Reduced bone mineral density is associated to post-TIPS survival of female patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is common in patients with cirrhosis, eventually leading to sarcopenia and loss of bone mass. AIMS: The aims of this study was the assessment of body composition (BC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and the prognostic impact on survival after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) implantation. METHODS: BMD and BC of 107 patients with cirrhosis undergoing TIPS implantation were prospectively analyzed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The prevalence and predisposing risk factors for reduced BMD and sarcopenia were assessed. Impact on 12-month survival after TIPS implantation was evaluated. RESULTS: Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 48.6 % of the patients with a predominance of male patients (58.7% vs. 25.0 %, p = 0.001). 67.2 % had reduced BMD. Low BMI was independently associated with sarcopenia (OR 0.751 (95 % CI: 0.662;0.852), p < 0.001) and reduced BMD (OR 0.851 (0.773;0.937), p = 0.001). Patients with reduced BMD, but not sarcopenia, had impaired 12-month survival after TIPS-implantation (61.2% vs. 82.9 %, p = 0.030). Subgroup analysis showed that this was especially valid for female patients. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia and reduced BMD are frequently observed in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Reduced BMD negatively affects post-TIPS survival. Since malnutrition is a leading cause, assessment of nutritional status and specific treatment should be included in clinical practice.

Fibrosis Progression in Patients with Budd-Chiari Syndrome and Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS): A Long-Term Study Using Transient Elastography.

Hepatic vein outflow obstruction causes congestion of the liver, leading to necrosis, fibrosis, and portal hypertension (PH). A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) reduces congestion and PH by providing artificial outflow. The aim of the study was to investigate fibrosis progression in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) and TIPS using transient elastography (TE). From 2010 to 2022, 25 patients received 80 TEs using FibroScan®, Echosens, Paris, France (3.2 ± 2.1 per patient). TIPS function was assessed via Doppler ultrasound or radiological intervention. At the time of TE examination, 21 patients had patent shunts. Four patients had occluded shunts but normal pressure gradients during the intervention. The first TE measurement performed 9.8 ± 6.8 years after the BCS diagnosis showed stiffness values of 24.6 ± 11.5 kPa. A second or last measurement performed 7.0 ± 2.9 years after the first measurement showed similar stiffness values of 24.1 ± 15.7 kPa (p = 0.943). Except for three patients, the liver stiffness was always >12 kPa, indicating advanced fibrosis. Stiffness values obtained <5 years (n = 8, 23.8 ± 9.2 kPa) or >5 years after the BCS diagnosis (24.9 ± 12.7 kPa) did not differ (p = 0.907). In addition, stiffness was not related to the interval between BCS and TIPS implantation (p = 0.999). One patient received liver transplantation, and two patients died from non-hepatic causes. Most patients developed mild to moderate cirrhosis, possibly during the early phase of the disease. Timing of TIPS did not influence fibrosis progression. This and the release of portal hypertension may argue in favor of a generous TIPS implantation practice in patients with BCS.

Proton pump inhibitor treatment aggravates bacterial translocation in patients with advanced cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

IMPORTANCE: Long-term prescription of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients with cirrhosis is common practice. However, in recent years, several observational studies have reported increased complications and negative prognostic effects of PPI treatment in these patients. Judging the significance of these associations is complicated by the fact that a plausible underlying pathomechanism has not been identified so far. In the present study, we address this important issue by investigating the impact of PPI treatment on subclinical bacterial translocation from the gut into the blood stream in patients with advanced cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Indeed, we report significantly aggravated bacterial translocation in cirrhosis patients receiving PPI treatment. This finding is highly relevant, as bacterial translocation is known to promote the development of complications and impair prognosis in patients with cirrhosis. Hence, the present study could establish a plausible link between PPI treatment and adverse effects in cirrhosis.

