Clinical Research Directory

Optimizing Endoscopic and Interventional Treatment for Portal Hypertensive Bleeding

This study aims to evaluate the impact of high-risk factors-such as elevated portal venous pressure, concurrent large extra-luminal vessels, portal vein thrombosis, and prominent portosystemic shunts-on the efficacy of endoscopic therapy. By comparing with interventional treatment, the goal is to optimize the clinical management protocol for esophageal and gastric varices, enhance the therapeutic outcomes of portal hypertension-related esophageal and gastric varices, and improve patient prognosis.

Non-invasive Predictors of Esophageal Varices and Their Correlation to Upper Endoscopic Findings

The goal of this observational study: * To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive markers in predicting the presence and grading of esophageal varices in children with portal hypertension. * To correlate these non-invasive markers with the severity of portal hypertension and the grade of esophageal varices to identify patients at high risk of bleeding. * To propose a defined protocol for screening esophageal varices in those children.

2D-shear Wave Spleen Elastography in Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension and High-risk Varices

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the role of spleen shear wave elastography (SWE-SSM) for ruling in and ruling out clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) and for ruling in and ruling out high-risk esophageal varices (HRV) in patients with CSPH. Secondary objectives of the study include the investigation of the correlation between SWE-SSM and portal pressure in a subgroup of patients undergoing hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement and between SWE-SSM and transient elastography (TE-SSM). The values of SWE-SSM and SWE-LSM will be assessed during the ultrasound examination to which the patient will be subjected according to their care pathway. If inclusion criteria are met and informed consent is obtained, spleen elastography will be carried out (in addition to the routine SWE-LSM planned in clinical practice). Spleen elastography will not alter the standard ultrasound examination but represents a non-invasive diagnostic addition. There will be no treatment or experimental intervention that will modify the patient's condition or directly influence their clinical course. The aim is to collect data based on clinical observations without altering the treatment or the natural course of the disease.

TIPS for Complicated Portal Hypertension Related to Porto-Sinusoidal Vascular Disease

Porto-sinusoidal Vascular Disease (PSVD) is characterized by a portal hypertension (PH) without cirrhosis. This can induce PH complications, like digestive hemorrhage from esophageal or gastric varices, ascites, or even portal thrombosis. Due to the rarity of MVPS, the treatment of complications of portal hypertension is modeled on the methods used in cirrhotic portal hypertension with non-cardio-selective beta blockers, endoscopic ligations or diuretics in first line therapy, as proposed by the Baveno VII recommendations. In complicated or refractory forms of PH in PSVD, the place of TIPS is also discussed, as in the field of cirrhosis. However, the experience of TIPS in PSVD is limited, reported in case reports and small specifically dedicated series. No predictive factors for survival or recurrence and tolerance were well known. A larger study with control group is needed in order to better know the right time and the right indication for the use of TIPS in complicated PH PSVD-related. The study will be retrospective, multicentric involving tertiary university French centers, expert in the management of TIPS. Patients white TIPS-PSVD will be compared with historical patients with TIPS-cirrhose, matched on age, sexe, indication of TIPS. The study will not comprise new intervention, only observational in a real life condition

A Digital Tongue Diagnosis Model for High- and Low-risk Esophagogastroduodenal Varices in Cirrhosis

The aim of this observational study is to establish an AI deep learning model that can dianosie high-risk varices for patients with cirrhosis effeciently. The main question of this study is to esplore: question 1: Developing a digital tongue diagnosis model, specifically a deep learning model to diagnose high-risk esophageal and gastric varices (HRV) associated with cirrhosis using sublingual vein images. Answering the question of whether the new tongue diagnosis method can accurately diagnose. Question 2: Compare the diagnostic efficacy digital tongue diagnosis model with diagnostic models constructed using other biochemical indicators for HRV in cirrhosis, and answer the question of "how to use it optimally." Question 3: Exploring the correlation between sublingual vein characteristics and Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). Question 4: Compared with endoscopic examination results, validate the diagnostic performance of the model (AUC ≥ 0.90) and screen for key parameters of sublingual vein characteristics (such as sublingual vein varicosity diameter, vein length, color, etc.). Question 5: Follow-up tongue examination images of patients with cirrhosis who underwent treatment (e.g., endoscopy, splenic embolization, TIPS, etc.) at 1, 2, and 3 years post-treatment were evaluated to assess the efficacy of digital tongue examination models in predicting high-risk esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding at 1, 2, and 3 years post-treatment, as well as the efficacy in predicting endoscopic treatment failure rates and patient mortality associated with bleeding.

