The natural history of portal hypertensive gastropathy in patients with liver cirrhosis and mild portal hypertension

BACKGROUND: Portal hypertensive gastropathy is a potential cause of bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis. Studies on its natural history have often included patients submitted to endoscopic or pharmacological treatment for portal hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 222 cirrhotic patients with mild degree of portal hypertension (i.e., with no or small varices at entry, without previous gastrointestinal bleeding and medical, endoscopic, or angiographic treatment) were followed up with upper endoscopy every 12 months for 47 +/- 28 months. RESULTS: Upon enrollment 48 patients presented portal hypertensive gastropathy (43 mild and 5 severe) and the presence of esophageal varices was the only independent predictor of the presence of this gastric lesion at multivariate analysis. The incidence of portal hypertensive gastropathy was 3.0% (1.1-4.9%) at 1 yr and 24% (18.1-29.9%) at 3 yr, while the progression was 3% (1-6.9%) at 1 yr and 14% (4.2-23.8%) at 3 yr. The presence of esophageal varices and the Child-Pugh class B or C at enrollment were predictive of the incidence of portal hypertensive gastropathy, while only Child-Pugh class B or C was correlated with the progression from mild to severe, at multivariate analysis. During follow-up 16 patients bled from portal hypertensive gastropathy (9 acutely and 7 chronically) and one patient died of exsanguination from this lesion. CONCLUSIONS: The natural history of portal hypertensive gastropathy is significantly influenced by the severity of liver disease and severity of portal hypertension. Acute bleeding from portal hypertensive gastropathy is infrequent but may be severe.     

Comparison of prevalence for paraumbilical vein patency in patients with viral and alcoholic liver cirrhosis

OBJECTIVES: The patent paraumbilical vein (PUV) is a venous collateral that is often found in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. It can be effectively demonstrated by conventional ultrasonography (US). We conducted this prospective study to elucidate the prevalence and etiology of PUV patency for cirrhotic patients. METHODS: From August, 1997, to July, 1998, one of the authors (S.-N.L.) observed PUV patency for all cirrhotic patients during routine upper abdominal US examination. All cirrhotic patients diagnosed with portal hypertension were further analyzed. Portal hypertension was diagnosed by sonographic evidence of splenomegaly or ascites, or endoscopic varices. Cases presenting with hepatocellular carcinoma and sonographic evidence of prehepatic portal hypertension were excluded. Once a PUV patency with a diameter of > or = 3 mm was suspected based on conventional US, it was confirmed by color Doppler US. Of the 493 cirrhotic patients examined, 252 with portal hypertension and without hepatoma were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: Significant PUV patency was detected in 11.1% of the enrolled patients (28 of 252). With univariate analysis, a significantly higher prevalence was demonstrated for alcoholic patients (p < 0.0001), whereas prevalence was relatively low for those with chronic hepatitis B or C infection (p = 0.0159). A trend toward increased prevalence was noted with Child-Pugh classification (p = 0.001). Furthermore, a higher prevalence was noted in younger cirrhotic patients (p = 0.0037). Alcoholism was still a significant factor despite adjustment of Child-Pugh classification using multiple logistic regression, (OR = 3.88, 95% CI = 1.34-8.55). CONCLUSION: A significantly higher prevalence of PUV patency was demonstrated for patients with alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis in comparison to those with postviral cirrhosis.     

Preoperative predictors of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization

AIM: To evaluate the predictive value of preoperative predictors for portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization.METHODS: In this prospective study, 69 continuous patients with portal hypertension caused by hepatitis B cirrhosis underwent splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2007 to August 2010. The portal vein flow velocity and the diameter of portal vein were measured by Doppler sonography. The hepatic congestion index and the ratio of velocity and diameter were calculated before operation. The prothrombin time (PT) and platelet (PLT) levels were measured before and after operation. The patients’ spleens were weighed postoperatively.RESULTS: The diameter of portal vein was negatively correlated with the portal vein flow velocity (P < 0.05). Thirty-three cases (47.83%) suffered from postoperative PVT. There was no statistically significant difference in the Child-Pugh score, the spleen weights, the PT, or PLT levels between patients with PVT and without PVT. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed four variables (portal vein flow velocity, the ratio of velocity and diameter, hepatic congestion index and diameter of portal vein) could be used as preoperative predictors of postoperative portal vein thrombosis. The respective values of the area under the curve were 0.865, 0.893, 0.884 and 0.742, and the respective cut-off values (24.45 cm/s, 19.4333/s, 0.1138 cm/s^-1 and 13.5 mm) were of diagnostically efficient, generating sensitivity values of 87.9%, 93.9%, 87.9% and 81.8%, respectively, specificities of 75%, 77.8%, 86.1% and 63.9%, respectively.CONCLUSION: The ratio of velocity and diameter was the most accurate preoperative predictor of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization in hepatitis B cirrhosis-related portal hypertension.     

Risk factors and clinical presentation of portal vein thrombosis in patients with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Portal vein thrombosis in patients with liver cirrhosis is usually associated to hepatocellular carcinoma. Clinical presentation of non-neoplastic portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in cirrhotic patients has not been specifically studied and risk factors of PVT in this group of patients are still poorly understood. METHODS: We studied all patients with PVT and liver cirrhosis admitted to our Unit from January 1998 to December 2002. They were paired (by gender, age and Child-Pugh score) to a group of cirrhotic patients without PVT and screened for acquired and inherited thrombophilic risk factors. These factors together with the site of thrombosis and the severity of the liver disease were correlated to the clinical presentation of PVT. RESULTS: Out of a total of 701 cirrhotic patients admitted to our hospital and routinely screened with Doppler ultrasound, 79 (11.2%) were found to have PVT. Of these, 34 (43%) were asymptomatic and 45 (57%) were symptomatic (31 presented with portal hypertensive bleed and 14 with abdominal pain, 10 of whom had intestinal infarction). Mesenteric vein involvement was never asymptomatic and lead to intestinal ischemia or infarction. Most patients were in class Child-Pugh B and C. Among thrombophilic risk factors studied only the mutation 20210 of the prothrombin gene resulted independently associated to PVT. CONCLUSIONS: Portal vein thrombosis may be completely asymptomatic in patients with liver cirrhosis; however in more than half of cases presents with life-threatening complications such as gastrointestinal haemorrhage and intestinal infarction. Cirrhotic patients with PVT usually have an advanced liver disease and the presence of the mutation 20210 of the prothrombin gene increases more than fivefold the risk of PVT.     

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt versus open splenectomy and esophagogastric devascularization for portal hypertension with recurrent variceal bleeding

BACKGROUND: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) and open splenectomy and esophagogastric devascu-larization (OSED) are widely used to treat patients with portal hypertension and recurrent variceal bleeding (PHRVB). This study aimed to compare the effectiveness between TIPS and OSED for the treatment of PHRVB.METHODS: The data were retrospectively retrieved from 479 cirrhotic patients (Child-Pugh A or B class) with PHRVB, who had undergone TIPS (TIPS group) or OSED (OSED group) between January 1, 2010 and October 31, 2014.RESULTS: A total of 196 patients received TIPS, whereas 283 underwent OSED. Within one month after TIPS and OSED, the rebleeding rates were 6.1% and 3.2%, respectively (P=0.122). Significantly lower incidence of pleural effusion, splenic vein thrombosis, and pulmonary infection, as well as higher hepatic encephalopathy rate, shorter postoperative length of hospital stay, and higher hospital costs were ob-served in the TIPS group than those in the OSED group. Dur-ing the follow-up periods (29 months), significantly higher incidences of rebleeding (15.3% vs 4.6%, P=0.001) and hepatic encephalopathy (17.3% vs 3.9%, P=0.001) were observed in the TIPS group than in the OSED group. The incidence of in-stent stenosis was 18.9%. The survival rates were 91.3% in the TIPS group and 95.1% in the OSED group. The long-term liver function did not worsen after either TIPS or OSED.CONCLUSION: For the patients with liver function in the Child-Pugh A or B class, TIPS is not superior over OSED in terms of PHRVB treatment and rebleeding prevention.     

