Clinical features of idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension: An analysis of 74 patients / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective Idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) is a rare cause of portal hypertension, and this study aims to analyze the clinical features of patients with INCPH, and to assist in diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Methods A total of 74 patients who were hospitalized in Beijing YouAn Hospital from January 2019 to July 2022 and were diagnosed with INCPH were enrolled, and 332 patients with liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized during the same period of time were enrolled as control group. Demographic data, laboratory markers, gastroscopy, liver elasticity, pathological examination, and complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to investigate the ability of liver stiffness measurement (LSM), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) in the differential diagnosis of INCPH, and the DeLong test was used to compare the area under the ROC curve (AUC). The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Results Among the patients with INCPH, 46.55% had no obvious symptoms at disease onset and 43.24% were misdiagnosed with liver cirrhosis. Compared with the patients with liver cirrhosis, the patients with INCPH had a significantly higher proportion of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding (62.16% vs 41.27%, χ 2 =10.67, P < 0.01) and a significantly lower proportion of patients with moderate-to-severe ascites (16.21% vs 29.82%, χ 2 =34.98, P < 0.01), and there were few patients with hepatic encephalopathy. As for pathology, 89.19% (66/74) of the INCPH patients manifested as typical occlusive portal vein disease. The statistical analysis showed that compared with the patients with liver cirrhosis, the patients with INCPH had significantly better liver function parameters, MELD score, and Child-Pugh score and significantly lower LSM [9.05(7.18-12.33) vs 25.32(16.21-47.23), Z =-8.41, P < 0.01], APRI score [0.70(0.41-1.28) vs 1.35(0.80-2.39), Z =-6.21, P < 0.01], and FIB-4 index [2.99(1.62-4.81) vs 6.68(4.06-10.42), Z =-8.39, P < 0.01]. LSM, FIB-4, and APRI had a good ability in differentiating INCPH from liver cirrhosis, and in particular, LSM had an AUC of up to 0.92 (95% confidence interval: 0.87-0.96), with a sensitivity of 92.68% and a specificity of 81.60%. Conclusion INCPH patients tend to have an insidious onset, a relatively high incidence rate of portal hypertension-related complications, and relatively good liver function, especially the patients with LSM < 14.5 kPa. The possibility of INCPH should be considered for such patients in clinical practice.

Autonomic dysfunction is common in liver cirrhosis and is associated with cardiac dysfunction and mortality: prospective observational study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Although autonomic dysfunction has been shown to be associated with liver cirrhosis, the prevalence and prognostic implications are unclear. Abnormal heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of autonomic function, has not been well investigated in cirrhosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of high-risk HRV parameters in a cohort of cirrhotic patients and their association with cardiac dysfunction and mortality. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective observational study conducted in the Federal University of São Paulo. METHOD: A cohort of 120 patients, comprising 17 healthy controls and 103 cirrhotic outpatients, was evaluated and followed for 10 months. HRV analysis was based on 24-hour Holter monitoring and defined using time-domain and frequency-domain parameters. RESULTS: The HRV parameters were statistically lower in cirrhotic patients than in healthy subjects. High-risk HRV parameters were prevalent, such that 64% had at least one high-risk parameter. Time-domain parameters correlated with Child scores (P < 0.0001). In regression models, HRV parameters were independent predictors of diastolic dysfunction and mortality. During 10 months of follow-up, there were 11 deaths, all of patients with at least one high-risk HRV parameter. Kaplan-Meier analysis estimated low survival rates among patients with standard deviation of normal-to-normal RR intervals (SDNN) < 100. CONCLUSION: Reduced HRV is prevalent in liver cirrhosis and is related to cardiac dysfunction, severity of liver disease and mortality. Abnormal high-risk HRV parameters are prevalent among cirrhotic patients and are also predictors of mortality. Our findings highlight the need for a more careful cardiac evaluation of cirrhotic patients.

