Progressive cholestasis and associated sclerosing cholangitis are frequent complications of COVID-19 in patients with chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cholestasis is associated with disease severity and worse outcome in COVID-19. Cases of secondary sclerosing cholangitis (SSC) after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have been described. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 between 03/2020 and 07/2021 were included. Patients were stratified as having (i) no chronic liver disease (CLD), (ii) non-advanced CLD (non-ACLD), or (iii) advanced CLD (ACLD). Patients with CLD and non-COVID-19 pneumonia were matched to patients with CLD and COVID-19 as a control cohort. Liver chemistries before (Pre) and at first, second, and third blood withdrawal after SARS-CoV-2 infection (T1-T3) and at last available time point (last) were recorded. A total of 496 patients were included. In total, 13.1% (n = 65) had CLD (non-ACLD: 70.8%; ACLD: 29.2%); the predominant etiology was NAFLD/NASH (60.0%). COVID-19-related liver injury was more common among patients with CLD (24.6% vs. 10.6%; p = 0.001). After SARS-CoV-2 infection, patients with CLD exhibited progressive cholestasis with persistently increasing levels of alkaline phosphatase (Pre: 91.0 vs. T1: 121.0 vs. last: 175.0 U/L; p < 0.001) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (Pre: 95.0 vs. T1: 135.0 vs. last: 202.0 U/L; p = 0.001). A total of 23.1% of patients with CLD (n = 15/65) developed cholestatic liver failure (cholestasis plus bilirubin ≥6 mg/dl) during COVID-19, and 15.4% of patients (n = 10/65) developed SSC. SSC was significantly more frequent among patients with CLD and COVID-19 than in patients with CLD and non-COVID-19 pneumonia (p = 0.040). COVID-19-associated SSC occurred predominantly in patients with NAFLD/NASH and metabolic risk factors. A total of 26.3% (n = 5/19) of patients with ACLD experienced hepatic decompensation after SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS: About 20% of patients with CLD develop progressive cholestasis after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with NAFLD/NASH and metabolic risk factors are at particular risk for developing cholestatic liver failure and/or SSC after COVID-19.

Decreasing von Willebrand Factor Levels Upon Nonselective Beta Blocker Therapy Indicate a Decreased Risk of Further Decompensation, Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure, and Death.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nonselective beta blockers (NSBBs) exert beneficial effects beyond lowering hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), which may be particularly relevant in patients with decompensated cirrhosis (DC), in whom bacterial translocation and bacterial-induced systemic inflammation drive the development of complications such as acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). We evaluated whether NSBB-related changes in von Willebrand factor (VWF) may serve as a biomarker for these effects. METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, 159 prospectively characterized patients with clinically stable DC (ie, without acute decompensation) who underwent paired HVPG/VWF assessments before/on NSBB therapy were classified as 'VWF-responders' (as defined by a ≥5% decrease in VWF) versus 'VWF-non-responders.' RESULTS: There were no major differences in baseline characteristics between VWF-responders (61%) and VWF-non-responders. VWF-responders showed more pronounced decreases in inflammation (procalcitonin), whereas rates of HVPG-response were similar. In line, NSBB-related changes in VWF correlated with the dynamics of bacterial translocation/inflammation (lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin), rather than those of HVPG. Interestingly, VWF-responders also showed less pronounced NSBB-related decreases in mean arterial pressure, suggesting an amelioration of systemic vasodilatation. Finally, VWF-response was associated with decreased risks of further decompensation (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.555; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.337-0.912; P = .020), ACLF (aHR, 0.302; 95% CI, 0.126-0.721; P = .007), and liver-related death (aHR, 0.332; 95% CI, 0.179-0.616; P < .001) in Cox regression models adjusted for prognostic factors including changes in HVPG. CONCLUSIONS: Decreases in VWF upon NSBB therapy reflect their anti-inflammatory activity, are accompanied by less pronounced adverse effects on systemic hemodynamics, and are independently associated with a decreased risk of further decompensation, ACLF, and death. VWF-response may discriminate between decompensated patients who benefit from NSBB treatment and have a favorable prognosis versus patients with poor outcomes.

Age-adjusted mortality and predictive value of liver chemistries in a Viennese cohort of COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) causes considerable mortality worldwide. We aimed to investigate the frequency and predictive role of abnormal liver chemistries in different age groups. METHODS: Patients with positive severe acute respiratory distress syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test between 03/2020-07/2021 at the Vienna General Hospital were included. Patients were stratified for age: 18-39 vs. 40-69 vs. ≥70 years (y). Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and total bilirubin (BIL) were recorded. RESULTS: 900 patients (18-39 years: 32.2%, 40-69 years: 39.7%, ≥70 years: 28.1%) were included. Number of comorbidities, median D-dimer and C-reactive protein increased with age. During COVID-19, AST/ALT and ALP/GGT levels significantly increased. Elevated hepatocellular transaminases (AST/ALT) and cholestasis parameters (ALP/GGT/BIL) were observed in 40.3% (n  = 262/650) and 45.0% (n  = 287/638) of patients respectively. Liver-related mortality was highest among patients with pre-existing decompensated liver disease (28.6%, p < .001). 1.7% of patients without pre-existing liver disease died of liver-related causes, that is consequences of hepatic dysfunction or acute liver failure. Importantly, COVID-19-associated liver injury (16.0%, p < .001), abnormal liver chemistries and liver-related mortality (6.5%, p < .001) were most frequent among 40-69 years old patients. Elevated AST and BIL after the first positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR independently predicted mortality in the overall cohort and in 40-69 years old patients. CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the COVID-19 patients exhibit abnormal hepatocellular and cholestasis-related liver chemistries with 40-69 years old patients being at particularly high risk for COVID-19-related liver injury and liver-related mortality. Elevated AST and BIL after SARS-CoV-2 infection are independent predictors of mortality, especially in patients aged 40-69 years.

Systemic inflammation is linked to liver fibrogenesis in patients with advanced chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Experimental evidence indicates that systemic inflammation (SI) promotes liver fibrogenesis. This study investigated the potential link between SI and fibrogenesis in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). METHODS: Serum biomarkers of SI (CRP, IL-6, procalcitonin [PCT]) and extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover (i.e., fibrogenesis/fibrolysis) were analysed in 215 prospectively recruited patients with ACLD (hepatic venous pressure gradient [HVPG] ≥6 mm Hg) undergoing hepatic vein catheterization. Patients with non-elective hospitalization or bacterial infection were excluded. Histological alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) area was quantified on full biopsy scans by automated morphometric quantification in a subset of 34 patients who underwent concomitant transjugular liver biopsy. RESULTS: Histological α-SMA proportionate area correlated with enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) score (Spearman's ρ = 0.660, p < .001), markers of collagen formation (PRO-C3, ρ = 0.717, p < .001; PRO-C6, ρ = 0.526, p = .002) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP1; ρ = 0.547, p < .001), indicating that these blood biomarkers are capable of reflecting the dynamic process of ECM turnover. CRP, IL-6 and PCT levels correlated with ELF, biomarkers of collagen synthesis/degradation and TIMP1, both in compensated and decompensated patients. Multivariate linear regression models (adjusted for HVPG) confirmed that CRP, IL-6 and PCT were independently linked to markers of liver fibrogenesis and ECM turnover. CONCLUSION: Systemic inflammation is linked to both liver fibrogenesis and ECM turnover in ACLD and this association is not confounded by the severity of liver disease, as evaluated by HVPG. Our study confirms experimental data on the detrimental impact of SI on ECM deposition and fibrosis progression in a thoroughly characterized cohort of patients with ACLD.

Amelioration of systemic inflammation in advanced chronic liver disease upon beta-blocker therapy translates into improved clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic inflammation promotes the development of clinical events in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). We assessed whether (1) non-selective beta blocker (NSBB) treatment initiation impacts biomarkers of systemic inflammation and (2) whether these changes in systemic inflammation predict complications and mortality. DESIGN: Biomarkers of systemic inflammation, that is, white blood cell count (WBC), C reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and procalcitonin (PCT) were determined at sequential hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurements without NSBB and under stable NSBB intake. The influence of NSBB-related changes in systemic inflammation on the risk of decompensation and liver-related death was analysed using competing risk regression. RESULTS: Our study comprised 307 stable patients with ACLD (Child-A: 77 (25.1%), Child-B: 161 (52.4%), Child-C: 69 (22.5%), median HVPG: 20 (IQR 17-24) mm Hg) including 231 (75.2%) with decompensated disease.WBC significantly decreased upon NSBB therapy initiation (median: -2 (IQR -19;+13)%, p=0.011) in the overall cohort. NSBB-related reductions of WBC (Child-C: -16 (-30;+3)% vs Child-B: -2 (-16;+16)% vs Child-A: +3 (-7;+13)%, p<0.001) and of CRP (Child-C: -26 (-56,+8)% vs Child-B: -16 (-46;+13)% vs Child-A: ±0 (-33;+33)%, p<0.001) were more pronounced in advanced stages of cirrhosis. The NSBB-associated changes in WBC correlated with changes in CRP (Spearman's ρ=0.228, p<0.001), PCT (ρ=0.470, p=0.002) and IL-6 (ρ=0.501, p=0.001), but not with changes in HVPG (ρ=0.097, p=0.088).An NSBB-related decrease in systemic inflammation (ie, WBC reduction ≥15%) was achieved by n=91 (29.6%) patients and was found to be an independent protective factor of further decompensation (subdistribution HR, sHR: 0.694 (0.49-0.98), p=0.038) in decompensated patients and of liver-related mortality in the overall patient cohort (sHR: 0.561 (0.356-0.883), p=0.013). CONCLUSION: NSBB therapy seems to exert systemic anti-inflammatory activity as evidenced by reductions of WBC and CRP levels. Interestingly, this effect was most pronounced in Child-C and independent of HVPG response. An NSBB-related WBC reduction by ≥15% was associated with a decreased risk of further decompensation and death.

Non-invasive detection of portal hypertension by enhanced liver fibrosis score in patients with different aetiologies of advanced chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) score comprises serum markers of fibrogenesis and matrix remodelling and was developed to detect liver fibrosis, however, it may also be useful for the non-invasive detection of portal hypertension (PHT). METHODS: ELF score and its single components (TIMP1/PIIINP/HA) were analysed in 201 patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD; ie hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) ≥6 mm Hg). Patients with pre-/post-hepatic PHT, hepatocellular carcinoma beyond Milan criteria, and history of TIPS implantation or liver transplantation were excluded. RESULTS: ELF and its single components correlated with HVPG in the overall cohort: ELF: r = .443, TIMP1: r = .368, PIIINP:r = .332, and HA:r = .419 (all P < .001). The strength of the correlation between ELF and HVPG decreased in higher HVPG strata: 6-9 mm Hg:r = .569(P = .004), 10-19 mm Hg:r = .304 (P = .001) and ≥20 mm Hg:r = -.023(P = .853). Area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) of ELF score to detect clinically significant PHT (CSPH; HVPG ≥ 10 mm Hg) was 0.833. Importantly, HA alone yielded an AUROC of 0.828. Detection of CSPH in strictly compensated ACLD (cACLD) patients was less accurate: AUROC: 0.759 (P < .001). CSPH was ruled-in by ELF ≥ 11.1 with a PPV of 98% (sensitivity: 61%/specificity: 92%/NPV:24%), but CSPH could not be ruled-out. ELF score had a low AUROC of 0.677 (0.60-0.75; P < .001) for the diagnosis of high-risk PHT (HRPH; HVPG ≥ 20mm Hg) and, thus, HRPH could not be ruled-in by ELF. However, ELF < 10.1 ruled-out HRPH with a NPV of 95% (sensitivity: 97%/specificity: 26%/PPV: 39%). CONCLUSION: The ELF score correlates with HVPG at values <20 mm Hg. An ELF ≥ 11.1 identifies patients with a high probability of CSPH, while an ELF < 10.1 may be used to rule-out HRPH.

Hepatic Steatosis in Lean Patients: Risk Factors and Impact on Mortality.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic impact of liver steatosis in obese patients is well established. Limited data on the risk factors for and impact of hepatic steatosis in lean patients are available. AIMS: Assess risk factors for liver steatosis in lean patients and investigate its impact on survival. METHODS: Patients without viral hepatitis and with a BMI ≤ 25 kg/m2 undergoing liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) by transient elastography were retrospectively identified. Clinical characteristics and laboratory test results were obtained at the time of LSM/CAP measurement. National death registry data were obtained in order to assess survival. RESULTS: Among n = 218 lean patients, n = 97 (34.5%) showed significant liver steatosis (CAP ≥ 268 dB/m), while n = 184 (65.5%) had no or just mild steatosis (CAP < 268 dB/m). Patients with steatosis had higher GGT (238.0(± 450.3) vs. 112.1(± 180.0) IU/mL; p = 0.013), AST (63(± 67.4) vs. 38.5(± 32.9) IU/mL; p = 0.001), ALT (59.1(± 58.8) vs. 44.3(± 52.7) IU/mL; p = 0.048) and triglyceride levels (120.1(± 80.3) vs. 96.1(± 58.2) mg/dL; p = 0.014), and showed a trend toward more severe fibrosis (LSM 15.6(± 19.5) vs. 12.0(± 15.7) kPa; p = 0.115). In multivariate binary logistic regression analysis, only serum uric acid levels were independently associated with liver steatosis (odds ratio 1.43 per unit mg/dL; 95% CI 1.001-2.054; p = 0.049). During a mean follow-up of 38.9(± 10.6) months, n = 14 patients (5.0%) died. In the absence of advanced fibrosis, survival after 1 year was similar in patients without (98.7%) and with (98.6%) significant steatosis. Patients with advanced fibrosis had worse 1-year survival without concomitant significant steatosis (84.8%) than patients with steatosis (95.8%; log-rank p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: High serum uric acid levels increase the risk of liver steatosis in lean patients. Liver fibrosis but not hepatic steatosis is a risk factor for impaired survival in lean patients.