Portal hemodynamics as predictors of high risk esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients

AIM： To evaluate portal hypertension parameters in liver cirrhosis patients with and without esophageal varices （EV）. METHODS： A cohort of patients with biopsy confirmed liver cirrhosis was investigated endoscopically and with color Doppler ultrasonography as a possible noninvasive predictive tool. The relationship between portal hemodynamics and the presence and size of EV was evaluated using uni- and multivariate approaches. RESULTS： Eighty five consecutive cirrhotic patients （43 men and 42 women） were enrolled. Mean age （± SD） was 47.5 （± 15.9）. Portal vein diameter （13.88 ± 2.42 vs 12.00 ± 1.69, P 〈 0.0005） and liver vascular index （8.31 ± 2.72 vs 17.8 ± 6.28, P 〈 0.0005） were found to be significantly higher in patients with EV irrespective of size and in patients with large varices （14.54 ± 1.48 vs 13.24 ± 2.55, P 〈 0.05 and 6.45 ± 2.78 v$10.96 ± 5.05, P 〈 0.0005, respectively）, while portal vein flow velocity （13.25 ± 3.66 vs 20.25 ± 5.05, P 〈 0.0005）, congestion index （CI） （0.11 ± 0.03 vs 0.06 ± 0.03, P 〈 0.0005）, portal hypertensive index （2.62 ± 0.79 vs 1.33 ± 0.53, P 〈 0.0005）, and hepatic （0.73 ± 0.07 vs 0.66 ± 0.07, P 〈 0.001） and splenic artery resistance index （R/） （0.73 ± 0.06 vs 0.62 ± 0.08, P 〈 0.0005） were significantly lower. A logistic regression model confirmed spleen size （P = 0.002, AUC 0.72） and portal hypertensive index （P = 0.040, AUC 0.79） as independent predictors for the occurrence of large esophageal varices （LEV）. CONCLUSION： Our data suggest two independent situations for beginning endoscopic evaluation of compensated cirrhotic patients： Portal hypertensive index 〉 2.08 and spleen size 〉 15.05 cm. These factors may help identifying patients with a low probability of LEV who may not need upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.     

Prognostic Significance of Hepatic Vein Waveform by Doppler Ultrasonography in Cirrhotic Patients with Portal Hypertension

Objective: We prospectively evaluated the prognostic value of the flat hepatic vein waveform, measured by Doppler ultrasound, in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.
Methods: The Doppler pattern of right and left hepatic veins in a series of 120 consecutive cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension but without hepatocellular carcinoma was examined, together with clinical and biochemical parameters.
Results: Flat waveform of the right hepatic vein was recognized in nine patients and that of the left hepatic vein was seen in 13. After a mean follow-up of 13.6 ± 9.7 months, 17 patients died, all from liver failure. In the univariate analysis, variables significantly associated with the duration of survival were age, etiology of the liver cirrhosis, upper gastrointestinal bleeding after start of the study, Child-Pugh score, ascites, encephalopathy, prothrombin index, bilirubin, albumin, and flat Doppler waveform in the right and left hepatic veins. Multivariate analysis showed that flat Doppler waveform in the right hepatic vein, bilirubin, and prothrombin index were independently related to survival.
Conclusions: The prognostic accuracy in cases of cirrhosis with portal hypertension is significantly improved with acquistion of information obtained from hepatic vein waveform by Doppler ultrasound.     

