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Liver Int 2019 Feb 21. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Weill Cornell Medicine - New York Presbyterian Hospital, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 1305 York Avenue, 4th floor, New York, NY, 10021.

Background & Aims: Cirrhotics are at increased risk of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and its associated high morbidity and mortality. However, the impact of CDI in cirrhotics over time remains unclear. This study analyzes prevalence and mortality in CDI in hospitalized patients with advanced cirrhosis over 15 years and identifies a trend. Read More

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2019 Feb 20. Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany.

Adjuvant embolization of varices may reduce rebleeding in patients with a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and the risks of adjuvant variceal embolization at TIPS implantation using bucrylate.

Patients And Methods: The retrospective study evaluated 104 of 237 cirrhotic patients with TIPS for variceal bleeding who received adjuvant bucrylate embolization. Read More

Arq Gastroenterol 2018 Oct-Dec;55(4):329-337

Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

Background: Infection by hepatitis C virus is one of the leading causes of chronic hepatitis C and cause severe burden for patients, families and the health care system.

Objective: The aims of this research were to assess the severity of liver fibrosis, comorbidities and complications of hepatitis C virus; to examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL), productivity loss and resource use and costs in a sample of Brazilian chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1, patients.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional multicenter study performed in genotype-1 chronic hepatitis C patients to assess disease burden in the Brazilian public health care system between November 2014 and March 2015. Read More

BMC Gastroenterol 2019 Feb 19;19(1):32. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beijing You An Hospital affiliated to the Capital Medical University, 8 Xi Tou Tiao, Youanmen wai, Beijing, 100069, China.

Background: The recurrence of esophageal varices remains high in patients with hepatic portal hypertension after the endoscopic esophageal variceal eradication therapies, including endoscopic variceal band ligation (EVL), injection sclerotherapy (EIS) or EVL plus EIS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the endoscopic ultrasound probe examinations (EUP) findings in the prediction of recurrence following esophageal variceal eradication in a prospective cohort.

Methods: A total of 206 cirrhotic portal hypertension patients with esophageal variceal eradication, who underwent endoscopic variceal therapy (EVL or EIS or EVL plus EIS) were initially enrolled. Read More

Gastroenterology 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

University of Milan, Milan, Italy.

Ther Clin Risk Manag 2019 29;15:191-200. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, People's Republic of China,

Objective: Variceal hemorrhage is the primary driver of mortality in patients with portal hypertension. Recent guidelines recommended that patients with esophageal varices should receive endoscopic band ligation (EBL) or carvedilol as prophylaxis of variceal bleeding. Several clinical trials have compared carvedilol use with EBL intervention, yielding controversial results. Read More

Gastroenterology 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

AP-HP, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Service d'Hépatologie, Bondy, Université Paris 13, Bobigny et INSERM U1162, Université Paris 5, Paris.

Background & Aims: Management of patients with cirrhosis includes endoscopic screening and surveillance to detect esophageal varices (EV) and prevent bleeding. However, the Baveno VI guidelines recommend avoiding endoscopies for patients with liver stiffness measurements below 20 kPa and platelet counts above 150,000 (favorable Baveno VI status) and endoscopic assessment of patients with higher levels of liver stiffness and platelet counts (unfavorable Baveno VI status). We aimed to validate the Baveno VI guidelines, evaluating outcomes of patients in the ANRS-CO12 CirVir cohort with compensated cirrhosis associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, with or without a sustained response to antiviral therapy. Read More

Korean J Intern Med 2019 Feb 18. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.

Background/aims: Non-selective β-blockers (NSBBs) are used for primary prevention of esophageal variceal hemorrhage (VH) in patients with portal hypertension, but a significant number of patients develop VH while on NSBB therapy. In this study, we sought to determine whether liver volume can predict the risk of primary prophylaxis failure in cirrhotic patients on NSBB therapy.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of 309 patients on prophylactic propranolol was analyzed. Read More

Genet Med 2019 Feb 11. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, CRSA, Paris, France.

Purpose: The SERPINA1 Z allele is associated with cystic fibrosis (CF)-related liver disease (CFLD), a common manifestation in patients with CF. We estimated CFLD incidence based on the SERPINA1 genotype in 3328 CF patients with CFLD-phenotype information.

