Hepatic Oxygenation Changes and Symptomatic Intradialytic Hypotension.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical studies on differences among changes in cerebral and hepatic oxygenation during hemodialysis (HD) in patients with and without intradialytic hypotension (IDH) are limited. We investigated changes in intradialytic cerebral and hepatic oxygenation before systolic blood pressure (SBP) reached the nadir during HD and compared these differences between patients with and without symptomatic IDH. METHODS: We analyzed data from 109 patients with (n = 23) and without (n = 86) symptomatic IDH who were treated with HD. Cerebral and hepatic regional oxygen saturation (rSO2), as a marker of tissue oxygenation and circulation, was monitored during HD using an INVOS 5100c oxygen saturation monitor. Changes in cerebral or hepatic rSO2 when SBP reached the nadir during HD were compared between the groups of patients. RESULTS: The cerebral rSO2 before HD in patients with and without symptomatic IDH was 49.7 ± 11.2% and 51.3 ± 9.1% (p = 0.491). %Changes in cerebral rSO2 did not significantly differ between the two groups from 60 min before the SBP nadir during HD. Hepatic rSO2 before HD in patients with and without symptomatic IDH was 58.5 ± 15.4% and 57.8 ± 15.9% (p = 0.869). The %changes in hepatic rSO2 were significantly lower in patients with symptomatic IDH than in those without throughout the observational period (p < 0.001). We calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and estimated cutoff values for changes in hepatic rSO2 as a symptomatic IDH predictor. The predictive ability at 5 and 40 min before symptomatic IDH onset was excellent, with AUCs and cutoff values of 0.847 and 0.841, and -10.9% and -5.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic oxygenation significantly decreased more in patients with symptomatic IDH before its onset, than in those without symptomatic IDH, whereas changes in cerebral oxygenation did not differ. Evaluating changes in hepatic oxygenation during HD might help to predict symptomatic IDH.

Natural history of cancer-associated splanchnic vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: There is uncertainty in the management of cancer-associated isolated splanchnic vein thrombosis (SpVT). OBJECTIVES: To describe the natural history of SpVT by cancer type and thrombus composition and to review anticoagulation (AC) practices and associated rates of usual-site venous thromboembolism (VTE), major and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (MB/CRNMB), recanalization/progression, and mortality. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in patients with SpVT at 2 cancer care centers in Houston, Texas. We estimated the incidence of usual-site VTE and MB/CRNMB at 6 months using competing risk methods and examined venous patency in a subset of patients with repeat imaging. We assessed associations with mortality using Cox regression. RESULTS: Among 15 342 patients with an incident cancer diagnosis from 2011 to 2020, we identified 298 with isolated SpVT. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and SpVT (n = 146) had the highest disease prevalence (20%), lowest rate of AC treatment (2%), and similar rate of usual-site VTE (4.2%) vs those without SpVT (5.2%) at 6 months, though tumor thrombus vs bland was associated with worse overall survival. In patients with non-HCC bland SpVT (n = 114), AC (n = 37) was more common in those with non-upper gastrointestinal cancers and fewer comorbidities. AC was associated with more recanalization (44% vs 15%, P = .041) but no differences in usual-site VTE, MB/CRNMB, or mortality at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Cancer-associated isolated SpVT is a common but heterogeneous thrombotic disease that is treated differently from usual-site VTE. Tumor thrombus is a negative prognostic factor. Initiation of AC in bland thrombi requires judicious consideration of thrombotic and bleeding risk.