Impact of COVID-19 on 1-Year Survival Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruption of healthcare services worldwide and interrupted patients' access to essential services. During the first lockdown, many healthcare services were shut to all but emergencies. In this study, we aimed to determine the immediate and long-term indirect impact of COVID-19 health services utilisation on hepatocellular cancer (HCC) outcomes. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted from 1 March 2020 until 30 June 2020, correlating to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients were enrolled from tertiary hospitals in the UK and Germany with dedicated HCC management services. All patients with current or past HCC who were discussed at a multidisciplinary meeting (MDM) were identified. Any delay to treatment (DTT) and the effect on survival at one year were reported. RESULTS: The median time to receipt of therapy following MDM discussion was 49 days. Patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages-A/B disease were more likely to experience DTT. Significant delays across all treatments for HCC were observed, but delay was most marked for those undergoing curative therapies. Even though severe delays were observed in curative HCC treatments, this did not translate into reduced survival in patients. CONCLUSION: Interruption of routine healthcare services because of the COVID-19 pandemic caused severe delays in HCC treatment. However, DTT did not translate to reduced survival. Longer follow is important given the delay in therapy in those receiving curative therapy.

Proton pump inhibitor treatment is associated with acute-on-chronic liver failure in patients with advanced cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a fatal complication of cirrhosis. Hence, identification of risk factors for ACLF is crucial. Previous studies have linked proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment to complications of cirrhosis, however, a possible effect of PPI treatment on the risk of ACLF has not been investigated yet. Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize the impact of PPI treatment on ACLF development. METHODS: A total of 642 patients hospitalized due to complications of cirrhosis were retrospectively identified, and PPI treatment during an observation period of 3 years following the hospitalization was reviewed. Subsequently, 74 patients with newly initiated PPI treatment at the time of hospitalization (PPI group) were 1:1 propensity score matched to 74 patients who received no PPI treatment (no-PPI group). Primary end point was the development of ACLF during the observation period, and secondary endpoints were mortality and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. RESULTS: PPI and no-PPI groups had comparably severe chronic liver disease at baseline. Nevertheless, the cumulative incidence of ACLF in the presence of death as competing risk was markedly higher in the PPI group compared with the no-PPI group. ACLF-related deaths contributed significantly to a higher 3-year mortality in the PPI group. Uni and multivariable competing risk regression models confirmed that PPI treatment was an independent predictor of ACLF in the study collective (subdistribution HR: 1.892, 95% CI: 1.092-3.281, p = 0.023). The impact of PPI treatment on ACLF development was particularly strong in patients with a model for end-stage liver disease score >12. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding was slightly less frequent in the PPI group. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that PPI treatment could be a risk factor for ACLF in patients with advanced cirrhosis.

Textbook Outcome After Trans-arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Textbook Outcome (TO) is inclusive of quality indicators and it not been provided for trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on treatment-naïve HCC patients receiving TACE from 10 centers were reviewed. TO was defined as "no post-TACE grade 3-4 complications, no prolonged hospital stay (defined as a post-procedure stay ≤ 75th percentile of the median values from the total cohort), no 30-day mortality/readmission and the achievement of an objective response (OR) at post-TACE imaging." Grade of adverse event was classified according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and short-term efficacy was assessed by response. Pooled estimates were calculated to account for hospital's effect and risk-adjustment was applied to allow for diversity of patients in each center. RESULTS: A total of 1124 patients (2014-2018) fulfilling specific inclusion criteria were included. Baseline clinical features showed considerable heterogeneity (I2 > 0.75) across centers. TACE-related mortality was absent in 97.6%, readmission was not required after 94.9% of procedures, 91.5% of patients had no complication graded 3-4, 71.8% of patients did not require prolonged hospitalization, OR of the target lesion was achieved in 68.5%. Risk-adjustment showed that all indicators were achieved in 43.1% of patients, and this figure was similar across centers. The median overall survival for patients who achieved all indicators was 33.1 months, 11.9 months longer than for patients who did not. CONCLUSIONS: A useful benchmark for TACE in HCC patients has been developed, which provides an indication of survival and allows for a comparison of treatment quality across different hospitals.

Biomechanical Effects of Chronic Ankle Instability on the Talar Cartilage Matrix: The Value of T1ρ Relaxation Mapping Without and With Mechanical Loading.