Clinical progress of acupoint application in the treatment of cirrhotic ascites / 国际中医中药杂志

As an important part of the external treatment of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupoint has the advantages of simple operation, remarkable effectiveness and safety. Recently, it has been widely used in the treatment of patients with cirrhosis ascites, either alone, or in combination with other external treatments. It can improve ascites symptoms and reduce recurrence rates. Physicians select acupoint based on the meridian acupoint theory or their own methods. The acupoints are mainly Shenque (CV 8), Qihai (CV 5), Zusanli (ST 36), Guanyuan (RN 4), Zhongwan (CV 12) and other Ren meridian acupoints, supplemented by the bladder meridian, the liver meridian, the stomach meridian, and the spleen meridian. The Chinese medical drugs, mostly in terms of compounds, have function for relieasing stasis water, regulating qi and tonifying deficiency. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen basic research, treatment based on syndrome differentiation and improve the quality of clinical researchs.

Disseminated cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans a case report and review / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: To analyze the clinical, therapeutic and laboratory characteristics of disseminated cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans invading the blood stream in patient with liver cirrhosis and splenectomy. A 30-year-old male underwent splenectomy plus pericardial devascularization due to "splenomegaly and hypersplenism" in March in 2016. The patient had intermittent fever after operation for many times, and successively accompanied with back pain, left lower limb abscess and right hip pain. The highest body temperature was 39 ℃. CT and MRI revealed the lung lesion and multiple bone destruction. During that period, the effect of antibiotics was not good. On April 19th, 2017, Gram's stain, India ink stain, API 32C, Vitek 2 Compact, ribosomal ITS and IGS sequence analysis were performed to identify the strain isolated from the pus and blood stream. The serum of the patient was detected for cryptococcal antigen. Antifungal susceptibility test was used to determine drug sensitivity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The Cryptococcus neoformans isolated from fresh pus specimen showed a prominent, thick capsule after India ink stain. The colonies isolated from pus and blood stream were identified Cryptococcus neoformans using API 32C, Vitek 2 Compact, and sequence analysis of rDNA ITS and IGS. Cryptococcal capsule antigen was positive. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of 5-Flucytosine, amphotericin B, fluconazole, itriconazole, voriconazole against the isolate were <4 μg/mL, <0.5 μg/mL, 4 μg/mL, ≤0.25 μg/mL, 0.125 μg/mL respectively. The patient was initially treated with intravenous amphotericin B and flucytosine. After anti-Cryptococcus treatment for two months, the patient clinically improved, and the lesions were reduced on a follow-up CT scan. The patient made a full functional recovery after treatment for six months. Cryptococcosis has hidden onset, atypical clinical symptoms and lack of specificity. Blood stream is the main channel for Cryptococcus to spread and involve many organs of the whole body, including skin, bone and so on. Therefore, early use of blood culture to monitor blood flow dissemination, actively removing the primary focus and cutting off the infection route in time and carrying out effective anti-Cryptococcus treatment are conducive to the patient's early recovery.

Clinical efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with idiopathic noncirrhotic portal hypertension / 中华内科杂志

Objective:To explore the medium-long term efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH).Methods:From March 2013 to July 2018, clinical data of 13 INCPH patients, including 5 males, 8 females,with gastrointestinal hemorrhage were retrospectively analyzed, who were diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Anyang Fifth People′ s Hospital and Yuncheng Central Hospital. All patients received TIPS treatment. The general information, postoperative survival rate, the incidence of rebleeding, shunt dysfunction rate, and incidence of hepatic encephalopathy were analyzed.Results:All 13 patients with INCPH completed TIPS successfully with an average age of 45±8 (33 to 59) years. The hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) decreased from 20.0-26.0 (22.6±1.9) mmHg before procedure to 8.0-14.0 (9.4±3.2) mmHg after. The median follow-up time was 44±7 (31 to 53) months. One patient died of liver failure 27 months after TIPS. Hepatic encephalopathy occurred cumulatively in 1 case (1/13), 1 case (1/13) and 1 case (1/13) in 12, 24 and 36 months after TIPS. Stent restenosis occurred cumulatively in 2 cases (2/13), 3 cases (3/13) and 3 cases (3/13) in 12, 24 and 36 months after TIPS. Portal vein thrombosis occurred cumulatively in 2 cases (2/13), and no primary liver cancer developed.Conclusions:TIPS is safe and effective in the treatment of INCPH with gastrointestinal bleeding with favorable medium-long term outcome.

