Visión general de las várices gástricas y su tratamiento / Overview of gastric varices and their treatment

Las várices gástricas (VG) son un complejo de colaterales vasculares entre la circulación portal y sistémica, condición que se desarrolla como resultado de la presión elevada en el sistema venoso portal. Se encuentran en el 20 % de los pacientes con cirrosis, y son menos frecuentes que las várices esofágicas. Según la clasificación de Sarin, las VG se dividen en cuatro tipos según su ubicación en el estómago y su relación con las várices esofágicas (GOV1, GOV2, IGV1 e IGV2). Entender su hemodinámica con respecto a las rutas de drenaje de las VG es importante para guiar su tratamiento.

Gastric varices (GV) are a complex of vascular collaterals between portal and systemic circulation, a condition that develops as a result of elevated pressure in the portal venous system. They are found in 20% of patients with cirrhosis, and are less common than esophageal varices. According to the Sarin classification, GV are divided into four types based on their location in the stomach and their relationship with esophageal varices (GOV1, GOV2, IGV1, and IGV2). Understanding their hemodynamics with respect to GV drainage routes is important to guide their treatment.

TIPS en pacientes cirróticos con trombosis venosa portal: una revisión de la literatura / TIPS in cirrhotic patients with portal vein thrombosis: A review of the literature

En los últimos años, la trombosis de la vena porta entre los pacientes cirróticos se ha comportado como una entidad reconocida y cada vez más estudiada, no solo por su creciente incidencia, sino por la asociación con gravedad y mal pronóstico en cirrosis. Asimismo, se hacen objeto de estudio las terapias disponibles para el manejo tanto médico como quirúrgico de estos pacientes, lo que ha dado un papel importante a la derivación portosistémica transyugular intrahepática (TIPS). El uso de TIPS en esta población se posiciona como una alternativa de manejo aceptable, no solo por brindar mejoría en las complicaciones derivadas de la hipertensión portal, sino también por sus resultados prometedores en diferentes estudios sobre el flujo y la recanalización portal, y por su perfil de seguridad. Sin embargo, la eficacia, los efectos adversos a largo plazo y el pronóstico de dicha intervención en la compleja fisiopatología de la cirrosis deben continuar en estudio. El objetivo de este artículo es revisar los avances del uso de TIPS en el manejo de pacientes con cirrosis hepática y trombosis portal.

In recent years, portal vein thrombosis among cirrhotic patients has been a well-recognized and continuously studied entity, not only because of its increasing incidence but also because of its association with severity and poor prognosis in cirrhosis. Likewise, therapies available for both medical and surgical management in these patients are being studied, which has given an important role to the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). The use of TIPS in this population is positioned as an acceptable management alternative, not only because it provides improvement in complications derived from portal hypertension, but also because of its promising results in different studies on portal flow and recanalization upgrade, and for its safety. However, the efficacy, long-term adverse effects, and prognosis of this intervention in the complex pathophysiology of cirrhosis must continue to be studied. The objective of this article is to review the advances in the use of TIPS in the management of patients with liver cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis.

Research progress in perioperative management of portal vein thrombosis in liver transplantation / 器官移植

Portal vein thrombosis is one of the common complications of liver cirrhosis. The incidence of portal vein thrombosis is increased with the progression of diseases. The incidence and progression of portal vein thrombosis are associated with multiple factors. The indications of anticoagulant therapy remain to be investigated. At present, portal vein thrombosis is no longer considered as a contraindication for liver transplantation. Nevertheless, complicated portal vein thrombosis will increase perioperative risk of liver transplantation. How to restore the blood flow of portal vein system is a challenge for surgical decision-making in clinical practice. Rational preoperative typing, surgical planning and portal vein reconstruction are the keys to ensure favorable long-term prognosis of liver transplant recipients. In this article, epidemiological status, risk factors, typing and identification of portal vein thrombosis, preoperative and intraoperative management of portal vein thrombosis in liver transplantation, and the impact of portal vein thrombosis on the outcomes of liver transplantation were reviewed, aiming to provide reference for perioperative management of portal vein thrombosis throughout liver transplantation.

