Artificial Liver Support System Improves Short- and Long-Term Outcomes of Patients With HBV-Associated Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure: A Single-Center Experience

For patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), artificial liver support system (ALSS) may help prolong lifespan and function as a bridge to liver transplantation (LT), but data on its long-term benefit are lacking. We conducted this prospective, controlled study to determine the efficacy of ALSS and the predictors of mortality in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated ACLF.From January 2003 to December 2007, a total of 234 patients with HBV-associated ACLF not eligible for LT were enrolled in our study. They were allocated to receive either plasma exchange centered ALSS plus standard medical therapy (SMT) (ALSS group, n = 104) or SMT alone (control group, n = 130). All the patients were followed-up for at least 5 years, or until death.At 90 days, the survival rate of ALSS group was higher than that of the control group (62/104 [60%] vs 61/130 [47%], respectively; P < 0.05). Median survival was 879 days in the ALSS group (43% survival at 5 years) and 649 days in the control group (31% survival at 5 years, log-rank P < 0.05). ALSS was found to be associated with favorable outcome of these patients by both univariate and multivariate analysis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis also revealed that lower serum sodium levels, higher grades of encephalopathy, presence of cirrhosis, hepatorenal syndrome, and higher model for end-stage liver disease scores were independent predictors for both 90-day and 5-year mortality due to ACLF.Our findings suggest that ALSS is safe and may improve the short- and long-term prognosis of patients with HBV-associated ACLF.     

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients With Hepatitis B Virus-Related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF); however, few studies concerning the risk factors and recovery patterns of renal function have been published.

Development and Validation of a Nomogram for 90-day Outcome in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-related Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure

Background and AimsIt is challenging to predict the 90-day outcomes of patients infected with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) via prevailing predictive models. This study aimed to develop an innovative model to enhance the analytical efficacy of 90-day mortality in HBV-ACLF.MethodsIn this study, 149 HBV-ACLF patients were evaluated by constructing a death risk prediction nomogram. Bootstrap resampling and an independent validation cohort comprising 31 patients from June 2019 to February 2020 were assessed for model confirmation.ResultsThe nomogram was constructed by entering and identifying five factors (age, total bilirubin, prothrombin activity (PTA), lymphocyte (L)%, and monocyte (M)%. Healthy refinement was achieved from the nomogram analysis, where the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.864 for the training cohort and 0.874 was achieved for the validation cohort. There was admirable concordance between the predicted and true results in the equilibrium curve. The decision curve assessment revealed the useful clinical application of the nomogram.ConclusionsWe constructed an innovative nomogram and validated it for the prediction of 90-day HBV-ACLF patient outcomes. This model might help develop optimized treatment protocol recommendations for HBV-ACLF patients.     

A Prognostic Nomogram with High Accuracy Based on 2D-SWE in Patients with Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure

Background and AimsAcute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is associated with very high mortality. Accurate prediction of prognosis is critical in navigating optimal treatment decisions to improve patient survival. This study was aimed to develop a new nomogram integrating two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) values with other independent prognostic factors to improve the precision of predicting ACLF patient outcomes.MethodsA total of 449 consecutive patients with ACLF were recruited and randomly allocated to a training cohort (n=315) or a test cohort (n=134). 2D-SWE values, conventional ultrasound features, laboratory tests, and other clinical characteristics were included in univariate and multivariate analysis. Factors with prognostic value were then used to construct a novel prognostic nomogram. Receiver operating curves (ROCs) were generated to evaluate and compare the performance of the novel and published models including the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), MELD combined with sodium (MELD-Na), and Jin’s model. The model was validated in a prospective cohort (n=102).ResultsA ACLF prognostic nomogram was developed with independent prognostic factors, including 2D-SWE, age, total bilirubin (TB), neutrophils (Neu), and the international normalized ratio (INR). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.849 for the new model in the training cohort and 0.861 in the prospective validation cohort, which were significantly greater than those for MELD (0.758), MELD-Na (0.750), and Jin’s model (0.777, all p <0.05). Calibration curve analysis revealed good agreement between the predicted and observed probabilities. The new nomogram had superior overall net benefit and clinical utility.ConclusionsWe established and validated a 2D-SWE-based noninvasive nomogram to predict the prognosis of ACLF patients that was more accurate than other prognostic models.     

MELD评分联合中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值对HBV相关慢加急性肝衰竭短期预后的预测价值

目的探讨MELD评分系统结合中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值(NLR)对预测HBV相关慢加急性肝衰竭(HBV-ACLF)短期预后的价值。方法回顾性分析2014年6月-2016年12月西南医科大学附属医院收治的133例HBV-ACLF患者,根据3个月的预后情况分为死亡组(n=72)和存活组(n=61)。在入院24 h内测定患者NLR和肝肾功能、凝血指标,并进行MELD评分。计量资料2组间比较采用t检验,多因素二分类logistic回归分析各相关因素与HBV-ACLF患者疾病转归的关系。绘制受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)分析MELD评分联合NLR的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)以评价二者结合对HBV-ACLF患者短期预后的预测价值。结果死亡组年龄、TBil、血清肌酐(Cr)、PT、国际标准化比值、MELD评分、NLR均大于存活组,PTA小于存活组,差异均有统计学意义(t值分别为-5.888、-2.064、-3.707、-3.517、-3.410、-5.908、-2.830、4.169,P值均<0.05)。年龄、Cr、MELD评分与NLR为预测HBV-ACLF患者预后的危险因素[比值比(OR)分别为1.110、1.092、1.305、1.289,P值均<0.05],PTA为预测HBV-ACLF患者预后的保护因素(OR=0.872,P<0.05)。MELD评分较NLR的AUC高,分别为0.777和0.680,PTA的AUC为0.304,NLR联合MELD评分的AUC为0.843,当PTA=35%,MELD评分为23.29分,NLR为2.06时,对应的Youden指数最大,分别是0.32、0.28和0.43。当MELD评分>23.29,且NLR>2.06时,死亡概率为92.6%。结论 MELD评分联合NLR对HBVACLF患者短期预后的预测具有更好的价值。     

Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Small-bowel Angioectasia in Systemic Sclerosis Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study

Objective Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is defined as an autoimmune disease presenting with fibrosis of various organs and vascular endothelial damage. Vascular lesions, including small-bowel angioectasias, are also frequently detected in SSc patients. Polidocanol injection (PDI) is a safe and effective hemostatic treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding. We evaluated the outcomes of PDI for small-bowel angioectasia in SSc patients. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 65 consecutive SSc patients (61 women; mean age, 64.3 years old) who underwent capsule endoscopy (CE) and/or double-balloon endoscopy at Hiroshima University Hospital between April 2012 and December 2019. Patients Patients were stratified according to the presence of small-bowel angioectasia. Among patients who underwent CE during the same period, those with small-bowel angioectasia without concomitant diseases were compared with SSc patients with small-bowel angioectasia. Clinical and endoscopic characteristics, treatment outcomes, and the incidence of metachronous small-bowel angioectasia after PDI were evaluated. Results SSc patients with small-bowel angioectasia exhibited significantly lower hemoglobin levels and a significantly higher incidence of skin telangiectasia than those without small-bowel angioectasia. On a multivariate analysis of the presence of small-bowel angioectasia, anemia and skin telangiectasia were significant independent factors. SSc patients with small-bowel angioectasia included a higher proportion of women and exhibited a significantly higher incidence of metachronous small-bowel angioectasia than X. The characteristics of small-bowel angioectasia and outcomes of PDI were not significantly different between the two groups. No post-treatment rebleeding cases or adverse events were noted. Conclusion CE should be performed for SSc patients with anemia and/or skin telangiectasia. PDI is effective for SSc patients with small-bowel angioectasia.     