Portal vein surgical treatment on non-tumoral portal vein thrombosis in liver transplantation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Non-tumoral portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is associated with higher morbidity and mortality in liver transplantation (LT). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of PVT in LT outcomes and analyze the types of surgical techniques used for dealing with PVT during LT. A systematic review was conducted in Cochrane, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases, selecting articles from January 1990 to December 2019. The MESH-terms used were ("Portal Vein"[Mesh] AND "Thrombosis"[Mesh] NOT "Neoplasms"[Mesh]) AND ("Liver Transplantation"[Mesh]). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) recommendation was used, and meta-analysis was performed with Review Manager Version 5.3 software. A total of 1,638 articles were initially found: 488 in PubMed, 289 in Cochrane Library, and 861 in EMBASE, from which 27 were eventually selected for the meta-analysis. Surgery time of LT in patients with PVT was longer than in patients without LT (p<0.0001). Intraoperative red blood cell (p<0.00001), fresh frozen plasma (p=0.01), and platelets (p=0.03) transfusions during LT were higher in patients with PVT. One-year (odds ratio [OR] 1.17; p=0.002) and 5-year (OR 1.12; p=0.01) patient survival after LT was worse in the PVT group. Total occlusive PVT presented higher mortality (OR 3.70; p=0.00009) and rethrombosis rates (OR 3.47 [1.18-10.21]; p=0.02). PVT Yerdel III/IV classification exhibited worse 1-year [2.04 (1.21-3.42); p=0.007] and 5-year [0.98 (0.59-1.62); p=0.93] patient survival. Thrombectomy with primary anastomosis was associated with better outcomes. LT in patients with non-tumoral PVT demands more surgical time, needs more intraoperative transfusion, and presents worse 1- and 5-year patient survival. Total occlusive PVT and Yerdel III/IV PVT classification were associated with higher mortality. (PROSPERO, registration number: CRD42020132915).

Clinical metabolomics research on Xiaozhang Tie with the umbilical compress therapy for cirrhotic ascites / 药学学报

We used metabolomics technology to identify and understand the biomarkers and therapeutic mechanisms of umbilical compress therapy based on Xiaozhang Tie (XT) to provide scientific evidence for its clinical application. A total of 10 patients with cirrhotic ascites and gastrointestinal motility disorders who were hospitalized in the Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2017 to June 2018 were divided into a placebo group (4 cases) or an XT group (5 cases), and 10 healthy volunteers were included as controls. This clinical trial was approved according to the Ethics Committee of Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2017-528-11-01). The patients in the XT group were given umbilical compress therapy with Xiaozhang Tie, and patients in the placebo group were administered a plaster patch in which the drug content was less than 5%, receiving one patch per day for three consecutive days. Non-targeted metabolomics technology and UPLC-Q/Orbitrap-MS/MS analysis technology were utilized to investigate the fluctuations in endogenous metabolic profiles in the patient's urine prior to and after administration of XT. By analyzing and comparing the urine metabolic profiles of patients with cirrhotic ascites to those of healthy volunteers, a total of 31 biomarkers were identified, 14 of which were significantly decreased by the intervention with Xiaozhang Tie (P <0.05). Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that phenylalanine metabolism and tryptophan metabolism are key pathways affected by XT treatment. The results suggest that XT can alleviate cirrhotic ascites by modulating abnormalities in amino acid metabolism.