Improve the Strategies of Endoscopic and Interventional Treatment of Gastroesophageal Hemorrhage in Portal Hypertension

Endoscopic esophageal variceal ligation combined with gastric variceal embolization using tissue glue is currently the first-choice method for preventing rebleeding in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. However, the rebleeding rate remains relatively high. Factors such as extra-luminal vascular bundles in the esophagus and stomach walls, and portosystemic shunts significantly affect the therapeutic outcomes. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an individualized treatment model for esophagogastric varices based on the anatomical and hemodynamic characteristics of the varices, to stratify patient risks and provide tailored treatment options. Before the treatment of esophagogastric varices, the vascular characteristics of esophagogastric varices are assessed based on imaging data such as portal venous CT and ultrasound, as well as clinical information. Risk factors influencing bleeding from esophagogastric varices are explored, and an endoscopic and interventional variceal stratification and treatment model is constructed to provide patients with personalized options for endoscopic or interventional therapy. During the treatment of esophagogastric varices, precise endovascular embolization of the source branch vessels of esophagogastric varices is performed based on hemodynamic models. The safety and efficacy of this treatment strategy are verified through randomized controlled clinical trials. After the treatment of esophagogastric varices, the feasibility of reducing the risk of rebleeding in patients with poor endoscopic outcomes is examined by using drugs that lower portal venous pressure, such as carvedilol or novel oral anticoagulants. Factors influencing recompensation and reversal of portal hypertension are also clarified.

Fecal Calprotectin for Prediction of Esophageal Varices in Cirrhotic Patients

The goal of this cross-sectional observational study is to evaluate the accuracy of fecal calprotectin versus non-invasive scores in assessing the presence and grading of esophageal varices in Egyptian patients. Researchers will compare fecal calprotectin levels in cirrhotic patients with and without esophageal varices (EVs) and healthy subjects. researchers will also evaluate the performance of fecal calprotectin, AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) score, fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, platelet-albumin-bilirubin (PALBI) score, and platelet-spleen diameter ratio (PSR) for predicting esophageal varices. Participants will undergo history-taking, clinical examination, laboratory investigations, fecal calprotectin, abdominal ultrasonography, and upper endoscopy. Endoscopic grading of esophageal varices will be done using Paquet's classification. The APRI, FIB-4, ALBI, PALBI, and PSR scores will be calculated. The performance of fecal calprotectin for predicting EVs will be compared versus other non-invasive scores.

Cross-section Band Ligation Versus Stepladder Band Ligation of Esophageal Varices

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the cross-section band ligation technique versus the stepladder band ligation technique in esophageal varices prophylaxis. Researchers will compare cross-section and step ladder band ligation techniques for esophageal varices prophylaxis regarding efficacy, side effects, variceal recurrence, and survival. Participants will undergo history-taking, clinical examination, laboratory investigations, and upper endoscopy. Index upper endoscopy will be performed to evaluate the presence, size, and grade of esophageal varices. Patients will be randomly assigned to endoscopic band ligation (EBL) either by cross-section or stepladder techniques every two to four weeks until eradication. After eradication of varices, endoscopy will be repeated after 3-6 months to check for variceal recurrence. For a period of 6 months, all patients in the treatment groups will be followed up every 3 months with clinic visits, including laboratory testing, evaluation of treatment-related side effects, bleeding rates, and mortality from EBL treatment.

Endoscopic Variceal Ligation vs Carvedilol for the Prevention of First Esophageal Variceal Bleeding in Patients With HCC

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) or carvedilol is more effective at preventing the first esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It will also learn about the safety of EVL and carvedilol in patients with HCC. The main questions it aims to answer are: Whether EVL or carvedilol is more effective at preventing initial EVB in patients with HCC with high-risk EVs. What medical problems do participants have when undergoing EVL or taking carvedilol? Researchers will compare the efficacy and safety of EVL to carvedilol for the prevention of first EVB in patients with HCC. Participants will: Undergo EVL every 3-4 weeks until variceal eradication and then receive regular endoscopic follow-up according to the protocol, or Take carvedilol every day (start from 6.25 mg/d and then titrate to 12.5 mg/d if tolerable). Visit the clinic once every 2-3 months for checkups and tests. Keep a diary of their vital signs (SBP, DBP, and HR) as well as symptoms.

Carvedilol Plus EVL or Not for the Primary Prevention of Esophageal Variceal Bleeding in Carvedilol Non-responders

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether carvedilol plus endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) is more effective for the primary prevention of esophageal variceal bleeding than carvedilol alone in carvedilol non-responders. It will also learn about the safety of carvedilol combined with EVL in patients with cirrhosis. The main questions it aims to answer are: Whether carvedilol plus EVL is more effective than carvedilol alone in preventing the first esophageal variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients unresponsive to carvedilol. What medical problems do participants have when taking carvedilol or taking carvedilol combined with undergoing EVL? Researchers will compare the efficacy and safety of carvedilol with or without EVL in preventing the first esophageal variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients unresponsive to carvedilol. Participants will: Take carvedilol every day (start from 6.25 mg/d and then titrate to 12.5 mg/d if tolerable) and undergo EVL every 3-4 weeks until variceal eradication followed by regular endoscopic follow-up according to the protocol, or Take carvedilol alone every day (start from 6.25 mg/d and then titrate to 12.5 mg/d if tolerable). Visit the clinic once every 2-3 months for checkups and tests. Keep a diary of their vital signs (SBP, DBP, and HR) as well as symptoms.

Carvedilol Versus Endoscopic Band Ligation for Primary Prophylaxis of Oesophageal Variceal Bleeding

Carvedilol versus endoscopic band ligation for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients with arterial hypertension