BACKGROUND: T1ρ mapping has been proposed for the detection of early cartilage degeneration associated with chronic ankle instability (CAI). However, there are limited data surrounding the influence of ankle loading on T1ρ relaxation. PURPOSE: To evaluate T1ρ relaxation times of talar cartilage, as an indicator of early degenerative changes, associated with CAI and to investigate the influence of acute axial in situ loading on T1ρ values in CAI patients and healthy controls. STUDY TYPE: Prospective. SUBJECTS: A total of 9 patients (age = 21.8 ± 2.5 years, male/female = 2/7) with chronic ankle instability and 18 healthy control subjects (age = 22.8 ± 3.6 years, male/female = 5/13). FIELD STRENGTH: 3 T. SEQUENCE: 3D gradient echo fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequence augmented with a variable spin-lock preparation period. ASSESSMENT: Ankle T1ρ mapping was performed without and with axial loading of 500 N. The talar cartilage was segmented in five coronal slices covering the central talocrural joint. Median talar T1ρ values were separately calculated for the medial and lateral facets. STATISTICAL TESTS: Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, significance level: P < 0.05. RESULTS: For the combined cohorts, the statistical analysis yielded significantly lower T1ρ values with loading compared to the no-load measurement for both the lateral (no load: [51.0 ± 4.0] msec, load: [49.5 ± 5.4] msec) as well as the medial compartment (no load: [50.0 ± 5.4] msec, load: [47.8 ± 6.8] msec). In the unloaded scans, the CAI patients showed significantly increased talar T1ρ values ([53.0 ± 7.4] mse ) compared to the healthy control subjects ([48.8 ± 4.1] msec) in the medial compartment. DATA CONCLUSION: Increased talar T1ρ relaxation times in CAI patients compared to healthy controls suggest that T1ρ relaxation is a sensitive biomarker for CAI-induced early-stage cartilage degeneration. However, the load-induced T1ρ change did not prove to be a viable marker for the altered biomechanical properties of the hyaline talar cartilage. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 LEVEL OF EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Over-the-scope-grasper: A new tool for pancreatic necrosectomy and beyond - first multicenter experience.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic treatment of pancreatic necrosis can be challenging and time-consuming because sticky necrotic debris is sometimes difficult to remove. The over-the-scope-grasper, a new tool that has recently become available for this purpose, might also be useful for other indications. However, clinical data on the efficacy and safety of this new device are lacking. AIM: To evaluate the technical success and safety of the device in a multicenter setting. METHODS: The over-the-scope-grasper was used in nine selected endoscopic centers between November 2020 and October 2021 for appropriate indications. Overall, 56 procedures were included in the study. We retrospectively evaluated procedural parameters of all endoscopic interventions using a predefined questionnaire, with special respect to technical success, indications, duration of intervention, type of sedation, and complications. In the case of pancreatic necrosectomy, the access route, stent type, number of necrosis pieces removed, and clinical handling were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 56 procedures were performed, with an overall technical success rate of 98%. Most of the procedures were endoscopic pancreatic necrosectomies (33 transgastric, 4 transduodenal). In 70% of the procedures, access to the necrotic cavity was established with a lumen apposing metal stent. The technical success of pancreatic necrosectomy was 97%, with a mean of 8 pieces (range, 2-25 pieces) of necrosis removed in a mean procedure time of 59 min (range, 15-120 min). In addition, the device has been used to remove blood clots (n = 6), to clear insufficiency cavities before endoluminal vacuum therapy (n = 5), and to remove foreign bodies from the upper gastrointestinal tract (n = 8). In these cases, the technical success rate was 100%. No moderate or severe/fatal complications were reported in any of the 56 procedures. CONCLUSION: These first multicenter data demonstrate that the over-the-scope-grasper is a promising device for endoscopic pancreatic necrosectomy, which is also appropriate for removing foreign bodies and blood clots, or cleaning insufficiency cavities prior to endoluminal vacuum therapy.