Fibrinolysis in patients with a mild-to-moderate bleeding tendency of unknown cause.

In more than 50% of patients with a mild-to-moderate bleeding tendency, no underlying cause can be identified (bleeding of unknown cause, BUC). Data on parameters of fibrinolysis in BUC are scarce in the literature and reveal discrepant results. It was the aim of this study to investigate increased fibrinolysis as a possible mechanism of BUC. We included 270 patients (227 females, median age 44 years, 25-75th percentile 32-58) with BUC and 98 healthy controls (65 females, median age 47 years, 25-75thpercentile 39-55). Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA-) antigen and activity, plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), tPA-PAI-1 complexes, thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), α2-antiplasmin, and D-dimer were determined. While PAI-1 deficiency was equally frequent in patients with BUC and controls (91/270, 34%, and 33/98, 34%, p = 0.996), tPA activity levels were more often above the detection limit in patients than in controls (103/213, 48%, and 23/98, 23%, p < 0.0001). We found lower levels of tPA-PAI-1 complexes (6.86 (3.99-10.00) and 9.11 (7.17-13.12), p < 0.001) and higher activity of TAFI (18.61 (15.80-22.58) and 17.03 (14.02-20.02), p < 0.001) and α2-antiplasmin (102 (94-109) and 98 (90-106], p = 0.003) in patients compared to controls. Detectable tPA activity (OR 3.02, 95%CI 1.75-5.23, p < 0.0001), higher levels of TAFI (OR 2.57, 95%CI 1.48-4.46, p = 0.0008) and α2-antiplasmin (OR 1.03, 95%CI 1.01-1.05, p = 0.011), and lower levels of tPA-PAI-1 complexes (OR 0.90, 95%CI 0.86-0.95, p < 0.0001) were independently associated with BUC in sex-adjusted logistic regression analyses. We conclude that the fibrinolytic system can play an etiological role for bleeding in patients with BUC.

Prevalence and long-term implications of preoperative anemia in patients undergoing elective general surgery: a retrospective cohort study at a university hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the prevalence of anaemia in a cohort of patients undergoing elective general surgery at a university hospital. Furthermore, the authors investigated the influence of anaemia on short-term and long-term postoperative outcome. BACKGROUND: Awareness of the negative impact of preoperative anaemia on perioperative morbidity and mortality is rising. Anaemia is a potentially modifiable factor, and its therapy might improve patient outcome in elective surgery. Nevertheless, patients with preoperative anaemia frequently undergo elective surgery without receiving adequate preoperative treatment. METHODS: In this single-centre cohort study, the authors analyzed 6908 adult patients who underwent elective general surgery. Patients undergoing day-clinic surgery were excluded. In all patients, preoperative haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit was available. RESULTS: Of all patients analyzed, 32.9% were anaemic (21.0% mild, 11.8% moderate, 1.1% severe). Median time to last follow-up was 5.2 years. During the whole study period, 27.1% of patients died (1.2% died during the hospital stay); median time to death was 1.3 years. Patients with preoperative anaemia had significantly higher mortality rates ( P <0.001) and a higher probability of postoperative complications ( P <0.001). Likewise, receiving blood transfusions was associated with a higher risk of death ( P <0.001). CONCLUSION: This retrospective single-centre analysis confirmed that preoperative anaemia is common, and is a significant risk factor for unfavourable postoperative outcome. As anaemia is a modifiable risk factor, the implementation of a patient blood management concept is crucial to reduce detrimental postoperative events associated with anaemia.

Long-term survival of patients with a history of venous thromboembolism.

Limited data are available regarding long-term survival following venous thromboembolism (VTE). The objectives of this study are to evaluate long-term survival by retrospective survival analysis in patients with a history of VTE and to compare their survival with that of the general population. Patients with a history of VTE (min. 3 months after VTE) without cancer, who were referred to our department between 1994 and 2007, were included in the analysis. Information concerning mortality was available through the Austrian Central Death Register. The survival of patients was compared with that of the age- and gender-matched general Austrian population. Three thousand two hundred-nine patients (mean age, 46.2; range, 14-89 years) were included. Median time interval between the first VTE and inclusion was 14 months; median observation period was 6.6 years. During the considered time period, 169 patients (5.3%) died. The cumulative survival in patients was 0.97 and 0.87 after 5 and 10 years; men had a higher death rate than women; patients with idiopathic VTE had a less favourable survival than those with a triggering event. When patients were compared to the general population, the cumulative relative survival was 1.02 (95% CI 1.00-1.03). In none of the analysed subgroups (different sites of VTE; idiopathic vs. secondary VTE) was a reduced cumulative relative survival found. The relative survival of male patients was even slightly better, whereas that of women equalled that of the normal population. Our results indicate that after the initial phase, VTE does not seem to impair long-term survival of patients with a history of VTE without cancer.

Placental growth factor levels neither reflect severity of portal hypertension nor portal-hypertensive gastropathy in patients with advanced chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Experimental data indicates that placental growth factor (PLGF) is involved in the pathophysiology of portal hypertension (PH) due to advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). We investigated serum levels of PLGF and its "scavenger", the receptor soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFLT1, or sVEGFR1), in ACLD patients with different severity of PH and portal-hypertensive gastropathy (PHG). METHODS: PLGF and sVEGFR1 were measured in ACLD patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) ≥6 mmHg (n = 241) and endoscopic evaluation of PHG (n = 216). Patients with pre-/posthepatic PH, TIPS, liver transplantation and hepatocellular carcinoma were excluded. RESULTS: Thirty-two (13%) patients had HVPG 6-9 mmHg, 128 (53%) 10-19 mmHg and 81 (34%) ≥20 mmHg; 141 (59%) had decompensated ACLD (dACLD). PLGF (median 17.2 vs. 20.8 vs. 22.4 pg/mL; p = 0.002), sVEGFR1 (median 96.0 vs. 104.8 vs. 119.3 pg/mL; p < 0.001) levels increased across HVPG strata, while PLGF/sVEGFR1 ratios remained similar (0.19 vs. 0.20 vs. 0.18 pg/mL; p = 0.140). The correlation between PLGF and HVPG was weak (Rho = 0.190,95%CI 0.06-0.31; p = 0.003), and the PLGF/sVEGFR1 ratio did not correlate with HVPG (p = 0.331). The area-under-the-receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) for PLGF to detect clinically significant PH (CSPH;i.e. HVPG ≥ 10 mmHg) yielded only 0.688 (0.60-0.78; p < 0.001). When compared to ACLD patients without PHG, PLGF levels (20 without vs. 21.4 with mild vs. 17.1 pg/mL with severe PHG, respectively; p = 0.005) and PLGF/sVEGFR1 ratios (0.20 vs. 0.19 vs. 0.17; p = 0.076) did not increase with mild and severe PHG. CONCLUSION: While PLGF levels tended to increase with severity of PH, the PLGF/sVEGFR1 ratio remained stable across HVPG strata. Neither PLGF nor the PLGF/sVEGFR1 ratio had diagnostic value for prediction of CSPH. The severity of PHG was also not associated with stepwise increases in PLGF levels or PLGF/sVEGFR1 ratio.

The differential activation of cardiovascular hormones across distinct stages of portal hypertension predicts clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The cardiovascular hormones renin/angiotensin/aldosterone (RAA), brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) are key regulators of systemic circulatory homeostasis in portal hypertension (PH). We assessed (i) the activation of renin, BNP and AVP across distinct stages of PH and (ii) whether activation of these hormones correlates with clinical outcomes. METHODS: Plasma levels of renin, proBNP and copeptin (AVP biomarker) were determined in 663 patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) undergoing hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement at the Vienna General Hospital between 11/2011 and 02/2019. We stratified for Child stage (A-C), HVPG (6-9 mmHg, 10-15 mmHg, ≥ 16 mmHg) and compensated vs. decompensated ACLD. RESULTS: With increasing PH, hyperdynamic state was indicated by higher heart rates (6-9 mmHg: median 71.0 [IQR 18.0] bpm, 10-15 mmHg: 76.0 [19.0] bpm, ≥ 16 mmHg: 80.0 [22.0] bpm; p < 0.001), lower mean arterial pressure (6-9 mmHg: 103.0 [13.5] mmHg, 10-15 mmHg: 101.0 [19.5] mmHg, ≥ 16 mmHg: 99.0 [21.0] mmHg; p = 0.032) and lower serum sodium (6-9 mmHg: 139.0 [3.0] mmol/L, 10-15 mmHg: 138.0 [4.0] mmol/L, ≥ 16 mmHg: 138.0 [5.0] mmol/L; p < 0.001). Across HVPG strata (6-9 mmHg vs. 10-15 mmHg vs ≥ 16 mmHg), median plasma levels of renin (21.0 [50.5] vs. 25.1 [70.9] vs. 65.4 [219.6] µIU/mL; p < 0.001), proBNP (86.1 [134.0] vs. 63.6 [118.0], vs. 132.2 [208.9] pg/mL; p = 0.002) and copeptin (7.8 [7.7] vs. 5.6 [8.0] vs. 10.7 [18.6] pmol/L; p = 0.024) increased with severity of PH. Elevated renin levels independently predicted first hepatic decompensation (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.69; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.07-2.68; p = 0.025) and mortality in compensated patients (aHR: 3.15; 95% CI 1.70-5.84; p < 0.001) and the overall cohort aHR: 1.42; 95% CI 1.01-2.01; p = 0.046). Elevated copeptin levels predicted mortality in decompensated patients (aHR: 5.77; 95% CI 1.27-26.33; p = 0.024) and in the overall cohort (aHR: 3.29; 95% CI 1.36-7.95; p = 0.008). ProBNP levels did not predict clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The cardiovascular hormones renin, proBNP and AVP are activated with progression of ACLD and PH. Renin activation is a risk factor for hepatic decompensation and mortality, especially in compensated patients. Increased plasma copeptin is a risk factor for mortality, in particular in decompensated patients.

