Value of hepatic venous pressure gradient in preoperative evaluation and prognosis prediction in liver transplant recipients / 器官移植

Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the "gold standard" for the diagnosis of portal hypertension, which could be applied in the evaluation of liver cirrhosis. Combined use of HVPG with model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scoring system may more accurately match the donors and recipients undergoing liver transplantation for liver cirrhosis, select the appropriate timing of surgery, and provide guidance for bridging treatment for patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation. Besides, HVPG may also predict clinical prognosis of liver transplant recipients, and provide evidence for early detection and intervention of potential complications. Therefore, the value of HVPG in preoperative evaluation and prognosis prediction of liver transplant recipients was reviewed, aiming to provide guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment of liver transplant recipients before and after surgery.

Hepatic venous pressure gradient affects the efficacy of endoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal varices in hepatitis B cirrhosis / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) on the prevention of rebleeding in cirrhotic patients of hepatitis B with gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage receiving endoscopic therapy, and its influence on prognosis.Methods:Fifty eight patients with esophageal and gastric varices due to cirrhosis of hepatitis B admitted to Minhang Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University (from January 2019 to September 2021, n=18) and Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University (from January to September 2017, n=40) were retrospectively included. All of them underwent HVPG determination and endoscopic treatment. They were divided into HVPG≤18 mmHg group and HVPG>18 mmHg group. The rebleeding and survival status of these patients with endoscopic treatment was compared after a follow-up period of 2 years, and Cox regression was performed to analyze the related factors for rebleeding and survival. Results:A total of 58 individuals were included, which were divided into two groups: HVPG≤18 mmHg group (35) and HVPG>18 mmHg group (23). During the 2-year follow-up after the first endoscopic treatment, 13 patients (22.41%) developed rebleeding, including 4 patients in the HVPG≤18 mmHg group and 9 patients in the HVPG>18 mmHg group. The non-bleeding rate in HVPG≤18 mmHg group was significantly higher than that in HVPG>18 mmHg group (91.3% vs 68.7%, RR=3.54, 95% CI: 1.08-11.60, P=0.026), and the difference was statistically significant. Four patients died, including 1 patient in the HVPG≤18 mmHg group and 3 patients in the HVPG>18 mmHg group. There was no statistically significant difference in 2-year survival between the two groups (96.7% vs 86.5%, RR=4.44, 95% CI: 0.45-43.58, P=0.162). Cox regression multivariate analysis was used to analyze the above data, and the results suggested portal vein thrombosis ( HR=3.826, 95% CI: 1.263-11.585, P=0.018), HVPG>18 mmHg ( HR=4.243, 95% CI: 1.290-13.955, P=0.017) were independent risk factors for rebleeding in 2 years after endoscopic therapy. Conclusions:For patients with high HVPG, it should be fully evaluated and considered to receive other pressure lowering therapy, and treatment conversion should be carried out as soon as possible after endoscopic treatment failure.

Prediction model of portal pressure for HBV-related cirrhosis based on radiomics feature / 中国医师杂志

Objective:In this study, the liver, spleen, and hepatic portal vein in the portal venous phase images of abdominal enhanced computed tomography (CT) are artificially segmented and annotated, and the radiomics features are extracted from them. A model for predicting portal pressure in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) related cirrhosis is constructed by combining radiomics features with clinical indicators.Methods:A total of 171 patients who had abdominal enhancement CT examination and trans-jugular hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement at the same time were enrolled from January 2016 to May 2020 in the Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University. The liver, spleen, and hepatic portal vein in the portal venous phase images of the CT were manually labeled by using ITK-SNAP 3.8 software. The radiomics features of these three sites were extracted using Python programming, and an HVPG prediction model was established.Results:A total of 171 patients was included in the study. The average age was (51.1±10.3)years, of which 134(78.4%) were males, and the average HVPG was 16.87±5.695. A total of 2 553 radiomics features were extracted from three sites of the portal venous phase images of abdominal enhanced CT in each patient. The 2 553 features extracted were screened using LASSO, and by combing with clinical features and radiomics features, the predictive model of HVPG was obtained: m_HVPG=31.622+ 0.028 8T×total bile acids-6.31(portal venous wavelet-LHH_glcm_ClusterShade)=0.253(portal venous wavelet-LHL_glszm_LargeAreaLowGrayLevelEmphasis)-20.9(spleen wavelet-LLH_glcm_Correlation)-0.000 127(liver original_shape_SurfaceArea)+ 2.79(liver wavelet-LLH_glcm_ClusterShade). The coefficient of determination R2 was 0.345. Conclusions:The study suggests that radiomics features of the liver, spleen, and portal venous combined with clinical features may be used as a non-invasive method to assess the portal pressure in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis.

