acute viral hepatitis worldwide. Age, sex, intensity of immunosuppression and socio-economic factors are all risk factors for hepatitis E virus infection. Liver transplant recipients require long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs for anti rejection treatment, prone to hepatitis E virus infection and at the risk of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis due to immunosuppression status. Therefore, special attention should be paid to liver transplant recipients in clinical practice. Meantime, related risk factors should be identified to assist diagnosis and take stricter preventive measures. According to literature review, the etiological characteristics of hepatitis E virus and the epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis E virus infection in liver transplant recipients were reviewed, aiming to properly monitor, treat and prevent hepatitis E virus infection in liver transplant recipients in clinical practice, improving the prognosis of liver transplant recipients.
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Objective To investigate the application value of quantitative parameters MRFDGmax and SUVmax in the stages of hepatitis,liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in rats by whole-body dynamic 18 F-FDG PET/CT Patlak imaging.Methods Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into four groups of six rats each,which were the normal group,hepatitis group,liver fibrosis group and cirrhosis group.According to the experimental grouping,rats in each group were induced by the CC14 oil solution complex method.Whole-body dynamic 18 F-FDG PET/CT patlak imaging was performed on each group of rats separately at the completion of induction.After the imaging was com-pleted,the MRFDGmax,SUVmax and CT values of the livers of each group were analyzed;subsequently,the serum of rats in each group was extracted for the detection of liver function indexes(AST,ALT and ALP),and HE staining was performed on the livers of rats in the normal,hepatitis and cirrhosis groups,and Masson staining was performed on those in the liver fibrosis group;the α-SMA expression in the liver tissues of each group was analyzed by immu-nohistochemical method.The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA,two independent samples t-test and Pearson correlation analysis.Results MRFDGmax,SUVmax values were statistically significant differences among normal,hep-atitis,liver fibrosis and cirrhosis groups(F=84.54,38.35,P<0.001).The difference in CT values between liver fibrosis and cirrhosis groups was not statistically significant(t=-0.407,P=0.693),and the difference was statistically significant when compared between the rest of the groups(F=112.25,P<0.001).Compared with the normal group,AST,ALT and ALP of the experimental group showed a staged increase,and the differences were statistically significant(F=93.32,64.63,145.03,P<0.001).HE staining showed that hepatocytes of the normal group were neatly arranged and structurally intact;a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated the hepa-titis group with steatosis;pseudo lobe formation was observed in the cirrhosis group.Masson staining of the liver fi-brosis group showed collagen fiber proliferation and thickening of the peritoneum.Immunohistochemistry test results showed that α-SMA expression increased in hepatitis group,liver fibrosis group and cirrhosis group,with a staged increase,and the difference was statistically significant(F=80.57,P<0.001).Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between SUVmax and MRFDGmax(r=0.967,P<0.01).α-SMA was positively correlated with AST,ALT and ALP in the hepatitis,liver fibrosis and cirrhosis groups,respectively(r=0.924,0.756,0.934,P<0.01).Conclusion Whole-body dynamic 18F-FDG PET/CT Patlak imaging has application value in monitoring hepatitis,liver fibrosis and cirrhosis stages through quantitative parameters MRFDGmax and SUVmax changes.
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Objective To explore the advantages of indocyanine green clearance rate at 15 min(ICG-R15)combined with three-dimensional image reconstruction technology in preoperativ evaluation of liver cancer,as well as its impact on the efficacy of liver resection surgery.Methods The data of the patients with liver cancer undergoing preoperative three-dimensional image reconstruction evaluation(experimental group,n=65)and traditional CT evaluation(control group,n=70)in the Jining Municipal First People's Hospital from January 2018 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients performed the ICG-R15 test be-fore operation.In the experimental group,45 cases adopted laparotomy and 20 cases adopted laparoscopic sur-gery,which in the control group had 50 cases and 20 cases,respectively.The data of preoperative laboratory tests,intraoperative related indicators and postoperative laboratory tests were collected in the two groups.The influences between the two kinds of evaluation modes on the effects of laparotomy and laparoscopic surgery in liver cancer were compared.Results In laparotomy,compared with the control group,the operation time and postoperative drainage tube extraction time in the experimental group were significantly shortened,the intrao-perative bleeding volume was significantly decreased,the incidence rate of postoperative complications,direct bilirubin and AST levers on 7 d after operation were significantly decreased(P<0.05);there were no statis-tically significant differences in the intraoperative blood transfusion rate,postoperative hospitalization dura-tion,levels of total bilirubin,ALT and albumin and prothrombin time on 7 d after operation between the two groups(P>0.05).In laparoscopic surgery,compared with the control group,the postoperative hospitalization duration and postoperative drainage tube extraction time in the experimental group were significantly short-ened,the levels of AST and ALT on 7 d after operation were significantly decreased(P<0.05);there was no statistically significant difference in the other observation indicators between the two groups(P>0.05);in the control group,3 cases were converted to laparotomy due to inability to excision during laparoscopic explo-ration.Compared with the control group,the accuracy rate of preoperative evaluation of the number of liver tumors and Couinaud segmentation localization(96.9%vs.85.7%)and preoperative evaluation of liver vas-cular variation(100.0%vs.53.8%)were increased in the experimental group,the percentage of the patients with actual resection range greater than preoperative prediction range was lower(7.7%vs.20.0%),and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the accu-racy of preoperative evaluation of portal vein invasion between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion ICG-R15 combined with three dimensional reconstruction technology in preoperatively assessing liver cancer has more advantages compared with combined traditional CT,moreover which is conducive to reduce intraoperative bleeding,shorten operation time and has the positive effect on the patients'prognosis.