Association of ABO blood group with bleeding severity in patients with bleeding of unknown cause.

Blood group O has been associated with an increased bleeding tendency due to lower von Willebrand factor (VWF) and factor VIII (FVIII) levels. We explored whether blood group O is independently associated with bleeding severity in patients with mild-to-moderate bleeding of unknown cause (BUC) in the Vienna Bleeding Biobank cohort. Bleeding severity was recorded with the Vicenza bleeding score (BS). Blood group O was overrepresented in 422 patients with BUC compared with its presence in 23 145 healthy blood donors (47.2% vs 37.6%; odds ratio, 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-1.79). The BS and the number of bleeding symptoms were significantly higher in patients with blood group O than in patients with non-O after adjustment for VWF and FVIII levels and sex (least-square [LS] means of BSs: 6.2; 95% CI, 5.8-6.6 vs 5.3; 4.9-5.7; and of number of symptoms: LS, 3.5; 95% CI, 3.2-3.7 vs 3.0; 2.8-3.2, respectively). Oral mucosal bleeding was more frequent in those with blood group O than in those with other blood types (group non-O; 26.1% vs 14.3%), independent of sex and VWF and FVIII levels, whereas other bleeding symptoms did not differ. Patients with blood group O had increased clot density in comparison with those with blood group non-O, as determined by rotational thromboelastometry and turbidimetric measurement of plasma clot formation. There were no differences in thrombin generation, clot lysis, or platelet function. Our data indicate that blood group O is a risk factor for increased bleeding and bleeding severity in patients with BUC, independent of VWF and FVIII levels.

Thromboelastometry in patients with advanced chronic liver disease stratified by severity of portal hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) has been studied in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) without considering the impact of portal hypertension. We evaluated the influence of the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) on ROTEM results in patients with ACLD. METHODS: Cross-sectional study; ACLD patients undergoing HVPG measurement within the prospective Vienna Cirrhosis Study (NCT03267615) underwent concomitant ROTEM testing. RESULTS: Among 159 patients (68% male; Child-Pugh-A: 53%, Child-Pugh-B: 34%, Child-Pugh-C: 13%), 21 patients (13%) had a HVPG between 6 and 10 mmHg, 84 patients (53%) between 10 and 19 mmHg, and 54 patients (34%) ≥ 20 mmHg. Child-Pugh-C patients (vs. Child-Pugh-A and vs. Child-Pugh-B patients, respectively) showed longer clot formation time (CFT: median 187 s vs. 122 s vs. 122 s, p = 0.007) and lower maximum clot firmness (MCF: median: 45 mm vs. 56 mm vs. 56 mm, p = 0.002) in extrinsic thromboelastometry (EXTEM), while platelet counts were similar across Child-Pugh stages. In the overall cohort, ROTEM parameters did not differ by severity of portal hypertension. However, among compensated Child-Pugh-A patients, MCF decreased with increasing portal pressure, i.e. in higher HVPG strata (HVPG 9-10 mmHg: median MCF: 59 mm vs. HVPG 10-19 mmHg: 56 mm vs HVPG ≥ 20 mmHg: 54 mm, p = 0.023). Furthermore, patients with short CFT and high MCF in EXTEM had higher levels of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin, as well as higher leukocyte counts (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Portal hypertension seems to impact ROTEM results only in compensated Child-Pugh-A patients. Bacterial translocation and systemic inflammation may trigger a procoagulant state in patients with ACLD.