Physiopathological and diagnostic aspects of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy / Aspectos fisiopatológicos y diagnósticos de la miocardiopatía cirrótica

Abstract Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is characterized by the presence of structural and functional cardiac alterations in patients suffering from hepatic cirrhosis, without previously known cardiac causes that may explain it. Clinically, it is characterized by the presence of variable grades of diastolic and systolic dysfunction (SD), alterations in the electric conductance (elongation of corrected QT interval) and inadequate chronotropic response. This pathology has been related to substandard response in the management of patients with portal hypertension and poor outcome after transplant. Even when the first description of this pathology dates back from 1953, it remains a poorly studied and frequently underdiagnosed entity. Echocardiography prevails as a practical diagnostic tool for this pathology since simple measurements as the E/A index can show diastolic dysfunction. SD discloses as a diminished ejection fraction of the left ventricle and the latent forms are detected by echocardiography studies with pharmacological stress. In recent years, new techniques such as the longitudinal strain have been studied and they seem promising for the detection of early alterations.

Resumen La miocardiopatía cirrótica se caracteriza por la presencia de alteraciones cardiacas estructurales y funcionales en pacientes con cirrosis hepática, sin que existan otras causas de enfermedad cardiaca. Clínicamente se caracteriza por la presencia de grados variables de disfunción diastólica y sistólica, alteraciones de la conducción eléctrica (prolongación del intervalo QT) y respuesta cronotrópica inapropiada. Esta patología se ha relacionado con desenlaces clínicos adversos, mala respuesta en el manejo de la hipertensión portal y resultados desfavorables posterior a trasplante hepático ortotópico. A pesar de que las primeras descripciones datan de 1953, es una entidad poco estudiada y frecuentemente subdiagnosticada. El ecocardiograma es una herramienta de diagnóstico importante en esta entidad. Mediciones simples como el índice E/A pueden traducir disfunción diastólica. La disfunción sistólica se manifiesta con disminución de la fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo y las formas latentes se detectan mediante estudios de ecocardiografía con estrés farmacológico; en los últimos años se han estudiado otras técnicas como el strain longitudinal, que parecen prometedoras en la detección de alteraciones tempranas.

Surgical Management of Portal Hypertension: Experience at a Medical College Hospital in South India

Introduction: Portal hypertension in the presence of cirrhosisof liver carries poor prognosis. The medical managementalong with endoscopic therapy helps to reduce bleeding.Surgery is reserved for patients who fail medical therapy.Patients with portal hypertension with good functioning liverbenefit from surgery. Study aimed to evaluate the resultsof surgical treatment for portal hypertension at our centerKarnataka Institute of Medical Sciences Hubli. Karnataka.Material and methods. This was a prospective observationalstudy. There were 34 patients undergoing surgical treatmentfor various presentations of portal hypertension during theperiod of 2015 to 2019.They were analyzed for demographics,etiology, presentation, various surgeries and outcome. Thedata was entered intoMicrosoft excel sheet and analyzed.Results: Of the 34 patients males were most common.Variceal bleeding was most common presentation followedby painful splenomegaly and anemia. ‘Extrahepatic portalvein obstruction’ was the leading cause of non-cirrhoticportal hypertension followed by ‘non cirrhotic portal fibrosis’and ‘left sided or sinistral portal hypertension’. Proximallinorenal shunt was the most common procedure followedby splenectomy with esophagogastric devascularization. Themorbidity and mortality were very low and yielded durablesatisfactory outcome.Conclusion: The surgery for non-cirrhotic portalhypertension has durable and satisfactory results and canbe done with minimal morbidity and mortality at trainedhands. For few selected cirrhotic patients surgery in the formof devascularization or shunt offers immediate relief frombleeding and gives time for future transplant if any.