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Objective To explore the risk factors for myocardial injury in esophagogastric variceal bleeding(EGVB)patients with liver cirrhosis during hospitalization.Methods A case-control trial was conducted on 235 EGVB patients admitted to our hospital between May 2021 and July 2022.Their basic information,laboratory results and relevant data during hospitalization were collected.According to their myocardial enzyme profiles during hospitalization,they were divided into myocardial injury group(n=46)and non-myocardial injury group(n=189).Univariate regression analysis and clinical correlation analysis were used to preliminarily screen the risk factors for myocardial injury secondary to EGVB caused by liver cirrhosis.Then,multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to further screen the risk factors.A nomogram was constructed based on the selected risk factors and the occurrence of myocardial injury.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to analyze the independent predictive value of these factors alone or combined together.Calibration curve analysis and internal verification were utilized to evaluate the predictive performance of the nomogram model.Subgroup verification was performed in the myocardial infarction group.Results Univariate analysis revealed that statistical differences were observed in age,sex,hypertension,renal disease,underlying diseases,vomiting,leukocytosis,increased alanine aminotransferase(ALT)or aspartate aminotransferase(AST),albumin,red blood cell hematocrit(HCT),international normalized ratio(INR),endoscopy within 6 h after admission,and Child-Pugh(CP)class between the myocardial injury group and the non-myocardial injury group(P<0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age(P=0.014,OR=1.153,95%CI:1.030~1.291),underlying diseases(P=0.005,OR=1.122,95%CI:1.032~2.437),and albumin(P=0.012,OR=0.449,95%CI:0.241~0.837)were independent risk factors for inhospital myocardial injury in EGVB patients with liver cirrhosis.The AUC value of the above indicators combined together for predicting myocardial injury was 0.902.Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve analysis indicated that the nomogram had good prediction consistency(Chi-square=12.88,P=0.615).Internal verification correctly distinguished 86.4%of verification objects.Subgroup analysis of myocardial injury patients showed that albumin was also an independent risk factor for in-hospital myocardial injury in this population(AUC=0.80).Conclusion Age,underlying diseases,and albumin level are independent risk factors for in-hospital myocardial injury in EGVB patients with liver cirrhosis.Albumin level can be used as an independent risk factor for predicting myocardial infarction.Combination of the above 3 indicators has a high diagnostic value in early identification and prevention of myocardial injury in this patient population.
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The essence of cirrhosis is the over-repairing reaction of liver tissue damage in the process of chronic liver disease.During repair,the liver parenchyma is gradually replaced by fibrosis tissue,resulting in changes in liver tissue morphology,followed by portal hypertension and other related manifestations.Liver failure are serious disorder of liver functions(synthesis,metabolism,transformation,regeneration,etc.)caused by various factors,often mainly manifested as jaundice,coagulation disfunction,hepatic encephalopathy,ascites,etc.The naming and typing of the two are different,and they can exist independently of each other or intersect with each other.In recent years,with the in-depth exploration of cirrhosis and liver failure,many new definitions and classification methods have been put forward in the research.However,due to the confusion of classification methods,there is still a lack of summary,so this article briefly reviews the current progress of clinical classification of liver cirrhosis and liver failure and their differences and intersections.