Hepatic decompensation after transarterial radioembolization: A retrospective analysis of risk factors and outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is a well-established therapy for intermediate and advanced tumor stages of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Treatment-associated toxicities are rare. Previous studies have outlined that the prognosis after TARE is determined primarily by tumor stage and liver function. The subset of patients benefiting from TARE remains to be defined. Sixty-one patients with HCC treated with TARE between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively included in the study. Hepatic decompensation was defined as an increase of bilirubin or newly developed ascites that was not explained by tumor progression within 3 months after TARE. Predictive factors of hepatic decompensation and prognostic factors were assessed. Hepatic decompensation was observed in 27.9% (n = 17) of TARE-treated patients during follow-up. Albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score at baseline and radiation dose on nontumor liver proved to be independent risk factors for the development of hepatic decompensation in multivariable regression models (ALBI score: odds ratio [OR] 6.425 [1.735;23.797], p < 0.005; radiation dose: OR 1.072 [1.016;1.131], p < 0.011). The occurrence of hepatic decompensation markedly impaired the prognosis of the patients. Survival was significantly worsened. Hepatic decompensation has shown to be an independent negative prognostic factor for death, adjusted for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage, age and ALBI grade (hazard ratio 5.694 [2.713;11.952], p < 0.001). Conclusion: Hepatic decompensation after TARE for HCC treatment is a highly relevant complication with major effects on the prognosis of patients. Main risk factors are the pretreatment ALBI score and radiation dose. There is an urgent need to define safe cutoff values and exclusion criteria for TARE to limit complications and improve patient outcomes.

[Current pathophysiological concepts of acute decompensation in patients with liver cirrhosis and prognostic scores in different stages of disease]. / Pathophysiologie der Dekompensation bei Leberzirrhose ­ Prognose-Scores.

Acute decompensation and acute-on chronic liver failure (ACLF) are associated with a significant reduced prognosis. Previously, the pathophysiological concept of acute decompensation was mainly based on the peripheral vasodilatation hypothesis. However, during the last years, systemic inflammation was recognized as a major driver for decompensation of liver cirrhosis and ACLF. Further, it has been shown that systemic inflammation is associated with the clinical course and the prognosis of the patients. Inflammation also affects the function of extrahepatic organs and therefore leads to the development of an inflammatory cirrhotic multi-organ syndrome. The importance of systemic inflammation in the context of decompensated liver cirrhosis is also transferred to new clinical scores such as the CLIF-C AD and CLIF-C ACLF score. In this article, we provide an overview of the new systemic inflammation hypothesis of decompensated cirrhosis and also discuss current clinical scores for prognostication in different stages of liver cirrhosis.

Aspirin improves transplant-free survival after TIPS implantation in patients with refractory ascites: a retrospective multicentre cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) implantation is an established procedure to treat portal hypertension. Impact of administration of aspirin on transplant-free survival after TIPS remains unknown. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective analysis including patients with TIPS implantation between 2011 and 2018 at three tertiary German Liver Centers was performed. N = 583 patients were included. Survival analysis was performed in a matched cohort after propensity score matching. Patients were grouped according to whether aspirin was (PSM-aspirin-cohort) or was not (PSM-no-aspirin-cohort) administered after TIPS. Primary endpoint of the study was transplant-free survival at 12 months after TIPS. RESULTS: Aspirin improved transplant-free survival 12 months after TIPS with 90.7% transplant-free survival compared to 80.0% (p = 0.001) after PSM. Separated by TIPS indication, aspirin did improve transplant-free survival in patients with refractory ascites significantly (89.6% vs. 70.6% transplant-free survival, p < 0.001), while no significant effect was observed in patients with refractory variceal bleeding (91.1% vs. 92.2% transplant-free survival, p = 0.797). CONCLUSION: This retrospective multicenter study provides first data indicating a beneficial effect of aspirin on transplant-free survival after TIPS implantation in patients with refractory ascites.

Comparison of the Covered Self-Expandable Viatorr CX Stent with the Covered Balloon-Expandable BeGraft Peripheral Stent for Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) Creation: a Single-Centre Retrospective Study in Patients with Variceal Bleeding.