Methods: The associations of SERPINA1 Z (rs28929474) and S (rs17580) alleles with age at CFLD onset and the development of CFLD-related complications (severe liver disease with cirrhosis, portal hypertension, esophageal varices) were analyzed. Read More

Hepatol Int 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsuruma-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.

Background: Current knowledge suggests that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with an increased risk of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). These conditions and PPI use are related to gut microbiota. The aim of this study is to research the changes in gut microbiota caused by PPI in patients with chronic liver disease. Read More

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019 01;23(2):811-817

Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Prevention, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.

Objective: The relationship between in-hospital mortality (IHM) and acute oesophageal variceal bleeding (AOEVB) has not been fully assessed. The aim of this study was to establish the association between sex and mortality for patients hospitalized with AOEVB.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed hospitalizations from the Italian Health Ministry database by identifying all patients discharged with AOEVB from January 2001 to December 2015. Read More

BMC Gastroenterol 2019 Feb 4;19(1):23. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.

Background: The management of acute esophageal variceal bleeding remains a clinical challenge. Band ligation is the main therapeutic option, but it may be technically difficult to perform in active bleeders. This may necessitate an alternative therapy for this group of patients. Read More

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2019 Feb 3. Epub 2019 Feb 3.

Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: In young men, high body mass index (BMI) has been linked to liver disease later in life, but it is unclear if this also applies to women.

Aim: To study the association between BMI early in life and development of liver disease later in life in women.

Methods: We obtained data on early pregnancy BMI from 1 139 458 Swedish women between 1992 and 2015. Read More

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019 Jan 29. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Sylmar, CA, USA, 91342. Electronic address:

Background & Aims: Many patients with cirrhosis who undergo esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) screening for esophageal varices (EVs) are found to have no or only small EVs. Endoscopic screening for EVs is therefore a potentially deferrable procedure that increases patient risk and healthcare cost. We developed and validated a scoring system, based on readily-available data, to identify patients with EVs varices that need treatment. Read More

World J Hepatol 2019 Jan;11(1):74-85

Department of Internal Medicine, the Queen's Medical Center, Honolulu, HI 968132, United States.

Background: Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis is the 12 leading cause of death in the United States. Patients with decompensated-cirrhosis, especially with hepatic encephalopathy/coma (HC), have a higher rate of early readmission and contribute to higher healthcare cost.

Aim: To evaluate the national inpatient trends of discharges, mortalities and financial impacts associated with four common conditions of cirrhosis. Read More

World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther 2019 Jan;10(1):1-21

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California San Francisco, Fresno, CA 93721, United States.

Cirrhosis of liver is a major problem in the western world. Portal hypertension is a complication of cirrhosis and can lead to a myriad of pathology of which include the development of porto-systemic collaterals. Gastrointestinal varices are dilated submucosal veins, which often develop at sites near the formation of gastroesophageal collateral circulation. Read More

Liver Int 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Background: The burden of cirrhosis on the healthcare system is substantial and growing. Our objectives were to estimate the readmission rates and hospitalization costs, as well as to identify risk factors for 90-day readmission in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: We conducted a weighted analysis of the 2014 Nationwide Readmission Database to identify adult patients with cirrhosis-related complications in the United States and assessed readmission rates at 30, 60, and 90 days post-index hospitalization. Read More

Front Pediatr 2018 11;6:422. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Feeding Disorders and Pediatrics, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland.

Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is invariably present in all patients with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) but is usually clinically asymptomatic. The portal hypertension in the course of CHF develops and progresses over time, so an early detection of liver fibrosis remains crucial. The aim of the study was to evaluate a predictive value of transient elastography for evaluating liver disease progress in pediatric ARPKD patients. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2019 Jan;25(3):367-377

Department of Radiology, Severance Hospital, Severance Pediatric Liver Disease Research Group, Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, South Korea.