Manifestaciones cardiovasculares de la cirrosis hepática según su gravedad evaluada por la clasificación de Child-Pugh / Cardiovascular manifestations of liver cirrhosis according to its severity evaluated through the Child-Pugh score

RESUMEN Introducción: La miocardiopatía cirrótica es una disfunción cardíaca que está presente en pacientes con cirrosis hepática, en ausencia de otra enfermedad cardíaca. Objetivos: Describir los hallazgos electrocardiográficos, ecocardiográficos y el estado de la oxigenación arterial en pacientes con cirrosis hepática. Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal, con 95 pacientes en protocolo de trasplante hepático en el CIMEQ, en el período establecido, para lo cual se tuvo en cuenta la clasificación de gravedad de Child-Pugh. Resultados: Se investigaron 95 pacientes (53 mujeres [55,7%]), a los cuales se les realizó electrocardiograma, ecocardiograma, determinación de la presión arterial de oxígeno y su saturación por oximetría. Se usó el SPSS (20), con medidas de resumen para variables cualitativas (razones y porcentajes) y cuantitativas (media y desviación estándar). Los resultados muestran mayor compromiso de las variables estudiadas en relación con la mayor gravedad de la cirrosis hepática, evaluada por Child-Pugh, en relación con la onda S' (p=0,03), onda A (p=0,03), presión sistólica del tronco de la arteria pulmonar (p=0,004) y presión parcial de oxígeno arterial (p=0,004). Conclusiones: Al tener en cuenta dicha clasificación, se evidenció acercamiento progresivo a valores anormales de las variables ecocardiográficas para el análisis de la función diastólica, presiones pulmonares y del estado de la oxigenación arterial expresado por la PaO2, en los estadios más avanzados de la cirrosis hepática.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a cardiac dysfunction that is present in patients with liver cirrhosis, in the absence of other heart disease. Objectives: To ascertain electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings and arterial oxygenation state in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 95 liver transplant recipients at the CIMEQ over the established period. The Child-Pug severity classification was applied for this purpose. Results: We screened 95 patients (53 women [55.7%]) who underwent electrocardiography, echocardiography, and determination of blood oxygen pressure and oxygen saturation by oximetry. The SPSS (20), with summary measures for qualitative (ratios and percentages) and quantitative (mean and standard deviation) variables was used. Our results reveal greater compromise of the variables studied in correlation with a greater severity of liver cirrhosis, as assessed by Child-Pugh, in relation to S' wave (p=0.03), A wave (p=0.03), pulmonary artery trunk systolic pressure (p=0.004) and arterial oxygen partial pressure (p=0.004). Conclusions: Taking into account the Child-Pugh score, study showed a progressive approach to pathological values of echocardiographic variables for the analysis of diastolic function and pulmonary pressures, as well as oxygen content of arterial blood (PaO2), in the most advanced stages of liver cirrhosis.

Diastolic dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis: A short-term, observational study at a Malaysian hospital

@#Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a recognised complication of liver cirrhosis and predicts poor outcomes. Detection of diastolic dysfunction, an early indicator of left ventricular dysfunction can help identify those patients at risk of disease progression. In our study we showed that there was a high prevalence of diastolic dysfunction amongst patients with liver cirrhosis at our outpatient clinic, with the majority being Child-Pugh A/low MELD score. Multiple regression analysis indicated that age and sodium levels were significantly associated with the presence of diastolic dysfunction. This further reinforces the importance of dietary sodium restriction amongst patients with liver cirrhosis.