PURPOSE: This study compares the safety and efficacy of the ePTFE-covered self-expansible nitinol stent (VIATORR® Controlled Expansion, Gore, Flagstaff, USA) with the ePTFE-covered, balloon-expandable, metallic stent (BeGraft peripheral, Bentley, Hechingen, Germany) for the creation of the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: From September 2016 to December 2020, 72 consecutive patients receiving TIPS for acute variceal bleeding (rescue and early TIPS, n = 15) or for prophylaxis of variceal rebleeding (n = 57) were enrolled. The main contraindications were patients with vascular liver disease (portal vein thrombosis and Budd-Chiari syndrome). Forty patients (55.6%) received a Viatorr CX stent and 32 patients (44.4%) a BeGraft peripheral stent. Safety endpoints were technical and clinical adverse events and early deaths within 30 days after TIPS implantation. Efficacy endpoints were rebleeding rates, recurrence of large varices requiring endoscopic band ligation, or TIPS revision. RESULTS: Groups receiving the Viatorr CX or BeGraft peripheral stent were comparable in all respects except the TIPS indication for acute variceal bleeding (5% vs. 25%, p = 0.015). All patients had a successful intervention, and the physical variables of stent implantation (intervention and fluoroscopy time, reduction of the portosystemic pressure gradient) as well as adjunctive embolization of varices were similar in both groups. Severe clinical complications (Viatorr CX: 5% vs. BeGraft peripheral: 3.1%, p = 0.692), post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy (12.5% vs. 18.8%, p = 0.743) and death (5% vs. 0%, p = 0.793) were not different between Viatorr CX and BeGraft peripheral groups. With respect to efficacy, freedom from rebleeding and from variceal band ligation during follow-up (100% vs. 100%, p = 1.0), as well as the need for shunt revision (10.5% vs. 18.8%, p = 0.327), was comparable. CONCLUSION: Compared to the present gold standard, the Viatorr CX stent, the balloon-expandable BeGraft peripheral stent, showed similar results with respect to safety and efficacy.

Validation of color Doppler ultrasound and computed tomography in the radiologic assessment of non-malignant acute splanchnic vein thrombosis.

INTRODUCTION: International guidelines propose color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) as primary imaging techniques in the diagnosis of acute splanchnic vein thrombosis. However, their reliability in this context is poorly investigated. Therefore, the aim of our study was to validate CDUS and CT in the radiologic assessment of acute splanchnic vein thrombosis, using direct transjugular spleno-portography as gold standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 49 patients with non-malignant acute splanchnic vein thrombosis were included in a retrospective, multicenter analysis. The thrombosis' extent in five regions of the splanchnic venous system (right and left intrahepatic portal vein, main trunk of the portal vein, splenic vein, superior mesenteric vein) and the degree of thrombosis (patent, partial thrombosis, complete thrombosis) were assessed by portography, CDUS and CT in a blinded manner. Reliability of CDUS and CT with regard to portography as gold standard was analyzed by calculating Cohen's kappa. RESULTS: Results of CDUS and CT were consistent with portography in 76.6% and 78.4% of examinations, respectively. Cohen's kappa demonstrated that CDUS and CT delivered almost equally reliable results with regard to the portographic gold standard (k = 0.634 [p < 0.001] vs. k = 0.644 [p < 0.001]). In case of findings non-consistent with portography there was no clear trend to over- or underestimation of the degree of thrombosis in both CDUS (60.0% vs. 40.0%) and CT (59.5% vs. 40.5%). CONCLUSIONS: CDUS and CT are equally reliable tools in the radiologic assessment of non-malignant acute splanchnic vein thrombosis.

Efficacy of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Not Suitable for Transarterial Chemoembolization (HERACLES: HEpatocellular Carcinoma Stereotactic RAdiotherapy CLinical Efficacy Study).

The aim of this prospective observational trial was to evaluate the efficacy, toxicity and quality of life after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to assess the results of this treatment in comparison to trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Patients with HCC, treated with TACE or SBRT, over a period of 12 months, enrolled in the study. The primary endpoint was feasibility; secondary endpoints were toxicity, quality of life (QOL), local progression (LP) and overall survival (OS). Between 06/2016 and 06/2017, 19 patients received TACE and 20 SBRT, 2 of whom were excluded due to progression. The median follow-up was 31 months. The QOL remained stable before and after treatment and was comparable in both treatment groups. Five patients developed grade ≥ 3 toxicities in the TACE group and 3 in the SBRT group. The cumulative incidence of LP after 1-, 2- and 3-years was 6, 6, 6% in the SBRT group and 28, 39, and 65% in the TACE group (p = 0.02). The 1- and 2- years OS rates were 84% and 47% in the TACE group and 44% and 39% in the SBRT group (p = 0.20). In conclusion, SBRT is a well-tolerated local treatment with a high local control rates and can be safely delivered, while preserving the QOL of HCC patients.