Hemodynamic Studies in Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure

Background Patients with decompensated cirrhosis and acute liver failure have circulatory dysfunctions leading to high portal pressure and cardiac output (CO) and low systemic vascular resistance (SVR). Circulatory changes in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) patients have not been studied. We studied the portal, systemic, and pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with ACLF and compared them with compensated and decompensated cirrhotics. Patients and Methods Clinical features and hemodynamic profile were studied in patients with ACLF and compared with age- and sex-matched compensated and decompensated cirrhotics with portal hypertension. Results The study cohort comprised 144 patients categorized into one of three groups (ACLF, compensated cirrhosis, and decompensated cirrhosis), with 48 (33%) patients in each group. All values are given as the mean ± standard deviation, except for frequencies (%). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and SVR were lower in the ACLF than the compensated group and were similar to those of the decompensated group (MAP 90 ± 16 vs. 99 ± 15 vs. 96 ± 16 mmHg; SVR 912 ± 435 vs. 1350 ± 449 vs. 891 ± 333 dyn s/cm⁵). The mean CO of the ACLF patients was higher than that of the compensated group and similar to that of the decompensated group (CO 8.9 ± 3.5 vs. 6.1 ± 1.7 vs. 9.0 ± 3.0 l/min). The pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures (PCWP) were similar in all the three groups (PVR 78 ± 48 vs. 109 ± 70 vs. 61 ± 47 dyn s/cm⁵; PCWP 8 ± 4 vs. 8 ± 4 vs. 10 ± 5 mmHg). The mean hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) in the ACLF group was 15.1 ± 6.3 mmHg, which was significantly higher than that of the compensated group (11.7 ± 6.3 mmHg), but lower than that of the decompensated cirrhosis group (20.2 ± 6.0 mmHg). When patients of ACLF were categorized on the basis of their variceal size, the mean HVPG in ACLF patients with small varices was similar to that of compensated cirrhotics (13.7 ± 5.7 vs. 11.7 ± 6.3 mmHg; P = 0.146), while in the ACLF patients with large varices, the HVPG was comparable to that of the decompensated cirrhotics (18.7 ± 6.6 vs. 20.2 ± 6.0 mmHg; P = 0.442). Conclusions The systemic hemodynamics in patients with ACLF is similar to that in decompensated cirrhotics. The portal pressure in these patients is higher than that in the compensated cirrhotics, and in the subgroup with large varices, it becomes similar to that of decompensated cirrhotics.     

Clinical Course and Outcome Patterns of Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

Background and AimsAcute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is acute decompensation of liver function in the setting of chronic liver disease, and characterized by high short-term mortality. In this study, we sought to investigate the clinical course of patients at specific time points, and to propose dynamic prognostic criteria.MethodsWe assessed the clinical course of 453 patients with ACLF during a 12-week follow-up period in this retrospective multicenter study. The clinical course of patients was defined as disease recovery, improvement, worsening or steady patterns based on the variation tendency in prothrombin activity (PTA) and total bilirubin (TB) at different time points.ResultsResolution of PTA was observed in 231 patients (51%) at 12 weeks after the diagnosis of ACLF. Among the remaining patients, 66 (14.6%) showed improvement and 156 (34.4%) showed a steady or worsening course. In patients with resolved PTA, the clinical course of TB exhibited resolved pattern in 95.2%, improved in 3.9%, and steady or worse in 0.8%. Correspondingly, in patients with improved PTA, these values for TB were 28.8%, 27.3%, and 43.9%, respectively. In patients with steady or worsening PTA, these values for TB were 5.7%, 32.3%, and 65.6%, respectively. Dynamic prognostic criteria were developed by combining the clinical course of PTA/TB and the clinical outcomes at 4 and 12 weeks after diagnosis in ACLF patients.ConclusionsWe propose the following dynamic prognostic criteria: rapid progression, slow progression, rapid recovery, slow recovery, and slow persistence, which lay the foundation for precise prediction of prognosis and the improvement of ACLF therapy.     

Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure in a Patient with Candida Endophthalmitis: A Case Report

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a risk factor for fungal infection. Endogenous fungal endophthalmitis is a serious, sight-threatening disease. Common causes include immunocompromised state and intravenous drug use, permitting opportunistic pathogens to reach the eye through the blood stream. We report a case of Candida endophthalmitis in a 47 year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital with ACLF and poorly controlled diabetes. In addition, she was treated with glucocorticoids due to severe jaundice. After treatment for ACLF, the patient experienced fever with blurred vision in the left eye and was diagnosed with candidemia, endogenous Candida endophthalmitis in the left eye, and chorioretinitis in the right eye. Systemic and topical antifungal treatment was administered based on the positive Candida albicans test in intraocular fluid using second-generation sequencing. The patient underwent vitrectomy in the left eye and C. albicans was confirmed in vitreous cultures. Follow-up visit, at 6 weeks after the operation, showed only light perception in the left eye and stable visual acuity in the right eye. Physicians should be aware of endogenous fungal endophthalmitis in patients with ACLF, especially those with Candida infection, a history of glucocorticoid use, and diabetes. A dilated retinal examination should be performed by an ophthalmologist if ACLF patients develop fever and fungal infection.     