Hepatocarcinoma en hígado no cirrótico: serie bicéntrica de 19 casos / Hepatocellular carcinoma in the non-cirrhotic liver: a two-center experience with 19 cases

Antecedentes: El carcinoma hepatocelular es la neoplasia hepática más frecuente; el 90% se desarrolla sobre hígado cirrótico o con hepatopatía crónica, constituyendo así el principal factor de riesgo; la inflamación crónica, la necrosis y regeneración que estas producen condiciona la aparición de mutaciones genéticas y el desarrollo de células tumorales. Sin embargo, el 10% se desarrolla sobre hígado sano, no cirrótico y sin factores desencadenantes. Material y métodos: Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y de la supervivencia de una serie de 19 pacientes con anatomía patológica de carcinoma hepatocelular y ausencia de antecedentes de cirrosis hepática o hepatopatía crónica intervenidos en dos Unidades HPB en el período enero 2007- enero 2016. Resultados: La serie incluyó 13 varones y 6 mujeres con una edad media de 65 años. La presentación clínica más frecuente fue dolor abdominal. El 60% registraba analítica normal y solo en el 16% se elevó la AFP. El 61% presentó prueba de imagen diagnóstica. El tamaño medio fue de 110,6 mm. A todos se los trató con cirugía. Ocurrieron complicaciones en el 36,8% de los pacientes y una supervivencia a los 5 años del 62,3%. Conclusión: el carcinoma hepatocelular suele diagnosticarse cuando es de gran tamaño por hallazgos en pruebas de imagen realizadas generalmente en el estudio del dolor abdominal. La cirugía ofrece tratamiento curativo, pudiendo realizarse grandes resecciones con un alto índice de seguridad, con morbimortalidad perioperatoria baja y con bajo índice de insuficiencia hepática, ya que el remanente hepático es sano y la función hepática se mantiene.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer and is the third cause of cancer related deaths; 80% of the HCC are associated with cirrhotic livers or chronic liver diseases, which constitute the main risk factor. Chronic inflammation, necrosis and regeneration due to these conditions produce genetic mutation and development of tumor cells. Yet, 10% develop in non-cirrhotic healthy livers without precipitating factors. Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the characteristics and survival of patients with diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in non-cirrhotic liver and absence of a history of liver cirrhosis or chronic liver disease undergoing surgery in two hepato-pancreato-biliary units between January 2007 and January 2016. Results: Mean age was 65 years and 13 patients were men. Abdominal pain was the most common clinical presentation. Liver panel was normal in 60% of the cases and alpha-fetoprotein was elevated in only 16%. The diagnosis was made by imaging tests in 61% of the cases. Mean tumor size was 110.6 cm. All the patients underwent surgery. Complications were observed in 36.8% of the patients and survival at 5 years was 62.3%. Conclusion: hepatocellular carcinoma is usually diagnosed as a large lesion in imaging tests ordered due to abdominal pain. Surgery provides curative treatment, and large resections can be safely performed, with low perioperative morbidity and mortality and low incidence of postoperative liver failure, since the liver remnant is healthy and liver function is maintained.

Evaluation of Various Non Culture Methods for the Diagnosis of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

Introduction: Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) iscommon and serious complication of patients with livercirrhosis and ascites, without an apparent surgically treatableintra abdominal source of infection. Its prevalence rangesfrom 10% to 30%. Mortality rate was earlier reported morethan 90%, but it has now reduced to 30% -50% as a resultof rapid diagnosis and prompt initiation of antibiotics. Thepresent study was done to evaluate the various non culturemethods for the diagnosis of SBP.Material and Methods: Ascitic fluid sample were collectedaseptically from 100 cirrhotic patients with ascites. PMN(polymorphonuclear leukocyte) count was determined byNeubauer’s manual counting chamber and Leishman’s stainfor differential PMN cell counts. Granulocyte esterase activitywas detected using LER (Leukocyte esterase reagent) dipstickstrips.Results: Out of 100 samples processed, PMN cell count >250 cells/mm3 was found in 91% samples by conventionallight microscopy. Scale of > 2+ by LER strip was found in61 samples. Reading of PMN cell count of > 250 cells/mm3matched in 60 samples and < 250 cells/mm3 matched in 8 cellsby both microscopy and LER strip test. Sensitivity, specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value ofLER strip test was 65.9%, 88.89%, 98.36% and 20.51%respectively.Conclusion: LER strips as a screening tool for SBP haveadvantage of speed, low cost, availability at odd hours, requiresno technical expertise and can be performed everywhere.Its high specificity and PPV may help in early institution ofempirical antibiotic therapy in patients.