Relationship between hepatic venous pressure gradient and parameters of Doppler ultrasound in 68 patients with pyrroidine alkaloid-related hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome / 中华消化杂志

Objective:To investigate the relationship between hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and parameters of Doppler ultrasound in patients with pyrroidine alkaloid-related hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (PA-HSOS).Methods:From February 17, 2017 to April 22, 2020, the clinical data of 68 patients with PA-HSOS who underwent HVPG manometry and Doppler ultrasound examination at Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Medical College of Nanjing University were retrospectively analyzed, which included HVPG, Drum Tower severity scoring (DTSS), time from PA-HSOS related symptoms appeared to diagnosis after taking pyrroidine alkaloid (hereinafter referred to as diagnosis time), and parameters of Doppler ultrasound induding portal vein trunk diameter (PD), peak portal vein velocity (PPV), splenic vein trunk diameter (SD) and peak splenic vein velocity (PSV). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of HVPG for predicting non-response to anticoagulation therapy. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors for non-response to anticoagulation therapy, and Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the prognostic survival rate of patients with different HVPG levels. Unitary linear regression was applied to analyze the correlation of HVPG with PD, PPV, SD and PSV in patients with different HVPG levels, patients with mild, moderate and severe DTSS, and patients with diagnosis time >1 month or ≤ 1 month. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.Results:The results of ROC analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value of HVPG for predicting non-response to anticoagulant therapy was 20.165 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). The result of multivariate analysis indicated that high HVPG (HVPG>20.165 mmHg) was an independent risk factor for predicting non-response to anticoagulant therapy ( OR (95% confidence interval)=6.039(1.466 to 24.869), P=0.013). Kaplan-Meier survival curve demonstrated that prognostic survival rate of patients with high HVPG was lower than that of patients with low HVPG (HVPG≤20.165 mmHg) (78.4% vs.96.8%), and the difference was statistically significant( χ2=4.74, P=0.030). The results of unitary linear regression analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between HVPG and PPV in 68 patients with PA-HSOS( r=-0.330, P=0.006); HVPG was positively correlated with PD and SD in patients with high HVPG ( r=0.540 and 0.341, P=0.001 and 0.039); there was a negative correlation between HVPG and PSV in patients with mild DTSS ( r=-0.519, P=0.019), HVPG was negatively correlated with PPV in patients with moderate DTSS ( r=-0.400, P=0.014). In patients with diagnosis time ≤1 month, there was a negative correlation between HVPG and PPV ( r=-0.391, P=0.010). Conclusions:HVPG can assist in judging the response to anticoagulation therapy and the prognosis of patients with PA-HSOS. Parameters of Doppler ultrasound can help to assess the degree of HVPG elevation in patients with PA-HSOS under certain conditions.