Pharmacologic efficacy in gastric variceal rebleeding and survival: including multivariate analysis

BACKGROUND: Therapy with beta-blocker and nitrate has been reported to improve survival of patients with bleeding esophageal varices and to decrease esophageal rebleeding. However, there is little information available concerning the efficacy of these medications on rebleeding risk and survival in gastric variceal bleeding after initial hemostasis. METHODS: We conducted an open trial to observe the roles of beta-blocker and nitrate in the long-term outcome of bleeding gastric varices. Eighty-three patients were included and evaluated on the basis of age, gender, gastric variceal size, associated esophageal variceal size, Child-Pugh classification, existence of hepatoma and portal vein thrombosis, beta-blocker or nitrate therapy, and follow-up histoacryl injection. Survival analysis and multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model were performed to evaluate independent risk factors. RESULTS: Larger gastric varices have been shown to be the only risk factor for rebleeding (adjusted odds ratio, 4.50; 95% CI, 1.30-15.59). beta-Blocker and nitrate did not significantly reduce the incidence of rebleeding (adjusted odds ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.08-1.66). Although medical treatment was shown to improve the overall survival by Kaplan-Meier method (p < 0.01), multivariate analysis showed Child-Pugh class B or C and advanced hepatoma with portal vein thrombosis to be the real independent risk factors that influence survival (Child-Pugh class B or C odds ratio, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.53-4.84; portal vein thrombosis odds ratio, 6.99; 95% CI, 2.42-20.16). beta-Blocker and nitrate did not significantly prolong survival independently. CONCLUSIONS: beta-Blocker and nitrate did not decrease the risk of rebleeding and did not improve the overall survival independently. The poor prognosis was correlated with Child-Pugh class B or C, and the advance hepatoma, with portal vein thrombosis.     

Portal and splenic hemodynamics in cirrhotic patients: relationship between esophageal variceal bleeding and the severity of hepatic failure

Background The relationship between portal and splenic vein hemodynamics, liver function, and esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate quantitative Doppler parameters of splanchnic hemodynamics in cirrhotic patients and to determine the value of the Doppler parameters in predicting esophageal variceal bleeding.Methods With the help of pulsed Doppler ultrasonography, we investigated portal and splenic hemodynamics in 18 healthy controls and in 45 patients with liver cirrhosis, in whom the relationship of splenic hemodynamics with esophageal variceal bleeding and the grade of cirrhosis was examined.Results Portal flow velocity was decreased in cirrhotic patients with Childs C cirrhosis, as compared to those with Childs A cirrhosis (P < 0.001). The portal blood flow volume in Childs C cirrhosis were also significantly low compared to patients with Childs A and Childs B cirrhosis (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). There was a significant increase in the portal vein congestion index and splenic vein congestion index in patients with Childs C cirrhosis as compared to patients with Childs A cirrhosis (P < 0.001). Among cirrhotic patients, the group with esophageal variceal bleeding had significantly greater splenic blood flow volume and splenic vein congestion index (P < 0.001). Patients with ascites had significantly lower portal flow velocity (P < 0.001) and higher portal vein congestion index and splenic vein congestion index (P = 0.003 and P = 0.05, respectively) as compared to those without ascites.Conclusions In this report we have shown that the decrease in blood flow and increased congestion indexes in the portal vein and splenic vein are related to the impairment of liver function in cirrhotic patients; these indexes may be valuable factors for predicting esophageal variceal bleeding.     

Value of measurement of mean portal flow velocity by Doppler flowmetry in the diagnosis of portal hypertension.