Endovascular Ablation of the Right Greater Splanchnic Nerve in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Rationale, Design and Lead-in Phase Results of the REBALANCE-HF Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Splanchnic vasoconstriction augments transfer of blood volume from the abdomen into the thorax, which may increase filling pressures and hemodynamic congestion in patients with noncompliant hearts. Therapeutic interruption of splanchnic nerve activity holds promise to reduce hemodynamic congestion in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Here we describe (1) the rationale and design of the first sham-controlled, randomized clinical trial of splanchnic nerve ablation for HFpEF and (2) the 12-month results of the lead-in (open-label) trial's participants. METHODS: REBALANCE-HF is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled clinical trial of endovascular, transcatheter, right-sided greater splanchnic nerve ablation for volume management (SAVM) in patients with HFpEF. The primary objectives are to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SAVM and identify responder characteristics to inform future studies. The trial consists of an open-label lead-in phase followed by the randomized, sham-controlled phase. The primary efficacy endpoint is the reduction in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) at 1-month follow-up compared to baseline during passive leg raise and 20W exercise. Secondary and exploratory endpoints include health status (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire), 6-minute walk test distance, New York Heart Association class, and NTproBNP levels at 3, 6 and 12 months. The primary safety endpoint is device- or procedure-related serious adverse events at the 1-month follow-up. RESULTS: The lead-in phase of the study, which enrolled 26 patients with HFpEF who underwent SAVM, demonstrated favorable safety outcomes and reduction in exercise PCWP at 1 month post-procedure and improvements in all secondary endpoints at 6 and 12 months of follow-up. The randomized phase of the trial (n = 44 SAVM; n = 46 sham) has completed enrollment, and follow-up is ongoing. CONCLUSION: REBALANCE-HF is the first sham-controlled randomized clinical trial of greater splanchnic nerve ablation in HFpEF. Initial 12-month open-label results are promising, and the results of the randomized portion of the trial will inform the design of a future pivotal clinical trial. SAVM may offer a promising therapeutic option for patients with HFpEF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04592445.

Efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants in splanchnic vein thrombosis: a pooled analysis of literature studies.

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence is available on management of splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT). OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for SVT treatment. METHODS: Studies were systematically searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases according to PRISMA guidelines. We assessed any recanalization, full recanalization, recurrence, mortality, and major bleeding as outcomes of interest. Results were reported as weighted mean prevalence (WMP) with 95% CI. Subgroup analyses and meta-regressions have been performed to address heterogeneity and adjust for potential confounders. RESULTS: We included a total of 16 studies (17 datasets) on 648 patients with SVT treated with DOACs. We found any recanalization in 60.3% (95% CI: 41.8%-76.3%; I2 = 84.9%; P < .001) and full recanalization in 51.7% (95% CI: 36.0%-67.0%; I2 = 87.4%; P < .001). Recurrent venous thromboembolism occurred in 2.8% (95% CI: 1.4%-5.9%; I2 = 0%; P = .787) and death in 3.4% (95% CI: 1.6%-7.3%; I2 = 13.2%; P = .318) of patients. Major bleeding was reported by 5.8% (95% CI: 3.7%-8.9%; I2 = 29.2%; P = .125) of patients. Results were consistent when separately analyzing prospective studies, retrospective studies, studies on cirrhotic patients, and studies enrolling patients with portal vein thrombosis. Meta-regression analyses showed that an increasing age and cancer impacted the rate of recanalization. Cirrhosis was associated with a higher rate of major bleeding and mortality. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study, mostly based on observational studies, suggest good safety and efficacy profiles of DOACs in patients with SVT. Randomized studies are needed to corroborate our findings.

Recent Advances in the Pathogenesis and Clinical Evaluation of Portal Hypertension in Chronic Liver Disease.

In chronic liver disease, hepatic stellate cell activation and degeneration of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells lead to structural changes, which are secondary to fibrosis and the presence of regenerative nodules in the sinusoids, and to functional changes, which are related to vasoconstriction. The combination of such changes increases intrahepatic vascular resistance and causes portal hypertension. The subsequent increase in splanchnic and systemic hyperdynamic circulation further increases the portal blood flow, thereby exacerbating portal hypertension. In clinical practice, the hepatic venous pressure gradient is the gold-standard measure of portal hypertension; a value of ≥10 mm Hg is defined as clinically significant portal hypertension, which is severe and is associated with the risk of liver-related events. Hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement is somewhat invasive, so evidence on the utility of risk stratification by elastography and serum biomarkers is needed. The various stages of cirrhosis are associated with different outcomes. In viral hepatitis-related cirrhosis, viral suppression or elimination by nucleos(t)ide analog or direct-acting antivirals results in recompensation of liver function and portal pressure. However, careful follow-up should be continued, because some cases have residual clinically significant portal hypertension even after achieving sustained virologic response. In this study, we reviewed the current and future prospects for portal hypertension.