The application of transjugular liver biopsy in patients with unexplained liver disease / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) in patients with unexplained liver disease complicated with massive ascites or coagulopathy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed from patients underwent TJLB in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhoukou Central Hospital, Shangqiu First People's Hospital and Jincheng People's Hospital from March 2015 to January 2022 due to unexplained liver disease complicated with massive ascites or coagulopathy. A total of 37 patients were included, including 21 males and 16 females, aged (53.5±11.9) years. According to different puncture points, the patients were divided into two groups: transhepatic right vein TJBL and transhepatic middle vein TJBL. The obtained liver tissue sampling effect, puncture times, complications were analyzed.Results:The success rate of TJLB was 97.3%(36/37). Thirty-six patients were able to obtain more than three segments of liver tissue and obtain histological diagnosis, and the pathological diagnosis rate was 100.0%(36/36). The number of puncture times, the amount of hepatic tissue and the number of portal areas in the right hepatic vein group (21 cases) were (3.7±0.9), (3.7±0.7) and (6.5±0.9) respectively, and those in the middle hepatic vein group (15 cases) were (3.7±0.7), (3.7±0.7) and (6.3±0.8) respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:TJLB is safe and feasible for patients with unexplained liver disease complicated with massive peritoneal effusion and coagulopathy. Good liver tissue specimens can be obtained by TJLB from both right hepatic vein and middle hepatic vein.

Pediatric liver transplant portal vein anastomotic stenosis: a comparative study between Doppler ultrasound and intravascular manometry / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation between Doppler ultrasound parameters and pressure gradient of portal vein in pediatric liver transplant patients, and to analyze the diagnostic value of Doppler ultrasound for portal vein stenosis.Methods:This retrospective study involved the data from 92 pediatric liver transplant patients in Tianjin First Central Hospital from June 2014 to September 2021, who underwent pressure gradient measurement. The collected ultrasonic parameters included the diameter and flow velocity of the native portal vein, the portal vein anastomosis, and the donor portal vein. The anastomotic stenosis rate=(the native portal vein diameter–the portal vein anastomosis diameter)/the native portal vein diameter, the velocity ratio=the portal vein anastomosis velocity /the native portal vein velocity, the velocity difference=the portal vein anastomosis velocity–the native portal vein velocity. According to the diagnostic standard of portal vein stenosis, pressure gradient more than 5 mmHg was the portal vein stenosis group, and the pressure gradient less than 5 mmHg was the non-stenosis group. The correlation and differences between ultrasonic parameters and pressure gradient were analyzed. ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of each parameter.Results:Firstly, there was a positive correlation between pressure gradient and the portal vein anastomosis velocity, the velocity difference and the velocity ratio ( r=0.521, 0.531, 0.417; all P<0.001). And there was a negative correlation between pressure gradient and the anastomotic diameter ( r=-0.284, P=0.004). Secondly, the portal vein anastomotic velocity, velocity difference and velocity ratio in stenosis group were significantly higher than those in non-stenosis group [135.5(111.0, 169.0)cm/s vs 103.7(72.9, 118.7)cm/s, (112.2±40.3)cm/s vs (67.9±30.5)cm/s, 5.56(3.73, 7.26) vs 3.85(2.78, 4.70); all P≤0.001]; Furthermore, by ROC curve analysis, the cut-off value, the area under the ROC curve, Jordan index, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of each parameter for the diagnosis of portal vein stenosis were: the anastomotic velocity 124.5 cm/s, 0.814, 0.592, 80.0%, 65.5% and 93.7%; velocity ratio 5.67, 0.760, 0.488, 73.0%, 48.8% and 100%; velocity difference 107.25 cm/s, 0.797, 0.511, 76.0%, 51.9% and 100%. Conclusions:The anastomosis velocity, velocity difference and velocity ratio of portal vein in pediatric liver transplant patients are correlated with the pressure gradient, and there is higher accuracy and specificity of each parameter for diagnosing portal vein stenosis, but the sensitivity is slightly lower.

Discussion on heart transplantation indications in patients with end-stage heart failure complicated with reversible pulmonary artery hypertension / 器官移植

Heart transplantation can save the life and improve the quality of life of patients with end-stage heart failure. Nevertheless, it is not suitable for all patients with end-stage heart failure. As a common complication of end-stage heart failure, pulmonary artery hypertension may increase the incidence of right heart failure after heart transplantation, which is associated with the short- and long-term fatality risk in the recipients after heart transplantation. In clinical practice, different transplant centers have different criteria for heart transplantation indications in patients with end-stage heart failure complicated with pulmonary artery hypertension. Accurate preoperative evaluation of surgical indications plays a critical role in determining the success of heart transplantation. In this article, the definition, pathogenesis and effects on heart transplantation, diagnostic methods and reversibility judgment of pulmonary artery hypertension, diagnostic treatment of reversible pulmonary artery hypertension and indications of heart transplantation in patients with end-stage heart failure complicated with reversible pulmonary hypertension were reviewed.