The Seroconversion Rate of Hepatitis A Virus Vaccination among Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-Related Chronic Liver Disease in Korea

Background/Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroconversion rate of a hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccination in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related chronic liver disease (CLD).

Methods

Analyses were conducted using clinical records from 94 patients with chronic HBV infection who were seronegative for IgG anti-HAV antibodies between September 2008 and June 2009. Two doses of an HAV vaccine were administered 24 weeks apart. A third vaccine dose was administered only for patients seronegative for anti-HAV antibodies at week 48.

Results

The seroconversion rate of anti-HAV following the two-dose vaccination was 86.17%. The seroconversion rate of anti-HAV was not significantly different according to age or status of liver disease. The rate was higher in female than in male patients. A third HAV vaccine dose was administered to 13 patients seronegative for anti-HAV after the two-dose regimen, and 84.62% of these patients showed seroconversion at week 72.

Conclusions

HAV vaccination is effective in most Korean patients with HBV-related CLD, and it might be necessary to evaluate three-dose vaccination approach for non-responders to the conventional regimen to maximize the success of an HAV vaccination program.     

Antibodies to Hepatitis E and A Viruses among Patients with Non-Alcoholic Chronic Liver Disease in Taiwan

Tsai J-F, Jeng J-E, Chang W-Y, Lin Z-Y, Tsai J-H. Antibodies to hepatitis E and A viruses among patients with non-alcoholic chronic liver disease in Taiwan. Scand J Gastroenterol 1994;29:651-654

Background: The prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in patients with non-alcoholic chronic liver disease (CLD) was assessed.

Methods: Antibody levels to HEV (anti-HEV) and HAV (anti-HAV) were evaluated in 100 pairs of CLD patients and healthy controls.

Results: The prevalence of anti-HEV was higher in patients (10.0%) than in controls (0%; p = 0.0001). There was no difference in anti-HAV positivity between patients (95%) and controls (93%). The patient group with anti-HEV was older (p equals; 0.024) and had more smokers (p equals; 0.03), having a higher prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (p equals; 0.02). Patients with anti-HAV were older than patients without (p equals; 0.0001). The prevalence of anti-HAV in patients more than 30 years old was higher than younger patients (95.1% versus 73.6%, p equals; 0.011). Conclusion: HEV may superinfect on chronic liver disease in an area hyperendemic for hepatitis A and B.     

Revised criteria for classification of the etiologies of acute liver failure and late‐onset hepatic failure in Japan: A report by the Intractable Hepato‐biliary Diseases Study Group of Japan in 2015

In 2011, the Intractable Liver Diseases Study Group of Japan, established novel diagnostic criteria for “acute liver failure ”, and published the classification criteria for the etiologies of acute liver failure and late‐onset hepatic failure (LOHF) in 2013. According to this classification, HBV carriers showing acute hepatitis exacerbation were divided into 3 subgroups; asymptomatic or inactive HBV carriers without drug exposure, asymptomatic or inactive HBV carriers developing HBV reactivation during and after immunosuppressive therapies and/or antineoplastic chemotherapies and those with previously resolved HBV infection showing iatrogenic HBV reactivation. In an annual nationwide survey in 2013, however, a patient with previously resolved HBV infection was enrolled, in whom LOHF developed as a result of HBV reactivation despite in the absence of immunosuppressive therapies and/or antineoplastic chemotherapies. Thus, the study group revised the classification criteria in 2015; HBV carriers developing acute hepatitis exacerbation were classified into asymptomatic or inactive HBV carriers and patients with previously resolved HBV infection, and both groups were further sub‐classified into those receiving immunosuppressive therapies and/or antineoplastic chemotherapies and those without such drugs exposure.     