Cancer-Associated Abdominal Vein Thrombosis.

Cancer is associated with an increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism, due to its direct influence on the three pillars of Virchow's triad (e.g., compression on the blood vessels by the tumour, blood vessels invasion, and cytokine release), together with the effect of exogenous factors (such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery). In cancer patients, the risk of thrombosis at unusual sites, such as splanchnic, ovarian and renal vein thrombosis, is also increased. Abdominal vein thromboses are frequently incidental findings on abdominal imaging performed as part of the diagnostic/staging workup or the follow-up care of malignancies. There is little evidence on the management of unusual site venous thromboembolism in cancer patients since there are only a few specific recommendations; thus, the management follows the general principles of the treatment of cancer-associated deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. This narrative review summarises the latest evidence on cancer-associated abdominal vein thrombosis, i.e., thrombosis of the splanchnic, ovarian and renal veins.

Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis in Myelofibrosis-An Underappreciated Hallmark of Disease Phenotype.

Splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) encompasses thrombosis in the vessels of the splanchnic basin and has a relatively rare occurrence with a reported frequency in the general population of 1-2%. An episode of seemingly unprovoked SVT almost always triggers a diagnostic work-up for a Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), since atypical site thrombosis is a hallmark of MPN-associated thrombophilia. Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a rare MPN with an estimated incidence between 0.1 and 1/100,000 per year. Although prothrombotic tendency in PMF is not envisioned as a subject of specific therapeutic management, unlike other MPNs, such as polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET), thrombotic risk and SVT prevalence in PMF may be comparably high. Additionally, unlike PV and ET, SVT development in PMF may depend more on procoagulant mechanisms involving endothelium than on blood cell activation. Emerging results from registry data also suggest that PMF patients with SVT may exhibit lower risk and better prognosis, thus highlighting the need for better thrombotic risk stratification and identifying a subset of patients with potential benefit from antithrombotic prophylaxis. This review highlights specific epidemiological, pathogenetic, and clinical features pertinent to SVT in myelofibrosis.

[Hemodynamic Changes in Chronic Liver Disease].

Chronic liver disease causes hemodynamic changes in the body depending on the degree of progression. These hemodynamic changes begin with splanchnic vasodilation, with complications beginning to appear as the hyperdynamic changes occur. As chronic liver disease progresses, increased splanchnic vasodilation and hyperdynamic changes worsen portal hypertension and help cause or worsen chronic liver disease complications, such as ascites. Ultimately, the effective plasma volume and blood pressure decrease in the terminal stage.

Differences between Hepatic and Cerebral Regional Tissue Oxygen Saturation at the Onset of Intradialytic Hypotension.

BACKGROUND: Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a critical pathological condition associated with all-cause mortality in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). However, few studies have investigated IDH-related changes in hepatic and cerebral regional tissue oxygen saturation (rSO2). This study investigated IDH-induced changes in hepatic and cerebral rSO2. METHODS: Hepatic and cerebral rSO2 during HD were measured using an INVOS 5100C oxygen saturation monitor, and their percentage (%) changes during the development of IDH were analyzed. Ninety-one patients undergoing HD were investigated, including twenty with IDH. RESULTS: In patients with IDH, % changes in hepatic and cerebral rSO2 decreased at the onset of IDH. Additionally, the % change in hepatic rSO2 was significantly larger than that in cerebral rSO2 (p < 0.001). In patients without IDH, no significant differences were found between the % changes in hepatic and cerebral rSO2 at the time of the lowest systolic blood pressure during HD. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that the difference between the % changes in cerebral and hepatic rSO2 was significantly associated with the development of IDH (p < 0.001) and the ultrafiltration rate (p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic and cerebral rSO2 significantly decreased during the development of IDH, and hepatic rSO2 was more significantly decreased than cerebral rSO2 at the onset of IDH.