Vitamin A levels reflect disease severity and portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The liver plays a key role in the storage, metabolism and homeostasis of fat-soluble vitamins. We investigated the relation of Vitamin(Vit)A/D/E serum levels with severity of liver disease and portal hypertension (PHT). METHODS: VitA/D/E serum levels were assessed in 234 patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD, i.e. hepatic venous pressure gradient [HVPG] ≥ 6 mmHg). Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, pre-/post-hepatic PHT, TIPS or liver transplantation were excluded. RESULTS: Most patients were male (n = 153; 65%) with a median age of 57.6 (49.7-64.5) years. Thirty-two (14%) patients had HVPG 6-9 mmHg, 66 (28%) 10-15 mmHg, and 136 (58%) ≥ 16 mmHg, respectively. VitD deficiency (25-OH-vitamin-D <50 nmol/L) was found in 133 (57%) with higher prevalence in Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP)-C: 85% vs. B: 66% vs. A: 47% (p < 0.001). VitD levels displayed significant but weak correlations with hepatic dysfunction and PHT. VitE levels were normal in 227 (97%) patients and displayed no relevant association with hepatic dysfunction or PHT. Only 63 (27%) patients had normal (>1.05 µmol/L) VitA levels, while 58 (25%) had mild (0.70-1.04 µmol/L), 71 (30%) moderate (0.35-0.69 µmol/L), and 42(18%) severe(<0.35 µmol/L) VitA deficiency. VitA correlated with HVPG (Rho = -0.409), CTP score (Rho = -0.646), and serum bile acid levels (Rho = -0.531; all p < 0.001). The prevalence of decompensated ACLD (dACLD) continuously increased with severity of VitA deficiency (no: 40% vs. mild: 51% vs. moderate: 67% vs. severe: 91% had dACLD; p < 0.001). CTP score (per point; OR 2.46; 95%CI 1.80-3.37; p <0.001), age (per year; OR 0.95; 95%CI 0.92-0.98; p = 0.001) and elevated bile acid levels(>10 µmol/L; OR 3.62; 95%CI 1.61-8.14; p = 0.002) were independently associated with VitA deficiency. CONCLUSION: VitA and VitD but not VitE deficiencies are highly prevalent in ACLD. VitA deficiency strongly correlates with hepatic dysfunction, PHT and bile acid levels and is associated with decompensated ACLD. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03267615.

Patterns and prevalence of dyslipidemia in patients with different etiologies of chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Liver disease impacts on hepatic synthesis of lipoproteins and lipogenesis but data on dyslipidemia during disease progression are limited. We assessed the patterns of dyslipidemia in (i) different liver disease etiologies and discriminated (ii) non-advanced (non-ACLD) from advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) as it is unclear how progression to ACLD impacts on dyslipidemia-associated cardiovascular risk. METHODS: Patients with alcoholic liver disease (n = 121), hepatitis C (n = 1438), hepatitis B (n = 384), metabolic/fatty liver disease (n = 532), cholestatic liver disease (n = 119), and autoimmune hepatitis (n = 114) were included. Liver stiffness ≥15 kPa defined ACLD. Dyslipidemia was defined as total cholesterol >200 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol >130 mg/dL and triglycerides >200 mg/dL. RESULTS: Across all etiologies, total cholesterol levels were significantly lower in ACLD, when compared to non-ACLD. Accordingly, LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly lower in ACLD due to hepatitis C, hepatitis B, metabolic/fatty liver disease and autoimmune hepatitis. Triglyceride levels did not differ due to disease severity in any etiology. Despite lower total and LDL cholesterol levels in ACLD, etiology-specific dyslipidemia patterns remained similar to non-ACLD. Contrary to this "improved" lipid status in ACLD, cardiovascular comorbidities were more prevalent in ACLD: arterial hypertension was present in 26.6% of non-ACLD and in 55.4% of ACLD patients (p < 0.001), and diabetes was present in 8.1% of non-ACLD and 25.6% of ACLD patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Liver disease etiology is a major determinant of dyslipidemia patterns and prevalence. Progression to ACLD "improves" serum lipid levels while arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus are more prevalent. Future studies should evaluate cardiovascular events after ACLD-induced "improvement" of dyslipidemia.

Guideline-conform statin use reduces overall mortality in patients with compensated liver disease.

Statins reduce cardiovascular risk. However, "real-life" data on statin use in patients with chronic liver disease and its impact on overall and liver-related survival are limited. Therefore, we assessed 1265 CLD patients stratified as advanced (ACLD) or non-advanced (non-ACLD) stage. Statin indication was evaluated according to the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines and survival-status was verified by national death registry data. Overall, 122 (9.6%) patients had an indication for statin therapy but did not receive statins, 178 (14.1%) patients were on statins and 965 (76.3%) patients had no indication for statins. Statin underutilization was 34.2% in non-ACLD and 48.2% in ACLD patients. In non-ACLD patients, survival was worse without a statin despite indication as compared to patients on statin or without indication (log-rank p = 0.018). In ACLD patients, statin use did not significantly impact on survival (log-rank p = 0.264). Multivariate cox regression analysis confirmed improved overall survival in patients with statin as compared to patients with indication but no statin (HR 0.225; 95%CI 0.053-0.959; p = 0.044) and a trend towards reduced liver-related mortality (HR 0.088; 95%CI 0.006-1.200; p = 0.068). This was not observed in ACLD patients. In conclusion, guideline-confirm statin use is often withhold from  patients with liver disease and this underutilization is associated with impaired survival in non-ACLD patients.