Clinical research on the perioperative hemodynamic changes recorded by MostCare/PRAM system in the off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To investigate the perioperative hemodynamic changes of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) patients monitored by pulse recorded analysis method (MostCare/PRAM devices) and its relationship with the prognosis. Methods    A total of 89 patients who underwent OPCABG from October 2016 to January 2017 in Beiijng Anzhen Hospital were included, including 53 males and 36 females aged 60.50±8.40 years. The hemodynamic changes were recorded. The patients were divided into two groups (a major adverse cardiovascular events group and a stable group) according to whether major adverse cardiovascular events occurred or not. The difference of hemodynamic changes between the two groups was analysed. Results    The mean percentage increases of stroke volume (SV) in the passive leg raising (PLR) test before opening chest and after chest closure were 23.00%±3.20% and 29.40%±3.70%, respectively. Hemodynamic data were analysed seven times, namely, anaesthesia, opening chest, heparin administration, coronary artery bypass grafting, protamine administration, thoracic closure and after operation. SV was significantly decreased during above periods, while systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) was significantly increased. Cardiac circle efficiency (CCE) and maximum pressure gradient (dP/dT) were decreased after anaesthesia, and decreased to the lowest value during the procedure of bypass grafting, and then they began to increase gradually after the manipulation of bypass grafting was finished. Stroke volume variation (SVV) and pulse pressure variation (PPV) were slightly decreased during anaesthesia, then increased significantly through the whole surgery. Major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 9 patients and 4 of them died. The basic mean values of SVRI, SVV and PPV of patients in the major adverse cardiovascular events group before opening chest were significantly higher than those of patients in the stable group. There was no significant difference in the mean values of CCE, dP/dT or SV between the two groups. There was no significant correlation between the prognosis and the mean values of SVRI, SVV, PPV, CCE, dP/dT or SV. Conclusion    The hemodynamic indexes are not stable, thus, it is necessary to monitor the perioperative hemodynamic changes of OPCABG patients timely by MostCare/PRAM device and adjust treatment measures accordingly.

Application status and prospect of hepatic vein pressure gradient in surgery of patients with liver cirrhosis / 中华消化外科杂志

Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the gold standard for diagnosing portal hypertension in patients with liver cirrhosis. In recent years, the clinical application status of HVPG in cirrhotic portal hypertension has been increasing. HVPG plays an extremely important role in predicting the long‐term prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis, but its prognostic value in surgical risks for patients with liver cirrhosis has long been ignored. The authors analyze the current clinically commonly used evaluation system for the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis and existing problems, and summarize the application status and prospects of HVPG in surgery for patients with liver cirrhosis.