Carcinoma de vías biliares intrahepáticas: análisis de defunciones según sexo, grupo etario y regiones en Chile entre 2017-2021 / Intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma: analysis of deaths according to sex, age group, and regions in Chile between 2017-2021

Introducción: el colangiocarcinoma intrahepático es un cáncer agresivo de células epiteliales de los conductos biliares intrahepáticos y su desarrollo se asocia a inflamación crónica del árbol biliar. En Chile, su epidemiología es limitada y el presente estudio tiene por objetivo describir su tasa de mortalidad. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo observacional transversal y ecológico de las defunciones por carcinoma de vías biliares en Chile durante 2017 y 2021 según sexo, grupo etario y región de residencia. Resultados: la tasa de mortalidad nacional de personas mayores a 20 años durante el periodo estudiado fue de 1,56 por cada 100.000 habitantes. La tasa de mortalidad más alta del sexo masculino se observó en 2020, siendo de 2,61. La mayor mortalidad se encontró en personas mayores a 80 años en el sexo masculino con una tasa de 24,38. A nivel regional, en Magallanes se observó la mayor tasa de mortalidad con 5,66, mientras que Tarapacá presentó la menor tasa con un valor de 0,96. Finalmente, el índice de Swaroop fue igual o mayor al 92% en todas las regiones del país. Conclusión: la mayor mortalidad por colangiocarcinoma intrahepático se presenta en personas de edad avanzada y de sexo masculino. Interesantemente la mayor mortalidad por esta causa se concentra en la zona sur de Chile. Dada la magnitud del problema que representa esta enfermedad en la salud pública nacional es que futuros estudios son necesarios para establecer medidas de prevención y/o tratamiento de esta enfermedad.

Introduction: intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is an aggressive cancer of epithelial cells of the intrahepatic bile ducts, and its deve-lopment is associated with chronic inflammation of the biliary tree. In Chile, its epidemiology is limited, and the present study aims to describe its mortality rate. Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional, observational, and ecological study of deaths from bile duct carcinoma in Chile between 2017 and 2021 was performed according to sex, age group, and region of residence. Results: the national mortality rate of people over 20 years old during the study period was 1.56 per 100,000 inhabitants. The highest mortality rate for the male sex was observed in 2020, with a value of 2.61. In turn, the highest mortality rate was found in people over 80 years old in the male sex, with a rate value of 24.38. On a regional level, Magallanes had the highest mortality rate, with a rate value of 5.66, while Tarapacá had the lowest rate, with a value of 0.96. Finally, Swaroop's index was equal to or greater than 92% in all regions of the country. Conclusion: the highest mortality from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma occurs in older people and males. Interestingly, the highest mortality from this cause is concentrated in the southern zone of Chile. Given the magnitude of the problem that this disease represents for national public health, future studies are necessary to establish both prevention measures and treatments

A Retrospective Analysis of Fetal and Maternal Outcome in Patients with Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy

Background: Introduction: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), is the most common liver disease specific to pregnancy. Previous studies of fetal effects have suggested that ICP is associated with a higher rate of adverse neonatal outcomes including preterm birth, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), meconium-stained amniotic fluid, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and stillbirth. Material & Methods: This was a 4 year retrospective observational study including 43,344 female who delivered in our hospital out of which 1126 cases of ICP were identified, who were compared with 1136 age and parity matched controls. Results: : Previous history and family history of ICP was significant in the ICP group. Gestational diabetes and preterm labour were more frequent in the ICP group. Mean birth weight was lower in the ICP group, rate of small for gestational age foetuses was not significantly different. Cesearean section and post-partum haemorrhage was more frequent in the ICP group. Adverse neonatal outcomes i.e. respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and need for NICU admission were more in the ICP group. Conclusion: ICP is associated with increased rate of preterm delivery, post-partum hemorrhage and increased neonatal morbidity. Management of patients with ICP should be individualized based on the severity of symptoms and associated medical complications.