Red cell distribution width and other red blood cell parameters in patients with cancer: association with risk of venous thromboembolism and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients are at high risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). Red cell distribution width (RDW) has been reported to be associated with arterial and venous thrombosis and mortality in several diseases. Here, we analyzed the association between RDW and other red blood cell (RBC) parameters with risk of VTE and mortality in patients with cancer. METHODS: RBC parameters were measured in 1840 patients with cancers of the brain, breast, lung, stomach, colon, pancreas, prostate, kidney; lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other tumor sites, that were included in the Vienna Cancer and Thrombosis Study (CATS), which is an ongoing prospective, observational cohort study of patients with newly diagnosed or progressive cancer after remission. Primary study outcome is occurrence of symptomatic VTE and secondary outcome is death during a maximum follow-up of 2 years. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 706 days, 131 (7.1%) patients developed VTE and 702 (38.2%) died. High RDW (>16%) was not associated with a higher risk of VTE in the total study cohort; in competing risk analysis accounting for death as competing variable the univariable subhazard ratio (SHR) was 1.34 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80-2.23, p = 0.269). There was also no significant association between other RBC parameters and risk of VTE. High RDW was associated with an increased risk of mortality in the total study population (hazard ratio [HR, 95% CI]: 1.72 [1.39-2.12], p<0.001), and this association prevailed after adjustment for age, sex, hemoglobin, leukocyte and platelet count (HR [95% CI]: 1.34 [1.06-1.70], p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: RDW and other RBC parameters were not independently associated with risk of VTE in patients with cancer and might therefore not be of added value for estimating risk of VTE in patients with cancer. We could confirm that high RDW is an independent predictor of poor overall survival in cancer.

The Ross procedure offers excellent survival compared with mechanical aortic valve replacement in a real-world setting.

OBJECTIVES: The ideal prosthesis for young patients requiring aortic valve replacement has not been defined to date. Although the Ross procedure provides excellent survival, its application is still limited. We compared the long-term survival after the Ross procedure with mechanical aortic valve replacement. METHODS: All consecutive Ross procedures and mechanical aortic valve replacements performed between 1991 and 2008 at a single centre were analysed. Only adult patients between 18 and 50 years of age were included in the study. Survival and valve-related complications were evaluated. Furthermore, survival was compared with the age- and sex-matched Austrian population. RESULTS: A total of 159 Ross patients and 173 mechanical valve patients were included. The cumulative survival for the Ross procedure was significantly better, with survival rates of 96, 94 and 93% at 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively, in comparison to 90, 84 and 75% (P < 0.01) for patients with mechanical valves. A Cox regression analysis including patients' age, gender and valve type revealed age and the type of aortic valve replacement as independent significant factors influencing survival (for age, hazard ratio = 1.1, 95% confidence interval = 1.0-1.1, P = 0.03; and for valve type, hazard ratio = 2.6, 95% confidence interval = 1.2-5.8, P = 0.02). The observed survival was comparable to the expected standard survival for the Ross group but was significantly reduced in the mechanical valve group. CONCLUSIONS: In a real-world setting, the Ross procedure is associated with a long-term survival benefit in young adults in comparison to mechanical aortic valve replacement.

Endoscopic vein harvesting is influenced by patient-related risk factors and may be of specific benefit in female patients.

OBJECTIVES: The standard of care regarding endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) is still inhomogeneous across Europe. The current study aimed at elucidating patient-related factors favouring its application and procedure-related outcome in a tertiary care centre. METHODS: All patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting with or without concomitant valve procedures between 2008 and 2011 were included. Emergency surgery and all arterial revascularization patients were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 262 endoscopically harvested patients and 623 open vein harvested patients were included. Mortality, perfusion time and cross-clamp time were not significantly different. Peripheral artery disease predisposed open vein harvesting (odds ratio [OR] 1.9; P = 0.001); diabetes and a higher number of diseased coronary vessels favoured EVH (OR 0.6; P = 0.003 and 0.002). Further, the number of bypass grafts was significantly increased in the endoscopic group, but these patients required less periprocedural blood transfusions (1.4 ± 1.8 vs 1.8 ± 3.0; P = 0.035). Minor wound healing complications were more common in the open group (10.3 vs 3.8%; P = 0.001). Severe complications in the leg requiring surgical revision occured in 2.4% of open vein harvested patients compared with 1.1% for endoscopic patients (P = ns). After a multivariate regression analysis, only female gender remained as a significant risk factor for impaired wound healing (OR 2.4; P = 0.001), whereas EVH reduced the risk of wound-healing complications (OR 0.4; P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: EVH dramatically reduced postoperative would healing complications. Women were more likely to develop mild and severe leg wound complications. Therefore, women may benefit even more from EVH. In general, the favourable outcomes of EVH should result in a more widespread use of this technology in men and women.