Application of percutaneous transluminal septal branch microsphere embolization in the treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of percutaneous transluminal septal branch anhydrous alcohol ablation (PTSAAA) and percutaneous transluminal septal branch microsphere embolization (PTSBME) in the treatment of patients with symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.Methods:The clinical data of 55 patients with symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy treated by PTSAAA and PTSBME were retrospectively analyzed, among whom 27 were treated with PTSAAA and 28 with PTSBME. The changes of postoperative indicators of the two groups of patients were compared, including the improvement degree of symptoms [shortness of breath after activity (cardiac function NYHA classification), chest tightness, chest pain (angina CCS classification) and amaurosis, the decrease of left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient (LVOTPG)], the ventricular septum thickness shown by color Doppler echocardiography, the incidences of complications at postoperative month 6 and 12, and the incidences of cardiovascular events at follow-up month 12. LSD- t, χ 2 or Fisher exact probability methods were used to compare the differences of indicators between the two groups. Results:Compared to the relative indicators before operation, there were significant differences in shortness of breath after activity, chest pain and amaurosis, LVOTPG, ventricular septum thickness, the incidences of complications at postoperative month 6 and 12 and the incidences of cardiovascular events at follow-up month 12 in both the PTSAAA group and PTSBME group ( P<0.05). The PTSBME group was not inferior to the PTSAAA group in the improvement degree of amaurosis, cardiac function NYHA classification and angina CCS classification and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at postoperative month 6 and 12 ( P>0.05) as well as in the LVOTPG decrease and the ventricular septum thickness at postoperative month 6 [(16.8±7.5) mmHg vs (15.8±7.3) mmHg, (19.8±4.9) mm vs (17.4±4.1) mm, P>0.05], but was superior to the PTSAAA group in the LVOTPG decrease and the ventricular septum thickness at postoperative month 12 [(15.2±6.7) mmHg vs (9.8±5.4) mmHg, (18.4±5.1) mm vs (12.2±3.2) mm, P<0.05]. There were statistical significances in the incidences of cardiovascular events and third degree atrio-ventricular block and nosocomial mortality between the two groups (6 vs 1; 5 vs 0, P<0.05), and the PTSBME group was superior to the PTSAAA group in safety. Conclusion:PTSBME may be a safe and effective method for the management of patients with symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Value of hepatic venous pressure gradient in predicting clinical end events in liver cirrhosis / 临床肝胆病杂志

Liver cirrhosis is the end stage of liver disease, and decompensated liver cirrhosis has the significant feature of portal hypertension. At present, hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) remains the “gold standard” for evaluating portal hypertension and thus has great significance in clinical practice. This article elaborates on the value of HVPG in predicting end events in compensated and decompensated liver cirrhosis and the application of HVPG in evaluating the therapeutic effect of drugs in the treatment of portal hypertension, so as to provide a basis for early prediction, early prevention, and early intervention of portal hypertension in clinical practice.

Aperfeiçoamento de modelo de estimativa da eficiência de remoção de turbidez da água em floculadores tubulares helicoidais / Model improvement for estimating of water turbidity removal efficiency in helical tubular flocculators

RESUMO Estudos científicos têm demonstrado que os floculadores tubulares helicoidais (FTHs) têm alta eficiência na formação de flocos e baixo tempo de retenção hidráulica, quando comparados aos floculadores comumente usados em tratamento de água e esgoto. No entanto, sua aplicação prática é limitada, pois ainda existe demanda significativa por avanços na compreensão da relação entre a hidrodinâmica da unidade e o processo de floculação, bem como critérios e metodologias para auxiliar em projeto racionais de FTH. Nesse contexto, este estudo teve por objetivo propor um aperfeiçoamento no modelo de estimativa de eficiência de remoção de turbidez apresentado por Oliveira (2014), o qual leva em conta um conjunto de parâmetros geométricos, hidráulicos e hidrodinâmicos relevantes ao processo de floculação nesse tipo de reator, pela incorporação de um dos parâmetros mais representativos de processos de floculação, o gradiente de pressão normal (GPp), como uma de suas variáveis independentes. O desenvolvimento do trabalho empregou dinâmica dos fluidos computacional (CFD) no estudo de 84 configurações de FTH, contemplando regimes de escoamento laminar e turbulento. Como resultado, chegou-se a uma nova versão de modelo de estimativa da eficiência de remoção de turbidez da água que, em relação à versão original: tem menor número de variáveis independentes; apresenta melhor ajuste aos dados experimentais; e é mais simples do ponto de vista operacional.

