Propranolol in the prevention of first upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and esophageal varices

We conducted a prospective, randomized, multicenter, single-blind trial of propranolol as compared with placebo in the prevention of first upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. A total of 230 patients (90 percent with alcoholism and 46 percent with a Child-Pugh grade C classification) with large esophageal varices without previous bleeding were randomly assigned to receive either propranolol (n = 118) or placebo (n = 112), after they had been divided into two groups according to the severity of their liver disease. The end points of the study were bleeding and death. The dose of propranolol was progressively increased to decrease the heart rate by 20 to 25 percent. The final doses were 40 mg of conventional propranolol and 160 and 320 mg of long-acting propranolol daily in 22 percent, 60 percent, and 18 percent of patients, respectively. The mean (+/- SD) follow-up time among survivors without bleeding was 436 +/- 172 days. The cumulative percentages of patients free of bleeding two years after inclusion in the study were 74 percent (95 percent confidence limits, 61 and 83) in the propranolol group and 39 percent (95 percent confidence limits, 15 and 69) in the placebo group (P less than 0.05). Cumulative two-year survival was 72 percent (95 percent confidence limits, 60 and 81) in the propranolol group and 51 percent (95 percent confidence limits, 37 and 64) in the placebo group (P less than 0.05). The advantage of propranolol over placebo was maintained when potentially confounding variables were adjusted with use of the Cox model. Side effects occurred in 17 percent of the patients who received propranolol and led to the stopping of treatment in 11 percent. We conclude that propranolol can decrease the incidence of first bleeding and death during a period of two years in patients with cirrhosis and large varices.     

Endoscopic sclerotherapy as compared with endoscopic ligation for bleeding esophageal varices.

BACKGROUND. Endoscopic sclerotherapy is an accepted treatment for bleeding esophageal varices, but it is associated with substantial local and systemic complications. Endoscopic ligation, a new form of endoscopic treatment for bleeding varices, may be safer. We compared the effectiveness and safety of the two techniques. METHODS. In this randomized trial we compared endoscopic sclerotherapy and endoscopic ligation in 129 patients with cirrhosis who had proved bleeding from esophageal varices. Sixty-five patients were treated with sclerotherapy, and 64 with ligation. Initial treatment for acute bleeding was followed by elective retreatment to eradicate varices. The patients were followed for a mean of 10 months, during which we determined the incidence of complications and recurrences of bleeding, the number of treatments needed to eradicate varices, and survival. RESULTS. Active bleeding at the first treatment was controlled by sclerotherapy in 10 of 13 patients (77 percent) and by ligation in 12 of 14 patients (86 percent). Slightly more sclerotherapy-treated patients had recurrent hemorrhage during the study (48 percent vs. 36 percent for the ligation-treated patients, P = 0.072). The eradication of varices required a lower mean (+/- SD) number of treatments with ligation (4 +/- 2 vs. 5 +/- 2, P = 0.056) than with sclerotherapy. The mortality rate was significantly higher in the sclerotherapy group (45 percent vs. 28 percent, P = 0.041), as was the rate of complications (22 percent vs. 2 percent, P less than 0.001). The complications of sclerotherapy were predominantly esophageal strictures, pneumonias, and other infections. CONCLUSIONS. Patients with cirrhosis who have bleeding esophageal varices have fewer treatment-related complications and better survival rates when they are treated by esophageal ligation than when they are treated by sclerotherapy.     

Comparison of endoscopic ligation and propranolol for the primary prevention of variceal bleeding

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: We compared propranolol therapy and endoscopic ligation for the primary prevention of bleeding from esophageal varices. This prospective, controlled trial included consecutive eligible patients who had large varices (>5 mm in diameter) that were at high risk for bleeding. The patients were assigned to either propranolol therapy, at a dose sufficient to decrease the base-line heart rate by 25 percent, or variceal ligation, to be performed weekly until the varices were obliterated or so reduced in size that it was not possible to continue treatment. RESULTS: Of the 89 patients, 82 of whom had cirrhosis of the liver, 44 received propranolol and 45 underwent variceal ligation. The mean (+/-SD) duration of follow-up in each group was 14+/-9 and 13+/-10 months, respectively. The mean time required to achieve an adequate reduction in the heart rate was 2.5+/-1.7 days; the mean number of sessions needed to complete variceal ligation was 3.2+/-1.1. After 18 months, the actuarial probability of bleeding was 43 percent in the propranolol group and 15 percent in the ligation group (P=0.04). Twelve patients in the propranolol group and four in the ligation group had bleeding. Three of the four in the ligation group had bleeding before their varices had been obliterated. Nine patients in the ligation group had recurrent varices, a mean of 3.7 months after the initial treatment. Five patients in each group died; bleeding from the varices was the cause of death of four patients in the propranolol group and of three in the ligation group. There were no serious complications of variceal ligation; in the propranolol group, treatment was stopped in two patients because of side effects. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with high-risk esophageal varices, endoscopic ligation of the varices is safe and more effective than propranolol for the primary prevention of variceal bleeding.     

Endoscopic ligation compared with combined treatment with nadolol and isosorbide mononitrate to prevent recurrent variceal bleeding

BACKGROUND: After an episode of acute bleeding from esophageal varices, patients are at high risk for recurrent bleeding and death. We compared two treatments to prevent recurrent bleeding--endoscopic ligation and combined medical therapy with nadolol and isosorbide mononitrate. METHODS: We randomly assigned 144 patients with cirrhosis who were hospitalized with esophageal variceal bleeding to receive treatment with endoscopic ligation (72 patients) or the combined medical therapy (72 patients). Sessions of ligation were repeated every two to three weeks until the varices were eradicated. The initial dose of nadolol was 80 mg orally once daily, with adjustment according to the resting heart rate; isosorbide mononitrate was given in increasing doses, beginning at 20 mg once a day at bed time and rising over the course of one week to 40 mg orally twice a day, unless side effects occurred. The primary end points were recurrent bleeding, complications, and death. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 21 months. A total of 35 patients in the ligation group and 24 in the medication group had recurrent bleeding. The probability of recurrence was lower in the medication group, both for all episodes related to portal hypertension (P=0.04) and for recurrent variceal bleeding (P=0.04). There were major complications in nine patients treated with ligation (seven had bleeding esophageal ulcers and two had aspiration pneumonia) and two treated with medication (both had bradycardia and dyspnea) (P=0.05). Thirty patients in the ligation group died, as did 23 patients in the medication group (P=0.52). The probability of recurrent bleeding was lower for patients with a hemodynamic response to therapy, defined as a decrease in the hepatic venous pressure gradient of more than 20 percent from the base-line value or to less than 12 mm Hg (18 percent, vs. 54 percent in patients with no hemodynamic response at one year; P<0.001), and the probability of survival was higher (94 percent vs. 78 percent at one year, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Combined therapy with nadolol and isosorbide mononitrate is more effective than endoscopic ligation for the prevention of recurrent bleeding and is associated with a lower rate of major complications. A hemodynamic response to treatment is associated with a better long-term prognosis.     

Early administration of vapreotide for variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND: In patients with cirrhosis, pharmacologic or endoscopic treatment may control variceal bleeding. However, the effects of early administration of a somatostatin analogue followed by endoscopic treatment are unknown. METHODS: We studied the effects of treatment with vapreotide, a somatostatin analogue, begun before endoscopic treatment in 227 patients with cirrhosis who were hospitalized for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The patients were randomly assigned to receive vapreotide (a 50-microg intravenous bolus followed by an infusion at a rate of 50 microg per hour for five days) or placebo within a mean (+/-SD) of 2.3+/-1.5 hours after admission. All the patients received endoscopic treatment a mean of 2.6+/-3.3 hours after the infusion was begun. After the exclusion of 31 patients whose bleeding was not caused by portal hypertension, there were 98 patients in each group. RESULTS: At the time of endoscopy, active bleeding was evident in 28 of 91 patients in the vapreotide group (31 percent), as compared with 43 of 93 patients in the placebo group (46 percent) (P=0.03). During the five-day infusion, the primary objective--survival and control of bleeding--was achieved in 65 of 98 patients in the vapreotide group (66 percent) as compared with 49 of 98 patients in the placebo group (50 percent) (P=0.02). The patients in the vapreotide group received significantly fewer blood transfusions (2.0+/-2.2 vs. 2.8+/-2.8 units, P=0.04). Overall mortality rates at 42 days were not significantly different in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cirrhosis and variceal bleeding, the combination of vapreotide and endoscopic treatment is more effective than endoscopic treatment alone as a method of controlling acute bleeding. However, the use of combination therapy does not affect mortality rates at 42 days.     

Prophylactic sclerotherapy before the first episode of variceal hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis

The value of sclerotherapy as prophylaxis against the first episode of variceal hemorrhage has not been established. Therefore, we randomly assigned 133 patients with cirrhosis of the liver (of alcoholic origin in 66 percent), esophageal varices, and no previous intestinal bleeding to either prophylactic sclerotherapy (n = 68) or no prophylaxis (n = 65). The groups were comparable in hepatic function, endoscopic findings, and the pathogenesis of cirrhosis. All patients who subsequently had a first episode of variceal hemorrhage received sclerotherapy whenever possible. During a median follow-up of 22 months, variceal hemorrhage occurred in 28 percent of the patients receiving sclerotherapy and 37 percent of the controls (P = 0.3). Thirty-five percent of the sclerotherapy group and 46 percent of the control group died. The survival curves (Kaplan-Meier) of both groups were similar (P = 0.2). However, among patients with alcoholic and moderately decompensated cirrhosis (Child-Pugh group B), survival was significantly higher in those receiving sclerotherapy, although the risk of bleeding was only marginally reduced by this procedure. We conclude that prophylactic sclerotherapy does not significantly reduce the risk of bleeding from esophageal varices, but that a subgroup of patients with esophageal varices and moderately decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis may benefit from prophylactic sclerotherapy because of factors not solely attributable to prevention of an initial episode of variceal bleeding.     

Long-term effects of beta-adrenergic blockade with nadolol on hepatic and renal haemodynamics and function in cirrhotics

Non-cardioselective beta-blockers are used for prevention of re-bleeding from oesophageal varices in cirrhotics with portal hypertension. Nadolol, a non-cardioselective beta-blocker with a low liposolubility and a low hepatic metabolism, has been demonstrated to decrease portal pressure in cirrhotic patients. Since cirrhotics need long-term treatment, we investigated long-term effects of beta-adrenergic blockade with nadolol on hepatic and renal haemodynamics and function in a group of patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. In 19 patients with cirrhosis, after one and six months of treatment with nadolol hepatic venous pressure gradient showed a significant and persistent decrease, averaging 19% and 22%, respectively. Hepatic function and renal haemodynamics and function remained unaffected. Oesophageal varices severity was lowered in 11/19 patients after one month, in 9/16 after six months, in 8/14 after 12 months and in 5/10 after 18 months. Our results showed that, also after long-term treatment, nadolol decreases portal pressure and, in approximately 50% of patients, oesophageal varices severity, without side-effects on liver and renal function.     

Multipolar electrocoagulation in the treatment of active upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage. A prospective controlled trial

The benefit of nonsurgical therapy in the treatment of active nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage is uncertain. I performed a prospective controlled trial of endoscopic multipolar electrocoagulation for active upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Patients were considered for entry if they had a bloody nasogastric aspirate, melena, or hematochezia, and any of the following: unstable vital signs, a requirement of greater than or equal to 2 units of blood per 12 hours, or a drop in hematocrit of greater than or equal to 6 percent in 12 hours. Forty-four patients were randomly assigned to receive multipolar electrocoagulation or sham multipolar electrocoagulation if endoscopy revealed active bleeding from an ulcer (24 patients), a Mallory-Weiss tear (17), or a vascular malformation (3). The group receiving multipolar electrocoagulation did significantly better in terms of hemostasis (90 percent vs. 13 percent, P less than 0.0001), mean (+/- SE) transfusion requirements (2.4 +/- 0.9 vs. 5.4 +/- 0.9 U; P = 0.002), mean number of hospital days (4.4 +/- 0.8 vs. 7.2 +/- 1.1, P = 0.02), and percentage needing emergency surgery or another intervention (14 vs. 57 percent, P = 0.01). Although mortality was lower in the group receiving multipolar electrocoagulation (0 vs. 13 percent), this difference was not statistically significant. The mean cost of hospitalization for treated patients was less than half that for the controls ($ 3,420 +/- 750 vs. $ 7,550 +/- 1,480, P = 0.001). I conclude that multipolar electrocoagulation markedly improves the hospital course in patients with major, nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.     

Prophylactic sclerotherapy of large esophageal varices

We randomly assigned 95 patients with large esophageal varices (Grade 3 or 4) who had not previously had upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding to two groups: 49 received intravariceal sclerotherapy, and 46 were followed as controls. Over a mean follow-up of 13 months there was no difference between the sclerotherapy group and the control group in mortality (24.4 percent) or any significant difference in average hospital stay per month (3.0 vs. 2.6 days). Sclerotherapy was associated with significantly more episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (26 vs. 10 episodes, P less than 0.05); 75 percent of deaths in the sclerotherapy group were related to bleeding, as compared with 18 percent in the control group. An additional 54 patients with cirrhosis who did not qualify for the study were also followed--20 with small varices and 34 with none. Mortality was 20 and 15 percent, respectively; no deaths were due to bleeding. We conclude that prophylactic sclerotherapy does not provide clinical benefit to patients with large esophageal varices.     

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis

Patients with liver cirrhosis may develop upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage from a variety of lesions, which include those that arise by virtue of portal hypertension, namely gastroesophageal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy and other lesions seen in the general population. Do patients with liver cirrhosis, hemorrhage from varices and other lesions equally, or are they more likely to bleed from varices? The aim of this study is to determine predominant causes of bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 40 patients with liver cirrhosis based on the clinical and biochemical parameters of the Child-Pugh score, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding was carried out at an inner city hospital. Endoscopy diagnoses were documented. RESULTS: Of 40 patients, 38 patients had cirrhosis associated with alcohol consumption. Twelve of the above 38 patients who consumed alcohol also had hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Eleven patients had only varices on endoscopic examination, 17 had varices plus coexisting lesions. From these 17 patients, nine were found to have bled from varices, and eight were found to have bled from coexisting lesions. Twelve patients who had no varices bled from other lesions. Of 40 patients, 28 had varices, and 20 actually bled from varices. In this study there was no correlation between severity of liver cirrhosis as determined by the Child-Pugh score and the absence or presence of varices. CONCLUSION: Patients with liver cirrhosis and upper gastrointestinal bleeding hemorrhage from a variety of lesions. In this study of 40 patients, (70%) had gastroesophageal varices diagnosed at upper endoscopy, while 50% actually bled from varices.     

Endoscopic sclerotherapy versus portacaval shunt in patient with severe cirrhosis and acute variceal hemorrhage. Long-term follow-up

In a continuation of a trial for which preliminary results were reported in the Journal two years ago, a total of 64 patients with Child Class C cirrhosis and variceal hemorrhage requiring six or more units of blood were randomly assigned to receive either a portacaval shunt (32 patients) or endoscopic sclerotherapy (32 patients). The duration of initial hospitalization and the total amount of blood transfused during hospitalization were significantly less in the patients receiving sclerotherapy (P less than 0.001). There was no difference in short-term survival (50 percent of the sclerotherapy group were discharged alive, as compared with 44 percent of the shunt-surgery group). Both groups were followed for a mean of 530 days after randomization. Rebleeding from varices, the duration of rehospitalization for hemorrhage, and transfusions received after discharge were all significantly greater in the sclerotherapy group (P less than 0.001). Forty percent of the sclerotherapy-treated patients discharged alive (7 of 16 patients) ultimately required surgical treatment for bleeding varices, despite a mean of 6.1 treatment sessions. Health care costs and long-term survival did not differ significantly between the groups (P greater than 0.05). We conclude that although endoscopic sclerotherapy is as good as surgical shunting for the acute management of variceal hemorrhage in poor-risk patients with massive bleeding, sclerotherapy-treated patients in whom varices are not obliterated and bleeding continues should be considered for elective shunt surgery.     

食管胃底曲张静脉栓塞加脾动脉栓塞法治疗急诊肝硬化上消化道大出血

目的探讨应用经皮经肝食管胃底曲张静脉栓塞(PTVE)联合经皮部分性脾动脉栓塞(PSE)治疗肝硬化门脉高压所致的急诊上消化道大出血的有效性和安全性。方法回顾性分析36例肝硬化门脉高压(不合并肿瘤者)所致的急诊上消化道大出血患者,均急诊行NBCA胶加弹簧圈栓塞食管胃底曲张静脉治疗,再于一周后行部分性脾动脉栓塞术,分析36例病例的近期疗效(6~18月)、并发症,评价该方法的有效性和安全性。结果36例病例均应用NBCA胶和弹簧圈栓塞食管胃底曲张静脉,术中术后未出现重大手术并发症,术后跟踪随访6~24月,有4例患者出现上消化道出血复发,其中1例患者复发出现在介入栓塞后的第二天,再次行栓塞治疗后好转,余3例患者复发的上消化道出血均不严重,经内科保守治疗后恢复。结论NBCA胶配合弹簧圈栓塞食管胃底曲张静脉治疗肝硬化门脉高压所致的上消化道出血是有效的安全性,加用部分性脾动脉栓塞术可降低门静脉压力,提高单纯性食管胃底曲张静脉栓塞的疗效。     

A comparison of paracentesis and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting in patients with ascites

BACKGROUND: In patients with cirrhosis and ascites, creation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt may reduce the ascites and improve renal function. However, the benefit of this procedure as compared with that of large-volume paracentesis is uncertain. METHODS: We randomly assigned 60 patients with cirrhosis and refractory or recurrent ascites (Child-Pugh class B in 42 patients and class C in 18 patients) to treatment with a transjugular shunt (29 patients) or large-volume paracentesis (31 patients). The mean (+/-SD) duration of follow-up was 45+/-16 months among those assigned to shunting and 44+/-18 months among those assigned to paracentesis. The primary outcome was survival without liver transplantation. RESULTS: Among the patients in the shunt group, 15 died and 1 underwent liver transplantation during the study period, as compared with 23 patients and 2 patients, respectively, in the paracentesis group. The probability of survival without liver transplantation was 69 percent at one year and 58 percent at two years in the shunt group, as compared with 52 percent and 32 percent in the paracentesis group (P=0.11 for the overall comparison, by the log-rank test). In a multivariate analysis, treatment with transjugular shunting was independently associated with survival without the need for transplantation (P=0.02). At three months, 61 percent of the patients in the shunt group and 18 percent of those in the paracentesis group had no ascites (P=0.006). The frequency of hepatic encephalopathy was similar in the two groups. Of the patients assigned to paracentesis in whom this procedure was unsuccessful, 10 received a transjugular shunt a mean of 5.5+/-4 months after randomization; 4 had a response to this rescue treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with large-volume paracentesis, the creation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt can improve the chance of survival without liver transplantation in patients with refractory or recurrent ascites.     

Body cell mass is a useful parameter for assessing malnutrition and severity of disease in non-ascitic cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or esophageal varices

Body cell mass (BCM) is a nutritional parameter, however, changes in BCM in patients with non-ascitic liver cirrhosis (LC) in comparison to patients with other malnutritional diseases remains unclear. We investigated the difference in BCM between patients with LC and malnourished gastrointestinal disease controls (M.CON), and examined the relationship between BCM and the severity of LC. Results demonstrated that serum nutritional parameters were not significantly different between the LC (n=56) and M.CON groups (n=25), whereas BCM%BW was significantly lower in the LC group than in the M.CON group (50.9+/-4.6 vs. 54.4+/-7.1%, P=0.018). Furthermore, BCM%BW negatively correlated with the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (P=0.04). In concluson, BCM showed a significant decrease and a negative correlation with the MELD score in the LC group. BCM may be a useful parameter for assessing malnutrition and severity of LC.     

Influence of somatostatin on splanchnic haemodynamics in patients with liver cirrhosis

The influence of intravenous somatostatin infusion (7.6 micrograms/min) on systemic and splanchnic haemodynamics was examined in 10 patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. The hepatic vein catheter technique was employed and indocyanine green dye was injected to evaluate hepatic blood flow. Mean wedged hepatic venous pressure fell from 24.9 +/- 2.8 in the basal state to 21.4 +/- 3.2 mmHg (P less than 0.2) at 60 min of infusion and the mean arterial pressure decreased from 87 +/- 5 to 80 +/- 6 mmHg (P less than 0.05). The rate of indocyanine green dye disappearance decreased from 8.7 +/- 1.9 to 6.6 +/- 1.7%/min (P less than 0.001) during the infusion, indicating decreased hepatic blood flow. Arterial-hepatic venous oxygen differences rose from 69 +/- 11 to 78 +/- 11 ml/l. Blood glucose levels fell from 4.84 +/- 0.31 to 3.79 +/- 0.33 mmol/l at 60 min of infusion (P less than 0.005). It is concluded that a continuous infusion of somatostatin in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension causes a decreased hepatic blood flow with augmented hepatic oxygen extraction and a modest reduction in mean wedged hepatic venous pressure. In view of the magnitude of the observed haemodynamic changes the findings do not suggest an important role for somatostatin in the treatment of patients with bleeding oesophageal varices.     

双歧杆菌三联活菌对肝硬化胃食管静脉曲张出血的防治研究

目的研究双歧杆菌三联活菌的综合疗法对肝硬化胃食管静脉曲张出血的防治作用。方法临床收集120例肝硬化食管胃静脉曲张患者,按照随机数字方法分成2组,每组60例,其中对照组予以护肝、利尿、降低门脉高压、输注白蛋白和新鲜血浆等传统方法治疗;研究组则在上述治疗方法的基础上,同时给予双歧杆菌三联活菌和莫沙必利治疗。治疗后,比较分析两组患者的相关临床资料。结果治疗后,研究组的TNF-α、NO及LPS水平均较对照组显著降低（P〈0.05）,同时研究组的CO、CI、PVF及EVD大小也均较对照组显著减小（P〈0.05）。经比较,对照组与研究组的总有效率分别48.33%和81.67%,二者具有显著性差异（P〈0.05）。结论双歧杆菌三联活菌的综合疗法可以显著降低对门脉高压不利的相关细胞因子水平以及显著改善其血流动力学效应,对肝硬化食管胃静脉曲张出血具有很好的防治作用。     

A comparison of sclerotherapy with staple transection of the esophagus for the emergency control of bleeding from esophageal varices

We compared two procedures for the emergency treatment of bleeding esophageal varices in patients who did not respond to blood transfusion and vasoactive drugs. We randomly assigned 101 patients with cirrhosis of the liver and bleeding esophageal varices to undergo either emergency sclerotherapy (n = 50) or staple transection of the esophagus (n = 51). Four patients assigned to sclerotherapy and 12 assigned to staple transection did not actually undergo those procedures, but all analyses were made on an intention-to-treat basis. Total mortality did not differ significantly between the two groups; the relative risk of death for staple transection as compared with sclerotherapy was 0.88 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.51 to 1.54). Mortality at six weeks was 44 percent among those assigned to sclerotherapy and 35 percent among those assigned to staple transection. Complication rates were similar for the two groups. An interval of five days without bleeding was achieved in 88 percent of those assigned to staple transection and in 62 percent of those assigned to sclerotherapy after a single injection (P less than 0.01) and 82 percent after three injections. In only 2 of the 11 patients who received a third sclerotherapy injection was bleeding controlled for more than five days, and 9 died. We conclude that staple transection of the esophagus is as safe as sclerotherapy for the emergency treatment of bleeding esophageal varices and that it is more effective than a single sclerotherapy procedure. We currently recommend surgery after two injection treatments have failed.     

乙型肝炎肝硬化患者乙型肝炎病毒DNA水平与肝纤维化程度的关系

目的 探讨乙型肝炎肝硬化患者乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)DNA水平与肝纤维化程度的关系及其临床意义.方法 回顾性分析2004年至2006年本科室收治的263例乙型肝炎肝硬化住院患者的临床资料.所有患者均进行肝功能Child-Pugh分级,检测HBV DNA、HBV血清标志物、透明质酸(HA)、人Ⅲ型前胶原(Hpc-Ⅲ)、Ⅳ型胶原(Ⅳ-C)、层粘蛋白(LN);行腹部超声检测脾大小、门静脉内径、脾静脉内径;胃镜检查食管静脉曲张程度,并记录常见并发症.根据HBV DNA水平分为4组:G1组,HBV DNA＜103拷贝/ml;G2组,HBV DNA 103～＜105拷贝/ml;G3组,HBV DNA 105～＜107拷贝/ml;G4组,HBV DNA≥107拷贝/ml.比较各组间Child-Pugh分级、肝纤维化血清指标和门脉高压指标的差异以及各组肝硬化常见并发症的发生情况.结果 263例患者中217例(82.5%)HBV DNA阳性.不同HBV DNA水平患者之间的Child-Pugh评分分级、HA、Hpc-Ⅲ、Ⅳ-C、LN比较,差异无统计学意义(均P＞0.05).4组患者之间脾大小、门静脉内径、脾静脉内径及食管静脉曲张程度比较,差异无统计学意义(均P＞0.05).4组患者并发症如消化道出血、继发感染、腹水、肝性脑病、肝癌等发生率差异也无统计学意义(均P＞0.05).结论 绝大部分乙型肝炎肝硬化患者HBV DNA阳性,但血清HBV DNA水平高低与肝硬化严重程度及并发症的发生率无明显关联.     

Effect of intravenous albumin on renal impairment and mortality in patients with cirrhosis and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: In patients with cirrhosis and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, renal function frequently becomes impaired. This impairment is probably related to a reduction in effective arterial blood volume and is associated with a high mortality rate. We conducted a study to determine whether plasma volume expansion with intravenous albumin prevents renal impairment and reduces mortality in these patients. METHODS: We randomly assigned 126 patients with cirrhosis and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis to treatment with intravenous cefotaxime (63 patients) or cefotaxime and intravenous albumin (63 patients). Cefotaxime was given daily in dosages that varied according to the serum creatinine level, and albumin was given at a dose of 1.5 g per kilogram of body weight at the time of diagnosis, followed by 1 g per kilogram on day 3. Renal impairment was defined as nonreversible deterioration of renal function during hospitalization. RESULTS: The infection resolved in 59 patients in the cefotaxime group (94 percent) and 62 in the cefotaxime-plus-albumin group (98 percent) (P=0.36). Renal impairment developed in 21 patients in the cefotaxime group (33 percent) and 6 in the cefotaxime-plus-albumin group (10 percent) (P=0.002). Eighteen patients (29 percent) in the cefotaxime group died in the hospital, as compared with 6 (10 percent) in the cefotaxime-plus-albumin group (P=0.01); at three months, the mortality rates were 41 percent (a total of 26 deaths) and 22 percent (a total of 14 deaths), respectively (P=0.03). Patients treated with cefotaxime had higher levels of plasma renin activity than those treated with cefotaxime and albumin; patients with renal impairment had the highest values. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cirrhosis and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, treatment with intravenous albumin in addition to an antibiotic reduces the incidence of renal impairment and death in comparison with treatment with an antibiotic alone.     

Surgical disconnection of patent paraumbilical vein in refractory hepatic encephalopathy

BACKGROUND: Refractory hepatic encephalopathy (HE) frequently develops in patients with cirrhosis and portal-systemic shunt. Recently, patients with refractory HE associated with portal-systemic shunt have been treated with interventional radiology. We describe a promising new treatment for portal-systemic shunt, ligation of the patent paraumbilical vein (PUV) after partial splenic embolization, in patients with refractory HE. PATIENTS: Four patients with cirrhosis (3 women and 1 man; mean age, 56 years) and refractory HE due to a patent PUV were studied. Patency of the PUV had recurred in 1 patient after primary occlusion by interventional radiological procedures. The Child-Pugh class was B in 2 patients and C in 2. Before the present treatment, all patients had been hospitalized at least 3 times because of recurrent HE. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: Partial splenic embolization was performed in all patients to decrease portal venous pressure before surgery. Surgical ligation of the patent PUV was performed under epidural anesthesia. The patent PUV was carefully skeletonized and doubly ligated. Esophageal varices were evaluated with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy before and after surgery. RESULT: The mean follow-up duration was 15.8 months. After ligation, there were no clinically significant complications. Esophageal varices were unchanged. The serum ammonia level was higher before surgery (162.3 +/- 56.4 mug/dL, mean +/- SD) than after surgery (41.8 +/- 20.2 mug/dL; p=0.0299). No patient had symptoms of HE. CONCLUSION: Ligation of the patent PUV is an effective treatment for patients with refractory HE.