To establish the sensitivity and specificity of the mean portal flow velocity in the diagnosis of portal hypertension, a population of 304 consecutive cirrhotic patients, in whom 246 abdominal Doppler examinations were performed, was prospectively analysed between June 1988 and December 1990. To avoid equipment-related variability only examinations performed using the same equipment were considered. Further inclusion criteria were the absence of portal vein thrombosis or reversed flow in the portal vessels and the absence of spontaneous, ultrasonographically detectable, portosystemic shunts. The parameter evaluated was mean portal flow velocity calculated directly from the Doppler trace by specific, operator-independent, software. 123 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. As a control group 60 healthy age- and sex-matched subjects were examined. Mean portal flow velocity was significantly lower in cirrhotic patients than healthy subjects (13.0 +/- 3.2 cm/s vs. 19.6 +/- 2.6 cm/s; p < 0.001). There was also a decrease in mean portal flow velocity in cirrhotics in each Child-Pugh category (13.8 +/- 2.8 cm/s in Child-Pugh A class; 12.1 +/- 3.5 cm/s in Child-Pugh B class and 11.0 +/- 2.4 cm/s in Child-Pugh C class) with a statistically significant difference between each Child-Pugh category and healthy subjects (p < 0.001), between Child-Pugh A and B (p < 0.01) and between Child-Pugh A and C (p < 0.005). The sensitivity and specificity of mean portal flow velocity in the detection of portal hypertension was then analyzed with the receiver operating characteristic curve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Risk factors and survival of early bleeding after esophageal variceal ligation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In cirrhotic patients, esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB) is still unpredictable and continues despite initial adequate treatment that is associated with great mortality. Bacterial infections are frequently diagnosed in cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). The aims of this study were to analyze the clinical risk factors and survival of early bleeding after endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL). METHODOLOGY: A total of 96 cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices who received elective or emergent EVL procedure were analyzed. The variables for risk factors analysis included bacterial infection, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with or without portal vein thrombosis, etiology of cirrhosis, Child-Pugh status, and basic laboratory data. There were 19 patients with bleeding episode or rebleeding within 14 days after EVL. The remaining 77 patients were without bleeding event after EVL. RESULTS: Patients with Child C cirrhosis (odds ratio, 7.27; 95% CI, 2.20-24.07, P = 0.001) and bacterial infection (odds ratio, 130.29; 95% CI, 14.70-1154, P < 0.001) were independently associated with the early bleeding after EVL. However, there was no significant difference in long-term survival between patients with and without early bleeding after EVL. CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial infection and end-stage liver cirrhosis (Child C) are the independent risk factors for early bleeding after EVL. We should closely monitor the symptoms/signs of infection and empirical antibiotics should be administered once infection is suspected or documented, especially in cirrhotic patients with poor liver reserve.     

Adhesion molecules as a prognostic marker of liver cirrhosis

OBJECTIVE: Endothelial activation plays an active role in modifications of the circulatory status of cirrhotic patients. Soluble endothelial adhesion molecules, induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines, could be considered markers of endothelial activation. Their role in the natural history of cirrhosis and portal hypertension has not been reported. Our objective was to analyze the prognostic value of soluble adhesion molecules in cirrhotic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum concentrations of soluble CD14, soluble receptors of tumor necrosis factor alpha and adhesion molecules ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) and VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule 1) as well as mean blood pressure, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, vasopressin and norepinephrine concentrations were determined in 64 cirrhotic patients (Child-Pugh class: A 48.4%, B 34.4%, C 17.2%), without any evidence of infection, and in 25 healthy controls. Patients were followed-up for a mean of 36.4 (range 6-60) months. RESULTS: Increased concentrations of soluble CD14, tumor necrosis factor receptors and ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were detected in cirrhotic patients when compared with healthy controls. Tumor necrosis factor receptors and adhesion molecule concentrations were both significantly higher in advanced phases of cirrhosis (Child Pugh class C and B versus A). Fifteen patients died as a related consequence of liver cirrhosis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that Child-Pugh score and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor receptor I and ICAM-1 were associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the classic factor implicated in mortality (Child-Pugh class), alterations in inflammation-related components and soluble adhesion molecules, as representatives of hemodynamic alterations, are of prognostic significance in cirrhotic patients.     