Prognostic Value of the CLIF-C AD Score in Patients With Implantation of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt.

Prognostic assessment of patients with liver cirrhosis allocated for implantation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a challenging task in clinical practice. The aim of our study was to assess the prognostic value of the CLIF-C AD (Acute Decompensation) score in patients with TIPS implantation. Transplant-free survival (TFS) and 3-month mortality were reviewed in 880 patients who received de novo TIPS implantation for the treatment of cirrhotic portal hypertension. The prognostic value of the CLIF-C AD score was compared with the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, Child-Pugh score, and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score using Harrell's C concordance index. The median TFS after TIPS implantation was 40.0 (34.6-45.4) months. The CLIF-C AD score (c = 0.635 [0.609-0.661]) was superior in the prediction of TFS in comparison to MELD score (c = 0.597 [0.570-0.623], P = 0.006), Child-Pugh score (c = 0.579 [0.552-0.606], P < 0.001), and ALBI score (c = 0.573 [0.545-0.600], P < 0.001). However, the CLIF-C AD score did not perform significantly better than the MELD-Na score (c = 0.626 [0.599-0.653], P = 0.442). There were no profound differences in the scores' ranking with respect to indication for TIPS implantation, stent type, or underlying liver disease. Subgroup analyses revealed that a CLIF-C AD score >45 was a predictor of 3-month mortality in the supposed low-risk group of patients with a MELD score ≤12 (14.7% vs. 5.1%, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The CLIF-C AD score is suitable for prognostic assessment of patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension receiving TIPS implantation. In the prediction of TFS, the CLIF-C AD score is superior to MELD score, Child-Pugh score, and ALBI score but not the MELD-Na score.

Blood reelin in the progression of chronic liver disease.

PURPOSE: Reelin is an extracellular matrix protein originally found to be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Recent findings indicate, that reelin may also play an important role in the process of liver fibrosis as well as in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Against this background, the aim of our study was to explore alterations in blood reelin levels in different stages of chronic liver diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed blood samples of patients with chronic liver disease without liver fibrosis (n â€‹= â€‹25), with liver fibrosis (n â€‹= â€‹36), with liver cirrhosis (n â€‹= â€‹74), with HCC (n â€‹= â€‹26) as well as of healthy controls (n â€‹= â€‹15). Blood reelin concentrations were determined utilizing an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Blood reelin levels were significantly elevated in patients who had liver fibrosis or cirrhosis compared to patients without liver fibrosis and healthy controls (13.9 (10.2-21.1) ng/ml vs. 11.2 (8.8-16.8) ng/ml, p â€‹= â€‹0.032). Importantly, patients with HCC displayed significantly higher reelin concentrations compared to patients with liver cirrhosis alone (27.0 (17.3-35.9) ng/ml vs. 16.6 (11.0-22.7) ng/ml, p â€‹< â€‹0.001). Blood reelin was not relevantly linked to liver function, inflammation and etiology of liver disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate, that blood reelin levels are altered in different stages of chronic liver disease, which makes reelin a potential biomarker in this setting. This may be especially relevant with regard to its use as an additional tumor marker of HCC.

Refining prediction of survival after TIPS with the novel Freiburg index of post-TIPS survival.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) implantation is an effective and safe treatment for complications of portal hypertension. Survival prediction is important in these patients as they constitute a high-risk population. Therefore, the aim of our study was to develop an alternative prognostic model for accurate survival prediction after planned TIPS implantation. METHODS: A total of 1,871 patients with de novo TIPS implantation for ascites or secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding were recruited retrospectively. The study cohort was divided into a training set (80% of study patients; n = 1,496) and a validation set (20% of study patients; n = 375). Further, patients with early (preemptive) TIPS implantation due to variceal bleeding were included as another validation cohort (n = 290). Medical data and overall survival (OS) were assessed. A Cox regression model was used to create an alternative prediction model, which includes significant prognostic factors. RESULTS: Age, bilirubin, albumin and creatinine were the most important prognostic factors. These parameters were included in a new score named the Freiburg index of post-TIPS survival (FIPS). The FIPS score was able to identify high-risk patients with a significantly reduced median survival of 5.0 (3.1-6.9) months after TIPS implantation in the training set. These results were confirmed in the validation set (median survival of 3.1 [0.9-5.3] months). The FIPS score showed better prognostic discrimination compared to the Child-Pugh, MELD, MELD-Na score and the bilirubin-platelet model. However, the FIPS score showed insufficient prognostic discrimination in patients with early TIPS implantation. CONCLUSIONS: The FIPS score is superior to established scoring systems for the identification of high-risk patients with a worse prognosis following elective TIPS implantation. LAY SUMMARY: Implantation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a safe and effective treatment for patients with cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension. However, risk stratification is a major challenge in these patients as currently available scoring systems have major drawbacks. Age, bilirubin, albumin and creatinine were included in a new risk score which was named the Freiburg index of post-TIPS survival (FIPS). The FIPS score can identify patients at high risk and may guide clinical decision making.