What makes non-cirrhotic portal hypertension a common disease in India? Analysis for environmental factors

In India, an unexplained enteropathy is present in a majority of non-cirrhotic intrahepatic portal hypertension (NCIPH) patients. Small intestinal bacterial contamination and tropical enteropathy could trigger inflammatory stimuli and activate the endothelium in the portal venous system. Groundwater contaminated with arsenic is an environmental factor of epidemic proportions in large areas of India which has similar consequences. Von Willebrand factor (a sticky protein) expressed by activated endothelium may promote formation of platelet microthrombi and occlusion of intrahepatic portal vein branches leading to NCIPH. Environmental factors linked to suboptimal hygiene and sanitation, which enter through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, predispose to platelet plugging onto activated endothelium in portal microcirculation. Thus, NCIPH, an example of poverty linked thrombophilia, is a disease mainly affecting the lower socio-economic strata of Indian population. Public health measures to improve sanitation, provide clean drinking water and eliminate arsenic contamination of drinking water are urgently needed. Till such time as these environmental factors are addressed, NCIPH is likely to remain 'an Indian disease'.

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy: the liver affects the heart

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy historically has been confused as alcoholic cardiomyopathy. The key points for diagnosis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy have been well explained, however this entity was neglected for a long time. Nowadays the diagnosis of this entity has become important because it is a factor that contributes significantly to morbidity-mortality in cirrhotic patients. Characteristics of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy are a hyperdynamic circulatory state, altered diastolic relaxation, impaired contractility, and electrophysiological abnormalities, particularity QT interval prolongation. The pathogenesis includes impaired function of beta-receptors, altered transmembrane currents and overproduction of cardiodepressant factors, such as nitric oxide, cytokines and endogenous cannabinoids. In addition to physical signs of hyperdynamic state and heart failure under stress conditions, the diagnosis can be done with dosage of serum markers, electrocardiography, echocardiography and magnetic resonance. The treatment is mainly supportive, but orthotopic liver transplantation appears to improve this condition although the prognosis of liver transplantation in patients with cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is uncertain.

Analysis of influencing factors on hepatic encephalopathy in patients with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) and to explore its risk factors.@*Methods@#The incidence rate of HE in 150 cases with NCPH was evaluated in two hospitals, and 188 cases of compensated cirrhosis patients were taken as control. Logistic regression was used to screen for independent risk factors for HE in patients with NCPH.@*Results@#The incidence of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) in patients with NCPH was not statistically significantly different from that in patients with cirrhosis (4.7% vs. 6.9%, P = 0.682). The incidence of mild hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) was significantly lower than that of cirrhosis patients (32.7% vs. 46.3%, P < 0.05). The presence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, infection and portosystemic venous shunt were the main independent factors for HE in NCPH patients (OR > 1, P < 0.05).@*Conclusion@#HE is one of the important complications of NCP, and may be influenced by factors such as upper gastrointestinal bleeding, infection and portosystemic venous shunt.

AN UNUSUAL CASE OF PORTAL, SPLENIC AND MESENTERIC VENOUS THROMBOSIS PRESENTING WITH ACUTE ABDOMEN

@#Porto-spleno-mesenteric vein thrombosis is a rare, life-threatening condition of extrahepatic portal venous system thrombosis. We report a rare case of a 49-year-old lady with late presentation of acute portal vein thrombosis in a non-cirrhotic liver with an incidental finding of left adnexal teratoma. She presented with a one-week history of severe abdominal pain associated with vomiting and diarrhea. She gave no history of prior risk for venous thromboembolism or liver diseases. Physical examination revealed a tender mass extending from suprapubic to left iliac fossa. Abdominal computed tomography scans showed a well-defined fat-containing left adnexal mass, likely a benign teratoma, with no involvement of surrounding structures or calcification. There was evidence of porto-splenic-mesenteric vein thrombosis with liver infarction, bowel and splenic ischemia. Management of the extensive thrombosis causing multi-organ failure includes resuscitation, supportive care and treatment of thrombosis. Treatment options include early anticoagulation and if feasible, thrombolysis