Portal hypertensive colopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis

AIM: In patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension, portal hypertensive colopathy is thought to be an important cause of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of colonic mucosal changes in patients with liver cirrhosis and its clinical significance. METHODS: We evaluated the colonoscopic findings and liver function of 47 patients with liver cirrhosis over a 6-year period. The main cause of liver cirrhosis was post-viral hepatitis (68%) related to hepatitis B (6%) or C (62%) infection. All patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to examine the presence of esophageal varices, cardiac varices, and congestive gastropathy, as well as a full colonoscopy to observe changes in colonic mucosa. Portal hypertensive colopathy was defined endoscopically in patients with vascular ectasia, redness, and blue vein. Vascular ectasia was classified into two types: type 1, solitary vascular ectasia; and type 2, diffuse vascular ectasia. RESULTS: Overall portal hypertensive colopathy was present in 31 patients (66%), including solitary vascular ectasia in 17 patients (36%), diffuse vascular ectasia in 20 patients (42%), redness in 10 patients (21%) and blue vein in 6 patients (12%). As the Child-Pugh class increased in severity, the prevalence of portal hypertensive colopathy rose. Child-Pugh class B and C were significantly associated with portal hypertensive colopathy. Portal hypertensive gastropathy, esophageal varices, ascites and hepatocellular carcinoma were not related to occurrence of portal hypertensive colopathy. Platelet count was significantly associated with portal hypertensive colopathy, but prothrombin time, serum albumin level, total bilirubin level and serum ALT level were not related to occurrence of portal hypertensive colopathy. CONCLUSION: As the Child-Pugh class worsens and platelet count decreases, the prevalence of portal hypertensive colopathy increases in patients with liver cirrhosis. A colonoscopic examination in patients with liver cirrhosis is indicated, especially those with worsening Child-Pugh class and/or decreasing platelet count, to prevent complications such as lower gastrointestinal bleeding.     

双剂量奥曲肽对肝硬化门脉高压症断流术后患者血流动力学的影响

目的研究双剂量奥曲肽对肝硬化门脉高压症断流术后患者门脉压力、肝脏血流动力学影响。方法肝硬化门脉高压症断流术患者26例,随机分两组,术后24h开始用奥曲肽。A组12例,奥曲肽50μg／h;B组14例,奥曲肽25μg／h;胃网膜右静脉插管至门静脉主干,动态测定门脉压力;彩色超声多普勒测定门脉直径（PV）、门脉最大血流速度（PFVmax）、门脉平均血流速度（PFVmean）、肝动脉最大血流速度（HAVmax）、肝动脉最小血流速度（HAVmin）;计算门脉血流量参数（PFI）、肝动脉血流量参数（HAFI）。结果断流术后,两组患者门脉压力平均降幅15．4％,PFI降低（P〈0．05）;HAVmax、HAVmin、HAFI增加（P〈0．05）。用奥曲肽72h后,两组PFI、PFVmax、PFVmean降低（P〈0．05）;用药5min门脉压力降低,24h达高峰,门脉压力平均降幅20．6％。A组停药后48h内,门脉压力未见回升,平均降幅23．1％;B组停药后2h门脉压力有回升趋势,平均降幅11．6％;停药后24h、48h两组患者门脉压力比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。Logistic分析发现,PV、PFVmax、PFVmean、HAVmax、HAVmin与门脉压力无独立相关性。结论肝硬化门脉高压症患者行断流术后,门脉压力降低。双剂量奥曲肽均能明显降低门脉压力;停药后48h内,奥曲肽50μg／h组门脉压力未见回升。提示,临床用奥曲肽50μg/h对防止静脉曲张再出血更合理。     

肝硬化食管静脉曲张出血内镜治疗后早期再出血的危险因素分析

目的探讨内镜治疗肝硬化食管静脉曲张破裂出血(EVB)后早期再出血的危险因素。 方法回顾分析2016年8月至2018年8月因肝硬化食管静脉曲张(EV)首次出血就诊于包头医学院二附院并采用内镜下治疗的患者资料,依据术后6周内是否再出血分再出血组和未出血组,对两组患者的一般资料、肝功能、血常规、凝血、门静脉血栓、门静脉异常分流等情况进行单因素分析,探讨内镜治疗EV术后早期再出血的危险因素。 结果(1)入组患者共450例,治疗后6周内出血27例,止血成功率94%;(2)单因素分析AST、GGT、TBIL、ALB、PTA、TG、肝功能、Child-Pugh分级、EV程度、门静脉血栓、门静脉异常分流在出血和未出血组之间的差异具有统计学意义;(3)多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示AST等是影响EV术后再出血的危险因素;ALB、门静脉异常分流是影响EV术后再出血的保护因素(P<0.05)。 结论AST、GGT、PTA、TG、肝功能Child-Pugh分级、EV程度、门静脉血栓是影响EV术再出血的危险因素;ALB、门静脉异常分流是影响EV术后早期再出血的保护因素。     