Fístula arteriovenosa post-TIPS, un reto diagnóstico: reporte de caso / Post-TIPS arteriovenous fistula, a diagnostic challenge: case report

La hipertensión portal es una de las principales complicaciones de la cirrosis. El papel de la derivación portosistémica transyugular intrahepática (TIPS, por sus siglas en inglés), ha ganado aceptación como tratamiento efectivo en la hipertensión portal. En los últimos años su técnica se ha ido perfeccionando, disminuyendo la morbimortalidad relacionada con este procedimiento. Describimos un caso de un paciente masculino con cirrosis Child-Pugh 8 y MELD 16, con antecedente de descompensación por sangrado variceal recurrente y trombosis parcial de la vena porta, con un gradiente de presión venosa hepática (GPVH) de 20 mmHg, por lo que es llevado a TIPS como profilaxis secundaria, con un gradiente final post-TIPS de 6 mmHg. Posterior al procedimiento, presentó evolución tórpida con deterioro de las pruebas de bioquímica hepática. Se realizó una angiografía demostrando permeabilidad del TIPS sin progresión de la trombosis portal, y hallazgos anormales inespecíficos de la arteria hepática. Se decidió realizar una arteriografía selectiva, demostrando un pseudoaneurisma de la rama derecha de la arteria hepática y una fístula arteriovenosa de la arteria hepática a las colaterales portales. Se realizó embolización selectiva de la fístula con evolución satisfactoria del paciente.

Portal hypertension is a life-threatening complication of cirrhosis. The role of transyugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) has gained acceptance as an effective treatment for portal hypertension. In the past few years, its technique has been improved, decreasing the mortality related with the procedure. We describe a case of a male with Child-Pugh 8 and MELD 16 cirrhosis, with previous decompensation of recurrent variceal bleeding and partial thrombosis of the portal vein. TIPS was performed due to a hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) of 20 mmHg. The final measure showed HVPG of 6 mmHg. After the procedure, he presented a torpid evolution with deterioration of liver function tests. An angiography was performed demonstrating patency of the TIPS without progression of portal thrombosis and nonspecific abnormal findings of the hepatic artery. Selective arteriography was performed and revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the right branch of the hepatic artery and an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) from the hepatic artery to portal collaterals. Embolization was performed to treat the fistula with satisfactory evolution of the patient.

Alternativas de manejo intervencionista en el síndrome de Budd-Chiari. Serie de casos y revisión de la literatura / Interventional management alternatives in Budd-Chiari syndrome. Series of cases and review of the literature

La obstrucción en el tracto de salida del flujo venoso hepático, también conocida como síndrome de Budd-Chiari, es una condición infrecuente que causa congestión hepática, hipertensión portal, ne-crosis de los hepatocitos y, eventualmente, falla hepática aguda o crónica. Actualmente, el manejo de esta condición representa un reto para el médico, quien debe estar preparado para determinar la mejor alternativa entre las diferentes opciones terapéuticas disponibles. Este artículo pretende ilus-trar las alternativas del manejo intervencionista de esta enfermedad, a través de una serie de casos de pacientes tratados en el servicio de Radiología Intervencionista de un hospital de referencia de la ciudad de Medellín, entre 2011 y 2017.

Hepatic venous outflow tract obstruction, also known as Budd-Chiari syndrome, is a rare condition that causes hepatic congestion, portal hypertension, hepatocyte necrosis and eventually acute or chronic liver failure. Currently, the management of this condition represents a challenge for the physi-cian, who must be prepared to determine the best alternative among the different therapeutic options available. This article aims to illustrate the alternatives of interventional management of this disease, through a series of cases of patients treated in the Interventional Radiology service of a referral hos-pital in the city of Medellin, between 2011 and 2017.

Pharmaceutical care of patients with antithrombotic therapy after transjugular intrahepatic portal shunt / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