ABSTRACT Scientific studies have been demonstrating that helical tubular flocculators (HTFs) have high efficiency in floc formation and low hydraulic retention time when compared to flocculators commonly used in water and wastewater treatment. However, its practical application is still limited because there is still a significant demand for advances in the understanding of the relationship between the hydrodynamics of the unit and the flocculation process, as well as for criteria and methodologies in support to the rational design of HTF. In this context, the objective of this study was to propose an improvement in the model of turbidity removal efficiency developed by Oliveira (2014), which takes into account a set of geometric, hydraulic and hydrodynamic parameters relevant to the flocculation process in this type of reactor, by incorporating one of the most representative parameters of flocculation processes, the normal pressure gradient, as one of its independent variables. The development of the work employs computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in the study of 84 HTFs configurations, considering laminar and turbulent flow regimes. As a result, a new model version for estimating water turbidity removal's efficiency in helical tubular flocculators was obtained, which, in relation to the original version, has a smaller number of independent variables, presents better fit to the experimental data and is simpler from the operational point of view.

Advances in Research on Serological Assessment of Portal Hypertension / 胃肠病学

Portal hypertension (PH) is a commonly seen complication of chronic liver disease and is a direct cause of decompensated cirrhosis. Early diagnosis of PH is essential for the treatment and prognosis of liver cirrhosis. Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of PH, but its invasiveness limits its use. At present, progress has been achieved on the noninvasive diagnostic techniques and of which the serological indicators are simple for use, including inflammatory mediators, vasoactive substances, extracellular matrix (ECM) components and their circulating degrading products. This article reviewed the advances in research on serological assessment of PH.

A feasibility study of fractional flow reserve assessment for carotid artery stenosis interventional therapy / 中国脑血管病杂志

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of interventional therapy for carotid atherosclerotic stenosis using fractional flow reserve (FFR). Methods All 30 consecutive patients with symptomatic severe carotid artery stenosis (lumen stenosis > 70%) and stent implantation were retrospectively recruited. Among them, 25 patients were with cerebral infarction and 5 patients with transient ischemic attack. The blood flow of carotid atherosclerotic stenosis was measured by pressure wire. The stenosis rate,FFR (distal/proximal pressure ratio) and translesional pressure gradient (proximal pressure-distal pressure) were measured before and after intervention. Correlation between stenosis rate and FFR or translesional pressure gradient was analyzed by the Pearson correlation test. Results All 30 patients had pressure wire successfully pass the stenosis, and FFR and translesional pressure gradients were measured. Before intervention, the mean stenosis rate, FFR and translesional pressure gradients were (84 ± 6) %,0. 67 ±0. 15 and (32 ± 7) mmHg. Corresponding post-intervention measurements were (30 ± 10)%,0. 82 ± 0. 11 and (18 ± 9) mmHg respectively. The post-intervention vascular stenosis rate and translesional pressure gradient were significantly lower than those before intervention with statistically significant differences (all P <0. 01). Before intervention,vascular stenosis rate was significantly correlated with FFR and translesional pressure gradient (r was - 0 . 8 6 and 0.96, respectively, all P < 0. 01). No intracerebral hemorrhage and vascular dissection occurred by vascular puncture rupture in patients during FFR and translesional pressure gradient measurement by pressure wire. Conclusion Application of FFR is feasible and safe to evaluate the interventional treatment of carotid atherosclerosis stenosis,but more studies are needed for further verification.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided portal pressure gradient measurement: a pilot animal study / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided portal pressure gradient (EUS-PPG) measurement in the normal porcine model.Methods Four pigs,2 male and 2 female,aged 8-12 months,weighing 20-30 kg were selected in the experiment.Under general anesthesia and EUS guidance,a 22 G fine needle connected to electrocardiograph monitor with a central vein pressure manometer was used to puncture and measure pressures in the portal vein (PV) and hepatic vein (HV) or inferior vena cava (IVC).Pressures were measured three times for each vessel and the mean pressure was recorded.The PPG was recorded as the difference between the PV pressure and HV or IVC pressure.Vital signs during and after the procedure and operation-related complications were monitored.Results EUS-PPG measurement was successful in all targeted vessels.The PV pressure,HV or IVC pressure,and PPG was 11.0±1.0 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),7.3±1.1 mmHg and 3.8±0.9 mmHg,respectively.No adverse event occurred.Conclusion EUS-PPG measurement has a high successful rate and reliable accuracy and safety reflecting the portal vein pressure.

Value of rectoanal pressure gradient in seated position in evaluation of anorectal motility disorder in patients with constipation / 中华消化杂志

Objective To investigate the differences of anorectal manometry (ARM) parameters in different position (left lateral position and seated position) in patients with functional constipation (FC),and the value of rectoanal pressure gradient (RAPG) was assessed in seated position in the evaluation of anorectal motility disorder in patients with FC.Methods From March 2015 to July 2016,at Clinical Gastrointestinal Motility Center of Ningbo Yinzhou People's Hospital,66 consecutive patients with FC aged 18 to 75 who met Rome Ⅲ criteria were recruited.The questionnaires of patient assessment of constipation symptom (PAC-SYM)and patient assessment of constipation quality of life (PAC-QoL) were recorded.Patients randomly underwent ARM examination in left lateral or seated positions,and then followed by a balloon expulsion test (BET) in seated position.The differences of ARM parameters in different positions were compared.The correlation between ARM parameters and BET results,constipation symptoms and quality of life scores were analyzed.T-test,Spearman correlation analysis and Kappa coefficient were performed for statistical analysis.Results ARM parameters including rectal resting pressure,rectal defecation pressure and RAPG in seated position were both higher than those of left lateral position ((30.83 ±7.89) mmHg (1 mmHg =0.133 kPa) vs.(10.53 ± 3.94) mmHg,(78.86±22.25) mmHg vs.(54.92±21.26) mmHg,(17.53 ±27.40) mmHg vs.(-7.80 ±26.88) mmHg),and the differences were statistically significant (t =-21.10,-12.35 and-8.84,all P ＜ 0.01).However,there was no significant difference in anal-related pressure parameters (P ＞ 0.05).The RAPG in seated position was highly consistent with BET,with a maximum Kappa-value of 0.643,which was higher than the maxium Kappa-value of 0.349 in left lateral position.The optimal RAPG threshold of seated position was 10 mmHg,the sensitivity of RAPG in the prediction of BET was 85.71％ and the specificity was 79.17％.According to the optimal RAPG threshold in seated position,the patients were divided into high RAPG group and low RAPG group.The frequency of weekly spontaneous defecation of high RAPG group was higher than that of low RAPG group (2.88 ±2.16 vs.1.66 ±0.96),and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.65,P=0.01).The satisfaction score of PAC-QoL questionnaire of high RAPG group was lower than that of low RAPG group (2.05 ±0.55 vs.2.83 ±0.78),and the difference was statistically significant (t =-4.72,P ＜0.01).Conclusion It may be more reasonable to perform ARM in the seated position in FC patients,especially for the RAPG in seated position is better correlated with BET results,constipation symptoms and quality of life scores which may have more clinical value in the evaluation of anorectal motility disorder in FC patients.

Systolic aortic regurgitation in rheumatic carditis: Mechanistic insight by Doppler echocardiography

Background Aortic regurgitation (AR) usually occurs in diastole in presence of an incompetent aortic valve. Systolic AR is a rare phenomenon occurring in patients with reduced left ventricular systolic pressure and atrial fibrillation or premature ventricular contractions. Its occurrence is a Doppler peculiarity and adds to the hemodynamic burden. Aim Rheumatic carditis is often characterised by acute or subacute severe mitral regurgitation (MR) due to flail anterior mitral leaflet and elongated chords. In patients with acute or subacute MR, developed left ventricular systolic pressure may fall in mid and late systole due to reduced afterload and end-systolic volume and may be lower than the aortic systolic pressure, causing flow reversal in aorta and systolic AR. Material and methods 17 patients with acute rheumatic fever were studied in the echocardiography lab during the period 2005–2015. Five patients had severe MR of which two had no AR and hence were excluded from the study. Three young male patients (age 8–24 years) who met modified Jones’ criteria for rheumatic fever with mitral and aortic valve involvement were studied for the presence of systolic AR. Results In presence of acute or subacute severe MR, flail anterior mitral valve and heart failure, all three showed both diastolic and late systolic AR by continuous-wave and color Doppler echocardiography. Conclusion Systolic AR is a unique hemodynamic phenomenon in patients with acute rheumatic carditis involving both mitral and aortic valves and occurs in presence of severe MR.