质子泵抑制剂用于肝硬化患者的疗效评估

目的观察质子泵抑制剂(PPI)对肝硬化患者临床症状、肝功能的影响。方法比较32例肝硬化患者PPI治疗前后肝功能、凝血功能、肝脏影像学、临床症状、并发症及不良反应等,分析PPI用于肝硬化的疗效。结果 PPI治疗后患者临床症状明显缓解,治疗前后症状对比为腹水为20例vs 4例(P=0.000),乏力为27例vs 10例(P=0.000),纳差为21例vs 6例(P=0.001)。门静脉内径较治疗前显著减小(后前对比):13.00 mm±1.08 mm vs 13.70 mm±1.38 mm(P=0.000)。PPI治疗后Child-Pugh评分较治疗前明显改善:Child A级为20例vs 10例,Child B级为10例vs 18例,Child C级为2例vs 4例(P=0.002)。PPI治疗1周前后ALT:44.30 u/L±22.72 u/L vs 36.02 u/L±22.63 u/L(P=0.001)。ALB较治疗前升高,TBIL下降,但差异均无统计学意义。观察期内,发生自发性腹膜炎者2例,并发肝肾综合征2例,其中1例死亡;发生肝性脑病者4例经治疗后均好转。结论 PPI用于肝硬化治疗,可减少肝功能损害、减轻门脉高压症及缓解临床症状;肝硬化患者应用PPI并不增加本病并发症的发生率,亦未见其他明显不良反应可能有益。     

Indocyanine green retention is a potential prog-nostic indicator after splenectomy and pericar-dial devascularization for cirrhotic patients

BACKGROUND: Splenectomy and pericardial devasculariza-tion (SPD) is an effective treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and hypersplenism in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. Indocyanine green retention at 15 minutes (ICGR15) was reported to offer better sensitivity and speciifc-ity than the Child-Pugh classiifcation in hepatectomy, but few reports describe ICGR15 in SPD. The present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of ICGR15 for cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension who underwent SPD.
METHODS: From January 2012 to January 2015, 43 patients with portal hypertension and hypersplenism caused by liver cirrhosis were admitted in our center and received SPD. The ICGR15, Child-Pugh classiifcation, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and perioperative characteristics were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS: Preoperative liver function assessment revealed that 34 patients were Child-Pugh class A with ICGR15 of 13.6%-43.0% and MELD score of 7-20; 8 patients were class B with ICGR15 of 22.8%-40.7% and MELD score of 7-17; 1 patient was class C with ICGR15 of 39.7% and MELD score of 22. The optimal ICGR15 threshold for liver function com-pensation was 31.2%, which offered a sensitivity of 68.4% and a speciifcity of 70.8%. Univariate analysis showed preopera-tive ICGR15, MELD score, surgical procedure, intraoperative blood loss, and autologous blood transfusion were signiifcant-ly different between postoperative liver function compensated and decompensated groups. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that ICGR15 was an independent risk factor of post-operative liver function recovery (P=0.020).
CONCLUSIONS: ICGR15 has outperformed the Child-Pugh classiifcation for assessing liver function in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. ICGR15 may be a suitable prognos-tic indicator for cirrhotic patients after SPD.     