Proton pump inhibitor therapy is associated with reduced survival following first-time transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Several studies have reported associations of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment with the incidence of complications and even increased mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. Up to now, there are no studies on the impact of PPI treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the prognostic effects of PPI treatment in a cohort of patients with HCC treated by transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). METHODS: Three hundred fifty-eight patients with HCC that received first-time TACE were included in a retrospective analysis. We explored effects of PPI treatment using uni- and multivariable regression models. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-seven of the 358 patients (46.6%) received PPI treatment. Median transplant-free survival after TACE was significantly lower in patients treated with PPIs compared to patients without PPI treatment [16.0 (10.7-21.3) months vs. 26 (22.2-29.8) months, P = 0.006]. Importantly, PPI treatment remained a significant prognostic factor for reduced survival after adjustment for patient demographics, tumor stadium and liver function [hazard ratio (HR) 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-1.78, P = 0.005]. We observed a dose-dependent association of PPI treatment with survival: A higher daily PPI dose was an independent prognostic factor for reduced survival (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.14-1.54, P < 0.001). Notably, 58.1% of patients receiving PPIs had no clear indication therefor. CONCLUSION: PPI treatment is associated with reduced survival in patients with HCC in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, indication for PPI treatment should be evaluated attentively in these patients. Further, prospective studies are needed to validate the findings of this study.

Plasma Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate Is a Promising Biomarker of Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis.

Introduction: Despite intensive research, reliable blood-derived parameters to detect clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) in patients with cirrhosis are lacking. As altered homeostasis of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), the central mediator of vasodilatation, is an essential factor in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension, the aim of our study was to evaluate plasma cGMP as potential biomarker of cirrhotic portal hypertension. Methods: Plasma cGMP was analyzed in cirrhotic patients with CSPH (ascites, n = 39; esophageal varices, n = 31), cirrhotic patients without CSPH (n = 21), patients with chronic liver disease without cirrhosis (n = 11) and healthy controls (n = 8). cGMP was evaluated as predictor of CSPH using logistic regression models. Further, the effect of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement on plasma cGMP was investigated in a subgroup of cirrhotic patients (n = 13). Results: Plasma cGMP was significantly elevated in cirrhotic patients with CSPH compared to cirrhotic patients without CSPH [78.1 (67.6-89.2) pmol/ml vs. 39.1 (35.0-45.3) pmol/l, p < 0.001]. Of note, this effect was consistent in the subgroup of patients with esophageal varices detected at screening endoscopy who had no prior manifestations of portal hypertension (p < 0.001). Cirrhotic patients without CSPH displayed no significant elevation of plasma cGMP compared to patients without cirrhosis (p = 0.347) and healthy controls (p = 0.200). Regression analyses confirmed that cGMP was an independent predictor of CSPH (OR 1.042, 95% CI 1.008-1.078, p = 0.016). Interestingly, portal decompression by TIPS implantation did not lead to normalization of plasma cGMP levels (p = 0.101). Conclusions: Plasma cGMP is a promising biomarker of CSPH in patients with cirrhosis, especially with respect to screening for esophageal varices. The lacking normalization of plasma cGMP after portal decompression suggests that elevated plasma cGMP in cirrhotic portal hypertension is mainly a correlate of systemic and splanchnic vasodilatation, as these alterations have been shown to persist after TIPS implantation.