AIM: To explore the role of clinical pharmacist in the treatment of patients with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. METHODS: Clinical pharmacist participated in the treatment of a patient with repeated oral bleeding after transjugular intrahepatic portal shunt followed treatment with multiple antithrombotic drugs, which assisted the physician to diagnose and adjust the antithrombotic treatment plan as well as provided the patient with whole-process pharmaceutical care and online management. RESULTS: Based on the inquiry about the patient's past and current medical history and medication consumption, the pharmacist considered that there was weak correlation between oral hemorrhage and antithrombotic drugs and advised for dentist inspection. Thereafter, the patient was diagnosed with chronic gingivitis. The dosage of warfarin was adjusted, and the pharmacists managed it online after discharge to achieve stable INR of the patient. In the later online follow-up, an abnormal increase of INR was encountered, By asking about the history of medication, it was considered that the increase in INR was related to taking amoxicillin capsules. Therefore, the pharmacist suggested to stop amoxicillin capsule and to gradually adjust the dose of warfarin to the original level to improve the treatment. CONCLUSION: The involvement of clinical pharmacists in clinical treatment facilitates comprehensive pharmaceutical care of patients, which plays a positive role in the efficacy and safety of medication therapy.

Portal vein aneurysm after liver transplantation: report of two cases and literature review / 器官移植

Objective To summarize the diagnosis and treatment experience of portal vein aneurysm after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of two recipients with portal vein aneurysm after liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis were summarized based on literature review. Results Both two cases were diagnosed with intrahepatic portal vein aneurysm complicated with portal vein thrombosis and portal hypertension after liver transplantation. Case 1 was given with targeted conservative treatment and he refused to undergo liver retransplantation. Physical condition was worsened after discharge, and the patient eventually died from liver graft failure, kidney failure, lung infection, and septic shock. Case 2 received high-dose glucocorticoid pulse therapy, whereas liver function was not improved, and the patient was recovered successfully after secondary liver transplantation. Conclusions Long-term complication of portal vein aneurysm (especially intrahepatic type) after liver transplantation probably indicates poor prognosis. Correct understanding, intimate follow-up and active treatment should be conducted. Liver retransplantation may be a potential treatment regimen.

Research progress of FAPI PET/CT in the diagnosis of malignant liver tumors / 中华肝脏病杂志

Malignant liver tumors have a high incidence and mortality rate. Therefore, it is of great significance to promptly learn about tumor advancement status through relevant examinations for patients' follow-up, diagnosis, and therapy as well as the improvement of the five-year survival rate. The primary lesions and intrahepatic metastases of malignant liver tumors have been better demonstrated in the clinical study with the use of various isotope-labeled fibroblast activating protein inhibitors because of their low uptake in liver tissues and high tumor/background ratio, which provides a new method for early diagnosis, precise staging, and radionuclide therapy. In light of this context, a review of the research progress of fibroblast-activating protein inhibitors for the diagnosis of liver malignant tumors is presented.

Factors influencing bilirubin elevation and its correlation with UGT1A1 gene polymorphism in the early postoperative period of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To investigate the factors influencing total bilirubin elevation and its correlation with UGT1A1 gene polymorphism in the early postoperative period of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). Methods: 104 cases with portal hypertension and esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVB) treated with elective TIPS treatment were selected as the study subjects and were divided into a bilirubin-elevated group and a normal bilirubin group according to the total bilirubin elevation level during the early postoperative period. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to analyze the factors influencing total bilirubin elevation in the early postoperative period. PCR amplification and first-generation sequencing technology were used to detect the polymorphic loci of the UGT1A1 gene promoter TATA box, enhancer c.-3279 T > G, c.211G > A, and c.686C > A. Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation of four locus alleles and genotypes with elevated total bilirubin in the early postoperative period. Results: Among the 104 cases, 47 patients were in the bilirubin elevated group, including 35 males (74.5%) and 12 females (25.5%), aged (50.72 ± 12.56) years. There were 57 cases in the normal bilirubin group, including 42 males (73.7%) and 15 females (26.3%), aged (51.63 ± 11.10) years. There was no statistically significant difference in age (t = -0.391, P = 0.697) and gender (χ(2) = 0.008, P = 0.928) between the two groups of patients. Univariate analysis revealed that preoperative alanine transaminase (ALT) level (χ(2) = 5.954, P = 0.015), total bilirubin level (χ(2) = 16.638, P < 0.001), MELD score (χ(2) = 10.054, P = 0.018), Child-Pugh score (χ(2) = 6.844, P = 0.022), and postoperative portal vein branch development (χ(2) = 6.738, P = 0.034) were statistically significantly different between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative ALT level, total bilirubin level, and portal vein branch development after TIPS were correlated with the elevated total bilirubin in the early postoperative period. The polymorphism of the c.211G > A locus of the UGT1A1 gene correlation had elevated total bilirubin in the early postoperative period of TIPS. The risk of elevated total bilirubin was increased in the population carrying allele A (P = 0.001, OR = 4.049) in the early postoperative period. Allelic polymorphisms in the TATA box promoter region and enhancer c.-3279 T > G and c.686C > A had no statistically significant difference between the bilirubin-elevated group and the normal bilirubin group. Conclusion: The preoperative ALT level, total bilirubin level, and portal vein branch development are correlated with the elevated total bilirubin in early postoperative patients. The polymorphisms of the UGT1A1 gene and enhancer c.211G > A are correlated with the occurrence of elevated total bilirubin in the early postoperative period of TIPS. Allele A carrier may have a higher risk of elevated total bilirubin in the early postoperative period.