Factors affecting intradialytic hepatic oxygenation: Associations between ultrafiltration rate and changes in systemic blood pressure.

INTRODUCTION: Hepato-splanchnic circulation influences the oxygenation of abdominal organs and is important in preventing a reduction in intradialytic blood volume. However, the association between changes in intradialytic hepato-splanchnic circulation and clinical factors remain unknown. METHODS: We enrolled 91 hemodialysis (HD) patients (20 with intradialytic hypotension (IDH) and 71 without IDH). During HD, hepatic regional oxygen saturation (rSO2), a marker of hepatic oxygenation reflecting hepato-splanchnic circulation and oxygenation, was monitored. Changes in hepatic rSO2 at the lowest systolic blood pressure (BP) during HD were analyzed to identify associations with clinical factors. RESULTS: Hepatic rSO2 levels were 55.8 ± 15.3% before HD and 53.8 ± 14.9% at the lowest systolic BP; therefore, % changes in hepatic rSO2 were -2.7 ± 11.3%. These values were significantly lower in patients with IDH than in those without IDH (-13.8 ± 9.3% vs 0.4 ± 9.8%, p < 0.001). Multivariable regression analysis showed that % changes in hepatic rSO2 were independently associated with % changes in systolic BP (standardized coefficient: 0.416) and ultrafiltration rate (-0.206). Furthermore, % changes in mean BP (0.304) were identified as affecting % changes in hepatic rSO2 instead of those in systolic BP. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in intradialytic hepatic oxygenation is associated with ultrafiltration rate and changes in systemic BP. Further studies are required to clarify the directionality of the association between changes in hepatic oxygenation and changes in systemic BP during HD.

Clinical course and treatment of incidentally detected splanchnic vein thrombosis: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The clinical relevance and management of incidental splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) remain poorly defined. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the clinical course of incidental SVT in comparison with symptomatic SVT and assess the safety and effectiveness of anticoagulant treatment in incidental SVT. METHODS: Individual patient data meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials or prospective studies published up to June 2021. Efficacy outcomes were recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) and all-cause mortality. The safety outcome was major bleeding. Incidence rate ratios and 95% CIs for incidental vs symptomatic SVT were estimated before and after propensity-score matching. Multivariable Cox models were used considering anticoagulant treatment as a time-varying covariate. RESULTS: In total, 493 patients with incidental SVT and 493 propensity-matched patients with symptomatic SVT were analyzed. Patients with incidental SVT were less likely to receive anticoagulant treatment (72.4% vs 83.6%). Incidence rate ratios (95% CI) for major bleeding, recurrent VTE, and all-cause mortality in patients with incidental SVT compared with symptomatic SVT were 1.3 (0.8, 2.2), 2.0 (1.2, 3.3), and 0.5 (0.4, 0.7), respectively. In patients with incidental SVT, anticoagulant therapy was associated with a lower risk of major bleeding (hazard ratio [HR] 0.41; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.71), recurrent VTE (HR 0.33; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.61), and all-cause mortality (HR 0.23; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.35). CONCLUSION: Patients with incidental SVT appeared to have a similar risk of major bleeding, a higher risk of recurrent thrombosis, but lower all-cause mortality than patients with symptomatic SVT. Anticoagulant therapy seemed safe and effective in patients with incidental SVT.

Prevalence of celiac artery compression by median arcuate ligament in patients with splanchnic artery aneurysms/pseudoaneurysms submitted to endovascular embolization.

