[Therapy of chronic hepatitis C]. / Terapija hronicnog hepatitisa C.

Advantages in diagnostic and treatment of hepatitis C during the last decade have changed the final outcome of disease. Most important improvements were: development of sensitive, specific and standardized tests for hepatitis C nucleic acid identification, combined treatment with ribavirin and alpha interferon, pegylation of alpha interferon and prove that sustained viral response is optimal surrogate for treatment outcome. Combination of pegyinterferon and ribavirin offered the most efficacious and most suitable treatment with SVR between 54-56%. Results are still dependent of viral genotype and viral load. Due to possible side effects appropriate patient seletion is mandatory.

[Complications of liver cirrhosis]. / Komplikacije jetrene ciroze.

Increase in portal venous pressure after anatomical or functional obstruction of portal venous system represents the most important complication of liver cirrhosis. Important sequels of portal hypertension are not dependable of etiology of liver disease. They are: increased collateral circulation in portal system and low pressure venous system (esophageal and gastric varices, portal hypertensive gastropathy and colopathy, hemorrhoids, collateral circulation through anterior abdominal wall, increased lymphatic flow, ascites, splenomegaly with occasional hypersplenismus, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome.