RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To perform a prospective study the effects of autologous peripheral blood stem cell (APBSC) transplantation on acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related decompensated cirrhosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 68 hospitalized patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis undergoing conventional treatment were included in the study. Thirty-three of these patients also received APBSC transplantation therapy (treatment group) and 35 did not (control group). The treatment group was observed for postoperative adverse reaction, and changes (pre-vs.post-treatment) in total bilirubin, prothrombin time (PT), albumin (Alb), spleen size and ARFI imaging findings. Statistical analyses were carried out using the t-test, non-parametric test, and chi-square test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients who received APBSC transplantation showed improving levels of Alb and PT, but not of total bilirubin, at postoperative weeks 24, 36 and 48, and reduced spleen length and ARFI findings at postoperative weeks 36 and 48.Compared to the baseline data (week 0) for the treatment group and to the data for the control groups, these differences were statistically significant (P less than 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>APBSC transplantation can reduce ARFI imaging findings and improve the pathology of liver fibrosis in patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis.</p>