PURPOSE: To study the association between median arcuate ligament compression (MALC) of celiac artery (CA) and splanchnic artery aneurysms/pseudoaneurysms (SAAPs) submitted to endovascular embolization. METHODS: Single center retrospective study of embolized SAAPs between 2010 and 2021, to evaluate the prevalence of MALC, and compare demographic data and clinical outcomes between patients with and without MALC. As a secondary objective, patient characteristics and outcomes were compared between patients with different causes of CA stenosis. RESULTS: MALC was found in 12.3% of 57 patients. SAAPs were more prevalent in the pancreaticoduodenal arcades (PDAs) in patients with MALC, compared to those without MALC (57.1% vs. 10%, P = .009). Patients with MALC had a greater proportion of aneurysms (71.4% vs. 24%, P = .020), as opposed to pseudoaneurysms. Rupture was the main indication for embolization in both groups (71.4% and 54% of patients with and without MALC, respectively). Embolization was successful in most cases (85.7% and 90%), with 5 immediate (28.6% and 6%) and 14 non-immediate (28.6% and 24%) post-procedure complications. Thirty and 90-day mortality rate were 0% in patients with MALC, and 14% and 24% in patients without MALC. Atherosclerosis was the only other cause of CA stenosis, in 3 cases. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with SAAPs submitted to endovascular embolization, the prevalence of CA compression by MAL is not uncommon. The most frequent location for aneurysms in patients with MALC is in the PDAs. Endovascular management of SAAPs is very effective in patients with MALC, with low complications, even in ruptured aneurysms.

An Update on Acute Mesenteric Ischemia.

Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is an uncommon yet highly lethal cause of acute abdomen in the emergency setting. Computed tomography (CT) imaging, in particular a biphasic protocol consisting of angiographic and venous phase scans, is widely used to corroborate non-specific clinical findings when suspicions of AMI are high. Techniques such as low kilovoltage peak scanning, dual energy acquisition, or a combined arterial/enteric phase can improve iodine conspicuity and evaluation of bowel enhancement. Biphasic CT with CT angiography is mandatory to directly assess for the 3 primary etiologies of AMI-arterial, venous, and non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI), and the CT angiographic findings may be the first visible in the disease. In addition, numerous non-vascular CT findings have also been reported. Bowel wall thickening, mesenteric stranding, and ascites are common but non-specific findings that correlate poorly with disease severity. Pneumatosis intestinalis and portomesenteric venous gas, while not pathognomonic for ischemia, are highly specific in cases of high clinical suspicion. Bowel wall hypoenhancement is an early and specific sign but requires a protocol optimizing iodine conspicuity to confidently identify. Finally, intraperitoneal free air and solid organ infarcts are also highly specific ancillary findings in AMI. AMI occurs as a complication in 10% of small bowel obstruction (SBO) patients, and understanding imaging findings of ischemia in the context of SBO is necessary to aid in treatment planning and reduce over- and under-diagnosis of strangulation. Familiarity with the imaging features of ischemia by radiologists is vital to establish an early diagnosis before irreversible necrosis occurs.

Assessment of hepatic arterial hemodynamics with 4D flow MRI: in vitro analysis of motion and spatial resolution related error and in vivo feasibility study in 20 volunteers.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the ability of four-dimensional (4D) flow MRI to measure hepatic arterial hemodynamics by determining the effects of spatial resolution and respiratory motion suppression in vitro and its applicability in vivo with comparison to two-dimensional (2D) phase-contrast MRI. METHODS: A dynamic hepatic artery phantom and 20 consecutive volunteers were scanned. The accuracies of Cartesian 4D flow sequences with k-space reordering and navigator gating at four spatial resolutions (0.5- to 1-mm isotropic) and navigator acceptance windows (± 8 to ± 2 mm) and one 2D phase-contrast sequence (0.5-mm in -plane) were assessed in vitro at 3 T. Two sequences centered on gastroduodenal and hepatic artery branches were assessed in vivo for intra - and interobserver agreement and compared to 2D phase-contrast. RESULTS: In vitro, higher spatial resolution led to a greater decrease in error than narrower navigator window (30.5 to -4.67% vs -6.64 to -4.67% for flow). In vivo, hepatic and gastroduodenal arteries were more often visualized with the higher resolution sequence (90 vs 71%). Despite similar interobserver agreement (κ = 0.660 and 0.704), the higher resolution sequence had lower variability for area (CV = 20.04 vs 30.67%), flow (CV = 34.92 vs 51.99%), and average velocity (CV = 26.47 vs 44.76%). 4D flow had lower differences between inflow and outflow at the hepatic artery bifurcation (11.03 ± 5.05% and 15.69 ± 6.14%) than 2D phase-contrast (28.77 ± 21.01%). CONCLUSION: High-resolution 4D flow can assess hepatic artery anatomy and hemodynamics with improved accuracy, greater vessel visibility, better interobserver reliability, and internal consistency. KEY POINTS: • Motion-suppressed Cartesian four-dimensional (4D) flow MRI with higher spatial resolution provides more accurate measurements even when accepted respiratory motion exceeds voxel size. • 4D flow MRI with higher spatial resolution provides substantial interobserver agreement for visualization of hepatic artery branches. • Lower peak and average velocities and a trend toward better internal consistency were observed with 4D flow MRI as compared to 2D phase-contrast.