Clinical Prediction Models for Hepatitis B Virus-related Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure: A Technical Report

Background and AimsIt is critical but challenging to predict the prognosis of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF). This study systematically summarized and evaluated the quality and performance of available clinical prediction models (CPMs).MethodsA keyword search of articles on HBV-ACLF CPMs published in PubMed from January 1995 to April 2020 was performed. Both the quality and performance of the CPMs were assessed.ResultsFifty-two CPMs were identified, of which 31 were HBV-ACLF specific. The modeling data were mostly derived from retrospective (83.87%) and single-center (96.77%) cohorts, with sample sizes ranging from 46 to 1,202. Three-month mortality was the most common endpoint. The Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver consensus (51.92%) and Chinese Medical Association liver failure guidelines (40.38%) were commonly used for HBV-ACLF diagnosis. Serum bilirubin (67.74%), the international normalized ratio (54.84%), and hepatic encephalopathy (51.61%) were the most frequent variables used in models. Model discrimination was commonly evaluated (88.46%), but model calibration was seldom performed. The model for end-stage liver disease score was the most widely used (84.62%); however, varying performance was reported among the studies.ConclusionsSubstantial limitations lie in the quality of HBV-ACLF-specific CPMs. Disease severity of study populations may impact model performance. The clinical utility of CPMs in predicting short-term prognosis of HBV-ACLF remains to be undefined.     

The Albumin-bilirubin Score Detects Changes in the Liver Function during Treatment for Budd-Chiari Syndrome: A Retrospective Observational Study

Objective Mapping the long-term prognosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is difficult, as the prognosis is associated with changes in the liver function. The present study evaluated the time course changes in the liver function in a treatment group with percutaneous old balloon angioplasty (POBA) and a non-treatment group using the albumin-bilirubin score (ALBI) and Child-Pugh score during long-term follow-up. Methods In this retrospective study, 13 consecutive patients diagnosed with BCS at our hospital between 2007 and 2020 were categorized into a treatment group (n=8), which received POBA, and a non-treatment group (n=5). Differences in the liver function in the ALBI and Child-Pugh scores between the initial visit and one- and three-year follow-up were calculated and statistically evaluated. We investigated the changes in the liver function during the long-term follow-up, including events such as re-stenosis and re-treatment. Results While the Child-Pugh scores in the treatment group did not differ significantly between the initial visit and 1- or 3-year follow-up, the ALBI scores in this group improved significantly between the initial visit and the 1- or 3-year follow-up visit (p=0.0078 and 0.0156, respectively). The liver function according to the ALBI score in the treatment group showed gradual improvement from the initial value but gradual worsening in the non-treatment group. The ALBI scores also revealed that the liver function varies according to re-stenosis and re-POBA in BCS patients. Conclusion Unlike the Child-Pugh score, the ALBI score was able to capture changes in the liver function of BCS patients during the long-term course of BCS.     

慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织炎症与肝功能和乙型肝炎病毒标志物的关系

目的：探讨慢性乙型肝炎（乙肝）和活动性肝硬变肝组织病变与乙肝病毒标志物（HBVM）和肝功能的关系。方法：在Knodell的乙肝肝组织炎性活性指标（HAI）分类上采用3次密码读片。用常规的方法检测血清胆红素（SB）、丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）、天冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）、白蛋白／球蛋白（A／G）比率，肝内HBsAg,HBcAg检测用PAP法。结果：SB、ALT、AST值随HAI记分值的增高而增高，慢性肝炎，活动肝硬变患者血清A、G的含量及A／G随HAI记分值的增高而变化，结论：HAI能客观定量的反映肝组织病变的程度，为疾病的诊断，治疗和预后判断提供一种实用的病理指标，并有利于微机图像阅片和统计学分析。     

Treatment of Acute Liver Failure

Metabolic Brain Disease -     

Novel Prognostic Models for Predicting the 180-day Outcome for Patients with Hepatitis-B Virus-related Acute-on-chronic Liver Failure