Background: A recent retrospective study confirmed that hepatic stiffness and splenic stiffness measured with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) are strongly associated with the presence of esophageal varices. In addition, strong correlations have been reported between splenic stiffness values measured with MRE and hepatic venous pressure gradients in animal models. However, most studies have been conducted on adult populations, and previous pediatric MRE studies have only demonstrated the feasibility of MRE in pediatric populations, while the actual clinical application of spleen MRE has been limited. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2019 Jan;25(3):308-329

Department of Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna A-1090, Austria.

Elastography-based liver stiffness measurement (LSM) is a non-invasive tool for estimating liver fibrosis but also provides an estimate for the severity of portal hypertension in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). The presence of varices and especially of varices needing treatment (VNT) indicates distinct prognostic stages in patients with compensated ACLD (cACLD). The Baveno VI guidelines suggested a simple algorithm based on LSM < 20 kPa (by transient elastography, TE) and platelet count > 150 G/L for ruling-out VNT in patients with cACLD. Read More

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2019 Mar 22;49(5):582-588. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Clichy, France.

Background: Nonmalignant portal vein thrombosis is a significant event in the course of cirrhosis that can contraindicate liver transplantation and even impact survival after the surgical procedure. Risk factors are not completely known or validated and are still debated.

Aim: To identify in patients with cirrhosis the risk factors for portal vein thrombosis that are assessable in clinical practice. Read More

Postgrad Med J 2019 Jan 21. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.

Ultrasound (US) is usually the first and most commonly used tool in the diagnostic algorithm for liver disease. It is widely available, non-invasive and offers a real-time assessment of the liver in several anatomic planes, using different US modalities such as greyscale imaging, Doppler, elastography and contrast-enhanced US. This multiparametric ultrasound (MPUS) provides more information of the examined structures and allows for a faster and more accurate diagnosis, usually at the point of care, thus reducing the requirement for some invasive and more expensive methods. Read More

J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2019 Jan 18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Division of Cardiology, Cook County Health, Chicago, Illinois; Division of Cardiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.

Am J Med 2019 Jan 18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. Electronic address:

Objective: The belief that cirrhotic patients are "auto-anticoagulated" often results in anticoagulation therapy being withheld in these patients. We aimed to understand patterns of use of anticoagulation and to determine the risk of bleeding complications in cirrhotic patients.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 320 cirrhotic patients treated with anticoagulation therapy from July 15, 2014 to January 30, 2018. Read More

Transplant Proc 2019 Jan - Feb;51(1):171-178. Epub 2018 Jun 28.

Division of Abdominal Transplantation and Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children's Research Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy.

Background: Cirrhosis for biliary atresia (BA) is associated with risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GB) from gastroesophageal varices due to portal hypertension. Primary prophylaxis of GB is controversial in children who are candidates for liver transplantation (LT). The aim of the study was to define the management of gastroesophageal varices and to identify the benefit of primary prophylaxis for GB in BA children waiting for LT. Read More

CVIR Endovasc 2018 22;1(1):24. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Interventional Radiology Department, George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC USA.

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) wire recanalization of short segments of central venous obstruction has been considered safe; however its use for recanalization of long segments of inferior vena cava (IVC) has not been reported.

Case Presentation: A 55-year-old female with recurrent massive hematemesis was found to have systemic venous upper esophageal varices on endoscopy and an extensive chronic IVC occlusion on CT. Using both a percutaneous transhepatic and transfemoral approach IVC recanalization was performed. Read More

Med J Malaysia 2018 Dec;73(6):361-364

Universiti Putra Malaysia, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Medical Department, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Objective: Approximately one-third of patients with esophageal varices will develop bleeding which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. Currently, the two most widely used modalities to prevent variceal bleeding are pharmacologic and oendoscopic variceal band ligation (EVL). However, EVL has been associated with significant complications. Read More

Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2018 Oct-Dec;81(4):496-501

Hospital U. Ramón y Cajal, Carretera Colmenar Viejo km 9,1, Madrid, España.

Background And Study Aims: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE) is currently recommended in cirrhotic patients to detect the presence of esophageal varices (EV). Spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) with FibroScan has been used for this purpose, showing variable sensitivity (S) and specificity (Sp). The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of SSM to detect the presence and size of EV in cirrhotic patients in comparison to other noninvasive modalities. Read More

J Cell Mol Med 2019 Mar 11;23(3):1657-1670. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China.

End-stage liver fibrosis frequently progresses to portal vein thrombosis, formation of oesophageal varices, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver failure. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), when transplanted in vivo, migrate into fibrogenic livers and then differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells or fuse with hepatocytes to protect liver function. Moreover, they can produce various growth factors and cytokines with anti-inflammatory effects to reverse the fibrotic state of the liver. Read More

Rev Med Suisse 2019 Jan;15(N° 632-633):46-49

Service de gastroentérologie et hépatologie, HUG, 1211 Genève 14.

The purpose of this article is to detail the major gastroenterology novelties for 2018. In the field of hepatology we address the monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma, the Baveno VI extended criteria for the detection of oesophageal varices and the management of cramps in cirrhotic patients. Concerning intestinal inflammatory diseases, two novel treatments have recently been approved by the European Commission, including injection of stem cells for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas and the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib for the RCH (ulcerative colitis). Read More

Clin J Gastroenterol 2019 Jan 7. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan.

Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF), a fibropolycystic disease, is characterized by bile duct malformation, periportal fibrosis, and renal polycystic disease. Although cholangiocellular carcinoma is the primary tumor arising from fibropolycystic diseases, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is extremely rare. In addition, no algorism for determining the optimum HCC treatment has yet been available in cases of fibropolycystic disease due to variations in the background liver and renal conditions. Read More

Ann Transl Med 2018 Dec;6(23):463

Department of Cardiology, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.

Esophageal varices can cause life-threatening complications and are most often a sequela of liver disease. Although a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, downhill variceal bleeding secondary to superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. We discuss two such cases of downhill esophageal varices presenting with hematemesis in patients with end stage renal disease and no history of cirrhosis. Read More

Gut Liver 2019 Feb 12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background/aims: Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography predicts the presence of esophageal varices (EVs). We investigated whether an ARFI-based prediction model can assess EV bleeding (EVB) risk in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: The records of 262 patients with cirrhosis who underwent ARFI elastography and endoscopic surveillance at two institutions in 2008 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed, and ARFI-spleen diameter-to-platelet ratio scores (ASPS) were calculated. Read More

Transplant Proc 2019 Jan - Feb;51(1):33-37. Epub 2018 Jun 28.

HPB Surgery and Abdominal Organs Transplantation Unit, University Hospital Doce de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.

Background: The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically, even in the population awaiting a liver transplantation. Despite their associated complications, we cannot consider morbid obesity any longer as an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation. Dietary approaches alone are usually completely ineffective. Read More

Int J Clin Pract 2018 Dec 28:e13309. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Avicenna Center for Medicine and Organ Transplant, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Aim: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a common complication amongst patients with liver cirrhosis. The PVT risk factors and its impact on post liver transplant outcome has not been well defined, yet. This study aimed to investigate PVT prevalence, its risk factors and influence on early and long-term outcomes after liver transplantation. Read More

Vnitr Lek 2018 ;64(10):916-922

Transient elastography, an examination based on the liver stiffness measurement, is a method validated for the non-invasive liver fibrosis staging. This method was recently successfully introduced into routine clinical practice. In accordance with the global- wide screening of viral hepatitis (chronic viral hepatitis type B and type C) and with the increasing effectiveness of antiviral therapy, as well as with the increasing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the part of population requiring the care of hepatologists is certain to increase. Read More

Am J Surg 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Surgery - Transplant Division, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA. Electronic address:

Background/aim: We aim to study the impact of PH in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery (GI).

Methods: We queried the ACS-NSQIP database from 2005 through 2010 for patients undergoing GI surgery with PH. Esophageal varices (EV) diagnosis was used as a surrogate of PH. Read More

Thromb J 2018 19;16:33. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

2Centre for Medical Education, Queen's University Belfast, University Rd, Belfast, BT7 1NN Northern Ireland.

Background: Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis (SVT) is strongly associated with underlying V617F positive myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN).

Methods: Patients attending the tertiary haematology service in Northern Ireland with SVT and underlying V617F MPN were identified by consultant staff. A retrospective audit was undertaken to examine therapeutic interventions and relevant outcomes. Read More

Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019 Mar 17;4(3):217-226. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; Oncology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada; ICES, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.

Background: Recent data show that the prevalence of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis is increasing in adolescents and young adults in the USA. We aimed to describe the epidemiology of cirrhosis using an age-period-cohort approach to define birth-cohort effects on the incidence of cirrhosis in Ontario, Canada.

Methods: We did a retrospective population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada, using linked administrative health data from the databases of ICES, formerly the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. Read More

Clin Mol Hepatol 2018 Dec 21. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Hepatology 2018 Dec 18. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.

Current guidelines recommend cirrhotic patients undergo endoscopic screening for varices, unless patients have liver stiffness <20kPa and platelet count >150x10 /L . Screening for varices presumes we can offer an intervention to reduce risk of first variceal hemorrhage and, ideally, death. Because risk of bleeding increases with variceal size, guidelines recommend patients with medium-large esophageal varices receive endoscopic variceal band ligation (VBL), non-selective β-blockers (NSBB), or carvedilol as primary preventive therapy to reduce first variceal hemorrhage. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(50):e13703

Department of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University.

Many patients in China have portal hypertension secondary to liver cirrhosis. Splenectomy and devascularization have become an efficacious surgical procedure for portal hypertension, and has been recommended in China as the first choice for the treatment of portal hypertension for a long time. As a result of advances in laparoscopic equipment and techniques, splenectomy and esophagogastric devascularization have been carried out with laparoscope. Read More

Curr Hepatol Rep 2018 7;17(4):301-315. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

1Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Purpose Of Review: The natural history and classification systems of small varices (≤ 5 mm in diameter) in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension are summarized. Studies that assessed the course of and therapeutic intervention for small varices are discussed.

Recent Findings: Current non-invasive methods show suboptimal sensitivity to detect small varices in patients with cirrhosis. Read More

Turk J Gastroenterol 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department Clinical Pathology, Al-Azhar University School of Medicine, New Damietta, Damietta, Egypt.

Background/aims: Insulin resistance (IR) is closely linked with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its complications, particularly hepatic fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate some biochemical markers that are potentially related to IR as predictors of esophageal varices (EV) in patients with compensated HCV cirrhosis who do not have diabetes or metabolic syndrome.

Materials And Methods: One hundred subjects without diabetes with compensated HCV-related cirrhosis who did not fulfill the diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome were subjected to clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic, and endoscopic assessments. Read More

Indian J Gastroenterol 2018 11;37(6):565-566

Department of Gastroenterology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sheikhpura, Patna, 800 014, India.

J Pediatr Surg 2018 Nov 6. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Department of Paediatric Surgery, "Spedali Civili" Children's Hospital, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, 25123, Brescia, Italy.

Introduction: Biliary atresia (BA) represents the leading indication for liver transplantation in childhood. Only few studies reported the outcome of patients who survived more than 20 years on their native liver, and up to date there are no Italian data available. We reported our 40-year single centre experience with long-term follow-up of BA patients. Read More

Int J Hepatol 2018 1;2018:5109689. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, USA.

Background: The features of the portal hypertension enteropathy (PHE) vary from mild mucosal changes to varices with or without bleeding. The prevalence and the development are not fully understood.

Aim: Our aim is to examine the prevalence and the different manifestations of PHE using video capsule endoscopy (VCE). Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2018 Nov;24(44):5025-5033

Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, South Korea.

Aim: To examine the association between the timing of endoscopy and the short-term outcomes of acute variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients.

Methods: This retrospective study included 274 consecutive patients admitted with acute esophageal variceal bleeding of two tertiary hospitals in Korea. We adjusted confounding factors using the Cox proportional hazards model and the inverse probability weighting (IPW) method. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Nov;97(48):e13437

Meta-Analysis Interest Group & Liver Cirrhosis Study Group, Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area.

Background And Aim: Acute variceal bleeding (AVB) is life-threatening. We aimed to systematically review the current evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of terlipressin for AVB in liver cirrhosis.

Methods: We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Read More