Pathogeny and treatment of cirrhotic portal hypertension complicated by peripheral blood cytope-nia / 临床外科杂志

There are three causes of cirrhotic portal hypertension(CPH)complicated by peripher-al blood cytopenia:splenic factors(about 80%),non-splenic factors(about 4%)and comprehensive fac-tors(about 16%).The treatment includes non-surgical treatment and surgical treatment.Mild to moderate peripheral blood cell reduction is suitable for non-surgical treatment.Severe peripheral blood cytopenia is feasible to surgical treatment.Splenic factors are the main cause of peripheral cytopenia in CPH,but not all;The treatment method should be based on the degree of peripheral blood cytopenia.

Research advances in non-cirrhotic portal hypertension / 临床肝胆病杂志

Although liver cirrhosis is the most common cause of portal hypertension (PH), about 20% of PH cases are caused by non-cirrhotic reasons, which are referred to as non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH), with a high incidence rate in developing countries. NCPH is a group of heterogeneous hepatic vascular diseases, including idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) and extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO), as well as the rare diseases in clinical practice such as Budd-Chiari syndrome, congenital hepatic fibrosis, and nodular regenerative hyperplasia. The patients with NCPH usually have the symptoms of portal hypertension, such as recurrent variceal bleeding and splenomegaly, but liver function is well preserved in these patients. At present, the diagnosis of NCPH lacks a universally accepted standard and remains a challenge. In clinical practice, the method of exclusion is usually applied for the diagnosis of HCPH, and liver biopsy is performed when necessary to make a confirmed diagnosis. This paper introduces the pathogenesis and pathological manifestations of IPH and EHPVO, as well as the selection of diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies. If upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be effectively controlled, NCPH is considered to have a relatively good prognosis.

HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA IN A NON-CIRRHOTIC PATIENT WITH SUSTAINED VIROLOGICAL RESPONSE AFTER HEPATITIS C TREATMENT / Carcinoma hepatocelular em paciente não cirrótico com resposta virológica sustentada após tratamento para hepatite C

Chronic infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the main risk factors for the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the emergence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in non-cirrhotic HCV patients, especially after sustained virological response (SVR) is an unusual event. Recently, it has been suggested that HCV genotype 3 may have a particular oncogenic mechanism, but the factors involved in these cases as well as the profile of these patients are still not fully understood. Thus, we present the case of a non-cirrhotic fifty-year-old male with HCV infection, genotype 3a, who developed HCC two years after treatment with pegylated-interferon and ribavirin, with SVR, in Brazil.

A infecção crônica pelo vírus da hepatite C é um dos principais fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de cirrose hepática e carcinoma hepatocelular. Entretanto, o surgimento do carcinoma hepatocelular em pacientes portadores de hepatite C na ausência de cirrose, especialmente após o tratamento e a obtenção de resposta virológica sustentada, é um evento incomum. Recentemente tem sido sugerido que o genótipo 3 do vírus da hepatite C possa ter um mecanismo oncogênico particular, mas todos os fatores envolvidos nestes casos, assim como o perfil destes pacientes, ainda não estão totalmente esclarecidos. Deste modo, apresentamos o caso de um paciente masculino de 50 anos de idade, com infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C genótipo 3a, não cirrótico, que desenvolveu carcinoma hepatocelular dois anos após ter atingido resposta virológica sustentada com o tratamento com interferon peguilado e ribavirina.