Large thrombosed portomesenteric venous aneurysm treated with pharmacomechanical thrombolysis combined with TIPS placement.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysms are rare anomalies of the portomesenteric venous system. Thrombotic complications of these lesions can lead to mesenteric venous ischemia and bowel infarction, potentially requiring surgical intervention. Herein we describe a case of mesenteric ischemia due to a large thrombosed portomesenteric aneurysm treated with endovascular techniques. CASE PRESENTATION: A 37-year-old previously healthy male who presented with abdominal pain to his local emergency department was found to have a thrombosed 12.0 × 5.1 cm portomesenteric venous aneurysm with evidence of mesenteric ischemia on CT. When conservative management with anticoagulation failed, transhepatic pharmacomechanical thrombolysis was initially performed. This was followed by TIPS placement with additional trans-TIPS thrombectomy to improve sluggish portal outflow and prevent re-thrombosis. The patient's symptoms and imaging findings of ischemia resolved after endovascular therapy. No surgical intervention was required, and the patient was discharged on enoxaparin before being transitioned to apixaban. The TIPS remained patent at 2-year follow-up, with no change in the size of the aneurysm or re-thrombosis noted. The patient's synthetic liver function was preserved with no evidence of hepatic encephalopathy during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular therapies may be used to manage thrombotic complications of portomesenteric venous aneurysms, obviating the need for surgical intervention in selected patients.

Hemodynamic pathways of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.

Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia are the 2 main types of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Noninvasive maternal cardiovascular function assessment, which helps obtain information from all the components of circulation, has shown that venous hemodynamic dysfunction is a feature of preeclampsia but not of gestational hypertension. Venous congestion is a known cause of organ dysfunction, but its potential role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia is currently poorly investigated. Body water volume expansion occurs in both gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, and this is associated with the common feature of new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation. Blood pressure, by definition, is the product of intravascular volume load and vascular resistance (Ohm's law). Fundamentally, hypertension may present as a spectrum of cardiovascular states varying between 2 extremes: one with a predominance of raised cardiac output and the other with a predominance of increased total peripheral resistance. In clinical practice, however, this bipolar nature of hypertension is rarely considered, despite the important implications for screening, prevention, management, and monitoring of disease. This review summarizes the evidence of type-specific hemodynamic profiles in the latent and clinical stages of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Gestational volume expansion superimposed on an early gestational closed circulatory circuit in a pressure- or volume-overloaded condition predisposes a patient to the gradual deterioration of overall circulatory function, finally presenting as gestational hypertension or preeclampsia-the latter when venous dysfunction is involved. The eventual phenotype of hypertensive disorder is already predictable from early gestation onward, on the condition of including information from all the major components of circulation into the maternal cardiovascular assessment: the heart, central and peripheral arteries, conductive and capacitance veins, and body water content. The relevance of this approach, outlined in this review, openly invites for more in-depth research into the fundamental hemodynamics of gestational hypertensive disorders, not only from the perspective of the physiologist or the scientist, but also in assistance of clinicians toward understanding and managing effectively these severe complications of pregnancy.