门静脉高压患者门静脉压力与血流动力学的相关性研究

目的 探讨门静脉高压患者门静脉血流动力学的变化特点及其与门静脉压力的相互关系。方法 采用彩色多普勒超声对４１例肝硬化门静脉高压患者（Ｃｈｉｌｄ Ａ、Ｂ级３１例、Ｃ级１０例）于手术前检测门静脉（ＰＶ）、脾静脉（ＳＶ）和肠系膜上静脉（ＳＭＶ）的内径和血流速度，再计算出相关的面积和血流量；于手术时对３１例ＣｈｉｌｄＡ十Ｂ级患者直接测量门静脉压力。３２例健康人和２６例慢性乙型肝炎患者（慢肝组）作为对照。结累 门静脉高压两组患者ＰＶ、ＳＶ和ＳＭＶ内径（ｃｍ）分别为１．５１和１．５２、１．３２和１．３４及１．１５和１．１５较慢肝组和正常组明显增宽，ｒ分别为１．３１和１．１６、０．９６和０．７９及０．９１和０．８２（Ｐ＜０．０１）；血流速度较正常组和慢肝组明显减慢（Ｐ＜０．０１）；门静脉高压Ｃ级组门静脉血流速度（ｃｍ／ｓ）为４．６５较门静脉高压Ａ十Ｂ级组（６．４２）明显减慢（Ｐ＜０．０１），而两组 ＳＶ和 ＳＭＶ的血流速度则差异无显著意义（Ｐ＞０．０５）；门静脉高压 Ａ＋Ｂ级组三条静脉的血流量明显大于正常组和慢肝组（Ｐ＜０．０１或Ｐ＜０．０５）；门静脉高压Ｃ级组门静脉血流量明显小于Ａ十Ｂ级组（Ｐ＜０．０１）；而ＳＶ和ＳＭＶ的血流     

肝硬化患者门静脉高压性胃病发病因素的研究

背景：门静脉高压性胃病是肝硬化患者上消化道出血的原因之一．但其发病机制目前尚不完全清楚。目的：探讨肝硬化患者门静脉高压性胃病的发生与肝硬化分级、食管胃底静脉曲张程度、腹水量和胃肠激素血管活性肠肽（VIP）水平的关系。方法：45例肝硬化患者行胃镜检查观察食管胃底静脉曲张程度和胃黏膜改变．行腹部B超检查观察腹水量，同时检测血清白蛋白、总胆红素、胆碱酯酶、凝血酶原时间等肝功能指标和血浆VIP水平。结果：Child—Pugh A、B、C级肝硬化患者、不同程度食管胃底静脉曲张患者以及不同程度腹水患者之间的门静脉高压性胃病发生率均无显著差异（P〉0．05）。但肝硬化伴门静脉高压性胃病患者的血浆VIP水平较无门静脉高压性胃病者显著升高（P〈0．001）。结论：门静脉高压是门静脉高压性胃病的必要条件，而其他因素．如血浆VIP水平与门静脉高压性胃病的发生也有一定关系。     

Impact of cirrhosis on surgical outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy

AIM:To elucidate surgical outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD)in patients with liver cirrhosis.METHODS:We studied retrospectively all patients who underwent PD in our centre between January 2002and December 2011.Group A comprised patients with cirrhotic livers,and Group B comprised patients with non-cirrhotic livers.The cirrhotic patients had ChildPugh classes A and B(patient’s score less than 8).Preoperative demographic data,intra-operative data and postoperative details were collected.The primary outcome measure was hospital mortality rate.Secondary outcomes analysed included duration of the operation,postoperative hospital stay,postoperative morbidity and survival rate.RESULTS:Only 67/442 patients(15.2%)had cirrhotic livers.Intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion were significantly higher in group A(P=0.0001).The mean surgical time in group A was significantly longer than that in group B(P=0.0001).Wound complications(P=0.02),internal haemorrhage(P=0.05),pancreatic fistula(P=0.02)and hospital mortality(P=0.0001)were significantly higher in the cirrhotic patients.Postoperative stay was significantly longer in group A(P=0.03).The median survival was 19 mo in group A and 24 mo in group B.Portal hypertension(PHT)was present in 16/67 cases of cirrhosis(23.9%).The intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion were significantly higher in patients with PHT(P=0.001).Postoperative morbidity(0.07)and hospital mortality(P=0.007)were higher in cirrhotic patients with PHT.CONCLUSION:Patients with periampullary tumours and well-compensated chronic liver disease should be routinely considered for PD at high volume centres with available expertise to manage liver cirrhosis.PD is associated with an increased risk of postoperative morbidity in patients with liver cirrhosis;therefore,it is only recommended in patients with Child A cirrhosis without portal hypertension.