Prognostic Value of MRI Arterial-phase Enhancement Pattern in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Patients / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveTo investigate the prognostic value of the enhancement pattern in arterial phase of preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） in evaluating the disease-free survival （DFS） and overall survival （OS） in patients undergoing curative resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma （ICC）. MethodsA retrospective analysis was done on the clinical， preoperative MRI findings and postoperative follow-up results of 93 pathologically confirmed ICC patients undergoing surgery in our hospital between January 2018 and December 2021. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank test were used to compare the DFS and OS of three groups with different arterial enhancement patterns. Cox regression analysis was used to identify the factors affecting DFS and OS. ResultsThere were significant differences in DFS and OS among the 3 groups （log-rank test， P < 0.05）. The arterial enhancement pattern was an independent predictive factor for DFS （using diffuse hyperenhancement as a reference， peripheral rim enhancement： HR = 3.550； 95%CI： 1.16 ~ 10.8； P = 0.026；diffuse hypoenhancement： HR = 3.430； 95%CI： 1.04 ~ 11.3； P = 0.042）. The arterial enhancement pattern and tumor location were predictive factors for OS （（using diffuse hyperenhancement as a reference， diffuse hypoenhancement， HR = 8.500； 95%CI： 1.09-66.3； P = 0.041； using tumor distal location as a reference， tumor perihilar location HR=2.583，95%CI： 1.14-5.83， P =0.022）. The AUC of arterial enhancement patterns in predicting 1-， 2-， and 3- year DFS were 0.722， 0.748， and 0.617， respectively； in OS， 0.720， 0.704， and 0.730， respectively， which showed better prognostic efficacy than AJCC-TNM staging system. ConclusionArterial-phase enhancement pattern of preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI is an independent predictive factor for DFS and OS of ICC patients， with a better prognostic value than AJCC-TNM staging system， and can be used for the clinical management of ICC patients.

Progress on biliary flora and primary intrahepatic stone formation / 公共卫生与预防医学

Primary intrahepatic stone （PIS）is one of the intractable diseases in hepatobiliary surgery and an important cause of death from benign biliary tract diseases, and it has a high prevalence in the Yangtze River basin and southeastern coastal areas of China. At present, the mechanism of PIS occurrence has not been fully elucidated, but the role of biliary flora in the formation of PIS has been recognized by more and more studies. This article reviews the research progress of biliary flora in the formation of PIS with a view to strengthening the clinical understanding of mechanism of PIS, increasing the attention to the detection of biliary flora, and providing a reference for the prevention and treatment of PIS and the improvement of prognosis.

Association between transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and sarcopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis / 临床肝胆病杂志

Sarcopenia is a common complication of liver cirrhosis and is significantly associated with poor prognosis. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an important method for the treatment of portal hypertension and its complications. Based on current studies, this article analyzes the association between sarcopenia and the outcomes (hepatic encephalopathy and mortality) of patients with liver cirrhosis after TIPS and the value of improving the predictive ability of existing prognostic models for sarcopenia, as well as the improvement in sarcopenia after TIPS and its significance in the clinical management of patients with liver cirrhosis. A comprehensive analysis of existing reports show that baseline sarcopenia is associated with poor prognosis after TIPS, and it is thus recommended to evaluate nutritional status before TIPS based on radiological examination; TIPS can improve nutritional status and help to achieve reversal or improvement of sarcopenia to a certain extent, and it can also be translated into survival benefit. Therefore, for patients with sarcopenia and a relatively stable disease, TIPS can be performed as soon as possible after comprehensive evaluation.