Transitions of the Understanding and Definition of Primary Glaucoma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Objective@#In previous decades, glaucoma has been primarily attributed to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), but this has gradually been replaced by the development of optic neuropathy as the central concept of glaucoma in developed countries. However, there still remain strong controversies in the definition of glaucoma in China. In this current review, we are going to discuss these controversies and elaborate on the historical transitions of the definition of glaucoma both in China and developed countries. Furthermore, we will briefly describe the "ocular-cranial pressure gradient" theory and discuss the relationship between glaucoma and degenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) in order to show the complex pathogenesis of glaucoma and the importance for the modification to the definition of glaucoma.@*Data Sources@#We performed a comprehensive search in both PubMed and SinoMed using the following keywords: (a) "primary glaucoma" and "guideline," (b) "ocular-cranial pressure gradient," and (c) "glaucoma," "Alzheimer's disease," and "Parkinson's disease." The literature search included the related articles with no restrictions on publication date.@*Study Selection@#The primary references were Chinese and English articles including (a) original guidelines and expert consensuses of primary glaucoma, (b) reviews focusing on the differences between various versions of these guidelines and consensuses, and (c) papers about ocular-cranial pressure gradient theory and the relationship between glaucoma and CNS degenerative diseases.@*Results@#The definitions and classifications of both primary open-angle glaucoma and primary angle-closure glaucoma differ between Chinese glaucoma consensuses and international primary glaucoma guidelines. Chinese definitions and classifications put more emphasis on the IOP, while international guidelines put more emphasis on the presence of optic neuropathy. The ocular-cranial pressure gradient theory and the research on the relationship between glaucoma and CNS degenerative diseases have provided new directions for exploring the pathogenesis of glaucoma.@*Conclusions@#As regards the definition and classification of primary glaucoma, we find that there are still some discrepancies between Chinese expert consensuses and international guidelines. Glaucoma is a disease with complex etiologies, while its common characteristic is a specific optic neuropathy. The current definition and understanding of glaucoma is an ongoing and evolving process, reflecting our latest available evidence on its pathogenesis. Chinese ophthalmology community may need to update our guidelines, accommodating these latest developments.

Analysis of 833 times measured hepatic venous pressure gradient / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective@#To summarize and analyze the clinical data of hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and to explore the application value of HVPG in the diagnosis, evaluation and clinical treatment of portal hypertension in cirrhosis.@*Methods@#The patient data of HVPG measurement performed in Shandong Provincial Hospital from April 2010 to November 2017 were collected.@*Results@#A total of 633 patients with 833 times of HVPG measurements were included. There was significant difference in HVPG between patients with different etiologies, different Child-pugh grades and different degrees of decompensated cirrhosis.@*Conclusion@#The HVPG test is suitable for the diagnosis and evaluation of portal hypertension. The HVPG of patients with different severity of liver cirrhosis can guide the choice of the treatment plan, and the HVPG measurement should also be strictly standardized and quality control.

Strategy for diagnosis and precise treatment of portal hypertension with hepatic venous pressure gradient: a dream or a reality? / 中华肝脏病杂志

Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, is a chronic, occult progression that is potentially reversible and complicated. The hepatic venous pressure gradient is a "gold standard" for risk stratification of liver cirrhosis and is superior to pathological examination of liver. This article briefly assesses the invasive and non-invasive measuring methods of the hepatic venous pressure gradient. With the hepatic venous pressure gradient-guided precise treatment for hepatic cirrhosis of portal hypertension, the incidence of clinical endpoints of hepatic portal hypertension can be significantly reduced. Establishing a long-term monitoring and management model similar to "high blood pressure" is a dream for the diagnosis and treatment of future cirrhosis and portal hypertension.