Background and AimsIt remains difficult to forecast the 180-day prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus-acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) using existing prognostic models. The present study aimed to derive novel-innovative models to enhance the predictive effectiveness of the 180-day mortality in HBV-ACLF.MethodsThe present cohort study examined 171 HBV-ACLF patients (non-survivors, n=62; survivors, n=109). The 27 retrospectively collected parameters included the basic demographic characteristics, clinical comorbidities, and laboratory values. Backward stepwise logistic regression (LR) and the classification and regression tree (CART) analysis were used to derive two predictive models. Meanwhile, a nomogram was created based on the LR analysis. The accuracy of the LR and CART model was detected through the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), compared with model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores.ResultsAmong 171 HBV-ACLF patients, the mean age was 45.17 years-old, and 11.7% of the patients were female. The LR model was constructed with six independent factors, which included age, total bilirubin, prothrombin activity, lymphocytes, monocytes and hepatic encephalopathy. The following seven variables were the prognostic factors for HBV-ACLF in the CART model: age, total bilirubin, prothrombin time, lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, and blood urea nitrogen. The AUROC for the CART model (0.878) was similar to that for the LR model (0.878, p=0.898), and this exceeded that for the MELD scores (0.728, p<0.0001).ConclusionsThe LR and CART model are both superior to the MELD scores in predicting the 180-day mortality of patients with HBV-ACLF. Both the LR and CART model can be used as medical decision-making tools by clinicians.     

早期病毒学应答对乙型肝炎病毒感染相关肝衰竭患者预后及转归的影响

目的 研究在HBV感染相关肝衰竭抗病毒治疗过程中,早期快速病毒学应答对治疗转归的影响.方法 选择本院2007年6月至2010年12月住院治疗的HBV感染相关肝衰竭患者152例,在内科综合治疗基础上分别予拉米夫定(LAM)或恩替卡韦(ETV)抗病毒治疗.根据抗病毒治疗第4周时患者HBV DNA是否转阴,将患者分为HBV DNA阴性组和HBV DNA阳性组,比较两组治疗基线情况、治疗第4周时TBil、凝血酶原活动度(PTA)、Alb、MELD评分及治疗终点时两组临床转归,对影响治疗转归的所有因素进行多元Logistic逐步回归分析.结果 在治疗第4周时,HBV DNA阴性组TBil水平较HBV DNA阳性组明显降低,两组差异有统计学意义(P=0.000);HBV DNA阴性组PTA较HBV DNA阳性组明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P =0.0001);两组Alb、MELD评分差异无统计学意义.治疗终点时HBV DNA阴性组好转率(74.2％)较HBV DNA阳性组(30.5％)明显升高,差异有统计学意义(x2 =28.15,P=0.0067).对可能影响治疗转归的因素进行多元Logistic回归分析,筛选出有统计学意义的独立危险因素为病情分期和治疗第4周时HBV DNA转阴情况.结论 核苷类似物对病毒的快速抑制作用可提高HBV相关肝衰竭治疗的疗效,改善预后,治疗第4周早期病毒学应答患者预后相对较好.     

Cholic Acid Conjugation Test and Quantitative Liver Function in Acute Liver Failure

In 33 patients with acute hepatic encephalopathy due to toxic or viral hepatitis the following analyses were performed: (24-¹⁴C)cholic acid conjugation and sulfation, plasma phenazone clearance, galactose elimination capacity, and concentrations of glycocholic acid and glycolithocholic acid sulfate in plasma. The (24-¹⁴C)cholic acid conjugation in patients with viral hepatitis was significantly lower in fatal cases than in patients who survived (p < 0.002). In these patients the galactose elimination capacity and the plasma phenazone clearance were insignificantly lower. Tauro-(24-¹⁴C)cholic acid was the predominant metabolite of (24-¹⁴C)cholic acid in six patients, but in four patients with toxic hepatitis this metabolite was only found in trace amounts. Sulfation after 3 h of (24-¹⁴C)cholic acid accounted for 0–8.2% of the administered dose. The sulfate of glycolithocholic acid was found in the plasma of all patients. No survival limit with regard to the capacity for the (24-¹⁴C)cholic acid conjugation could be defined.