Current status and advances in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in treatment of refractory ascites due to portal hypertension / 临床肝胆病杂志

Refractory ascites is one of the common complications of portal hypertension in decompensated liver cirrhosis and is characterized by extremely poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is recommended by several international and national guidelines as one of the treatment methods after failure of large volume paracentesis combined protein infusion therapy. TIPS can effectively control the recurrence of ascites, but it can increase the risk of hepatic encephalopathy, and there are still controversies over whether it can prolong survival time. With a deeper understanding of TIPS, the maturity of surgical techniques, and the update of stent materials, it is urgent to reevaluate the position of TIPS in the treatment of refractory ascites due to portal hypertension. This article reviews the current status and advances in TIPS for the treatment of refractory ascites due to portal hypertension.

Comparison of endoscopic therapy and TIPS in prophylaxis and treatment of variceal bleeding in decompensated portal hypertension / 临床肝胆病杂志

Esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB) is one of the main complications of decompensated portal hypertension, especially in patients with liver cirrhosis, and it often has a high mortality rate. Medication combined with endoscopy is the main prevention and treatment method for EGVB, while transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) combined with variceal embolization can also be selected for some high-risk patients, and individualized diagnosis and treatment of portal hypertension based on hepatic venous pressure gradient should become the latest consensus and the main strategy. This article mainly reviews endoscopic therapy and TIPS for the prevention and treatment of EGVB patients with decompensated portal hypertension in terms of selection of indications, incidence rate of complications, and respective advantages and disadvantages.

Clinical application of early transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and related and research advances / 临床肝胆病杂志

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a procedure to establish a portosystemic shunt between the hepatic vein and the portal vein via the jugular approach, so as to reduce portal venous pressure and control acute esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB). The prognosis of EGVB has been improved significantly over the past few decades, and endoscopic variceal ligation combined with drug therapy is now recommended as the first-line treatment regimen for this disease. The latest research advances in the management of EGVB over the past decade have focused on the relatively new concept of "early" or "pre-emptive" TIPS, that is to say, early TIPS (within 72 hours after admission, ideally within 24 hours) is recommended for patients with EGVB who are at a relatively high risk of failure in standard treatment. This article briefly introduces the effect of early TIPS on controlling bleeding, mortality rate, and hepatic encephalopathy, the high-risk population for early TIPS, timing of intervention, cost effectiveness, the applications of early TIPS in a real-world setting, and recommendations for early TIPS in international guidelines and consensus statements.

Current research status of prognostic models for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt / 临床肝胆病杂志

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a safe and effective method for the treatment of portal hypertension complications in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. At present, there are many prognostic scoring tools for risk stratification of poor prognosis after TIPS. This article briefly introduces seven prognostic scoring tools commonly used for TIPS and summarizes the clinical research evidence of each scoring tool. The literature review shows that there is currently no sufficient research evidence to determine the optimal prognostic scoring tool after TIPS. Future clinical studies should comprehensively explore the advantages and disadvantages of different scoring tools in predicting short- and long-term adverse prognostic events after TIPS and develop new prognostic scoring tools in combination with new prognostic markers.

Value of different scoring models in predicting the survival of patients with liver cirrhosis after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt / 临床肝胆病杂志