Therapeutic anticoagulation for splanchnic vein thrombosis in acute pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The optimal management of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) remains unknown. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to see if therapeutic anticoagulation (AC) improves outcomes in patients with AP and SVT. METHODS: A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Main outcomes were recanalization, recurrent venous thromboembolism, development of varices, collaterals or cavernoma, haemorrhage and mortality. Meta-analysis were performed with the Mantel-Haenszel random effect models. RESULTS: Seven retrospective cohort studies (3495 patients) were included. SVT occurred in 233 (7%) patients and involved most frequently the splenic vein (44%). Therapeutic AC was administered to 109 (47%) patients, most frequently to those with triple vessel thrombosis (72%) and least to those with isolated splenic vein (22%) or superior mesenteric vein thrombosis (0%). Most studies administered (low molecular weight) heparin followed by warfarin (duration ranged between 1.5 and 12 months). This meta-analysis showed an absolute risk difference of 9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = -11-28%) for recanalization, -3% (95% CI = -19-12%) for the development of varices, collaterals or cavernoma, 3% (95% CI = -6-12%) for haemorrhage and 2% (95% CI = -8-12%) for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the currently available data, it remains unclear if therapeutic anticoagulation provides benefit to acute pancreatitis patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis. These results are based on low quality data underlining the need for further higher quality studies.

Diagnostic accuracy of D-dimer in patients at high-risk for splanchnic vein thrombosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: D-dimer is included in the diagnostic algorithm for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. However, its role in the diagnosis of splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of D-dimer for SVT. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis (PROSPERO protocol registration number: CRD42020184300). The electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were searched from inception to March 2021 week 4. Studies which evaluated D-dimer accuracy for SVT in any category of patients were selected. The index test was any D-dimer assay; the reference standard was any radiological imaging. The QUADAS-2 checklist was used for the risk of bias assessment. A bivariate random-effects regression model was used to calculate summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: 12 studies (with a total of 1298 patients) evaluating the accuracy of D-dimer in patients at high risk of SVT (surgical patients, patients with liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma) were included. None of the included studies was at low risk of bias. The weighted mean prevalence of SVT was 33.4% (95% CI, 22.5-45.2%, I2 = 94.8%). D-dimer accuracy was expressed by sensitivity 96% (95% CI, 72-100%); specificity 25% (95% CI, 5-67%); positive likelihood ratio 1.3 (95% CI, 0.9-1.9); negative likelihood ratio 0.16 (95% CI, 0.03-0.84); area under the ROC curve 0.80 (95% CI, 0.76-0.83). CONCLUSIONS: D-dimer seems to have high sensitivity in the diagnosis of patients at high-risk for SVT. However, there is a strong need for more robust evidence on this topic.

Vascular Complications in Patients with Chronic Pancreatitis.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a long-standing progressive inflammation of the pancreas, which can lead to a variety of vascular complications, such as splanchnic venous thrombosis (VT) and arterial pseudoaneurysm (PA). There is a lack of studies on vascular complications in Scandinavian countries. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients with CP identified from the Karolinska University Hospital database between 2003 and 2018. A total of 394 patients with definite CP were included in the study. RESULTS: There were 33 patients with vascular complications, with a median age of 62 (IQR 55-72) years. The cumulative incidence of vascular events was 3.2% at 5 years. Thirty patients had isolated VT, whereas three patients had PA (7.6% and 0.8%, respectively). Isolated splenic vein thrombosis was most common (53.3%), followed by a combination with other splanchnic veins. PA was found in the splenic artery in two patients and in the left gastric artery in one patient. Varices were present in three (10%) patients; variceal bleeding was not recorded. All patients had asymptomatic splanchnic VT, most with chronic VT with developed collaterals (83.3% had abdominal collateral vessels). Nearly two-thirds of patients with VT (63.3%) received no treatment, whereas 11 (36.6%) were treated with anticoagulants. Pseudocysts and alcoholic etiology of CP are risk factors for vascular complications. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative incidence of vascular complications was 3.2% at 5 years. Splanchnic VT is more common than PA. Patients were asymptomatic with no variceal bleeding, explained by well-developed collateral vessels and strong study inclusion criteria.