Objective To compare the value of Child-Pugh score, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, MELD combined with serum sodium concentration (MELD-Na) score, CLIF Consortium Acute Decompensation (CLIF-C AD) score, and Freiburg index of post-transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) survival (FIPS) score in predicting the survival of patients undergoing TIPS. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 447 patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent TIPS in several hospitals in southwest China, among whom there were 306 patients in the survival group and 62 in the death group. The scores of the above five models were calculated, and a survival analysis was performed based on these models. The independent samples t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups; the Pearson chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups; a multivariate Cox regression analysis was used for correction analysis of known influencing factors with statistical significance which were not included in the scoring models; the Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the discriminatory ability of each model in identifying risks in the surgical population, and the log-rank test was used for analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), C-index at different time points, and calibration curve were used to evaluate the predictive ability of each scoring model. Results Compared with the death group, the survival group had significantly lower age ( Z =2.884, P < 0.05), higher albumin ( t =3.577, P < 0.05), and Na + ( Z =-3.756, P < 0.05) and significantly lower proportion of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis ( χ 2 =22.674, P < 0.05), aspartate aminotransferase ( Z =2.141, P < 0.05), prothrombin time ( Z =2.486, P < 0.05), international normalized ratio ( Z =2.429, P < 0.05), total bilirubin ( Z =3.754, P < 0.05), severity of ascites ( χ 2 =14.186, P < 0.05), and scores of the five models (all P < 0.05). Survival analysis showed that all scoring models effectively stratified the prognostic risk of the patients undergoing TIPS. Comparison of the C-index of each scoring model at different time points showed that Child-Pugh score had the strongest ability in predicting postoperative survival, followed by MELD-Na score, MELD score, and CLIF-C AD score, and FIPS score had a relatively poor predictive ability; in addition, the prediction efficiency of each score gradually decreased over time. Child-Pugh score had the largest AUC of 0.832 in predicting 1-year survival rate after surgery, and MELD-Na score had the largest AUC of 0.726 in predicting 3-year survival rate after surgery, but FIPS score had a poor ability in predicting 1- and 3-year survival rates. Conclusion All five scoring models can predict the survival of patients with liver cirrhosis after TIPS and can provide effective stratification of prognostic risk for such patients. Child-Pugh score has a better ability in predicting short-term survival, while MELD-Na score has a better ability in predicting long-term survival, but FIPS score has a relatively poor predictive ability in predicting both short-term and long-term survival.

Effects and mechanism of Hugan buzure formula on intrahepatic cholestatic liver injury in rats / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of Hugan buzure formula （HBF） on intrahepatic cholestatic liver injury in rats and its potential mechanism. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into control group， model group， ursodeoxycholic acid （UDCA） group （positive control， 60 mg/kg ） and HBF low-dose， middle-dose and high-dose groups （HBF-L， HBF-M， HBF-H groups， 0.4， 0.8， 1.6 g/kg ）， with 6 rats in each group. The rats in each drug group were given the corresponding drug solution intragastrically， once a day， for 7 consecutive days. The rats in the control group and the model group were given equal volumes of water intragastrically. On the 5th day， except for the control group， the rats in other groups were single intragastrically administered with alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate olive oil solution （100 mg/kg） to establish the model. After 48 h of modeling， the contents of liver function indexes （aspartate aminotransferase， alanine aminotransferase， alkaline phosphatase， total bile acid， total bilirubin， direct bilirubin） and oxidative stress indexes [malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione （GSH）， superoxide dismutase] in serum of rats were detected； the pathological changes of liver tissue were observed. The mRNA expressions of inflammation-related factors [tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）] and farnesoid X receptor （FXR） signaling pathway-related factors [FXR， small heterodimer partner （SHP）， multidrug resistance protein 2 （MRP2）， bile salt export pump （BSEP）， Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide （NTCP）， organic anion-transporting polypeptide 2 （OATP2） and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase （CYP7A1）]， the expressions of FXR signaling pathway-related proteins （FXR， MRP2， BSEP， NTCP） and nuclear factor- κB p65 （NF- κB p65） in liver tissue were detected.RESULTS Compared with the model group， the contents of liver function indexes and the level of MDA in serum， the mRNA expressions of the above inflammation-related factors and CYP7A1， and the relative expression of NF-κB p65 in liver tissue were significantly decreased； the levels of GSH in serum， the mRNA expressions of FXR， SHP， MRP2， BSEP， NTCP and OATP2， and the relative expressions of FXR， MRP2， BSEP and NTCP in liver tissue were significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the pathological changes of liver tissue were significantly improved. Only some indexes in HBF-L group， HBF-M group and UDCA group were significantly reversed （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS HBF can prevent intrahepatic cholestatic liver injury in rats， and the effects may be related to the activation of FXR signaling pathway and the reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress.