Clinical Research Directory

Hepatic and Splenic Microcirculatory Perfusion for Ruling Out High-Risk Varices in Patients With Hepatitis B-Related Cirrhosis

Background: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related cirrhosis is a common cause of portal hypertension, which leads to the development of gastroesophageal varices (EGVs). High-risk varices (HRV) are associated with a higher risk of bleeding and require timely interventions. Endoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing HRV but is invasive and not suitable for routine screening in large populations. Objective: This study aims to develop a noninvasive model based on hepatic and splenic microcirculatory perfusion parameters derived from intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict and rule out HRV in patients with compensated CHB-related cirrhosis receiving antiviral therapy. Methods: This observational, retrospective study will include patients with compensated CHB-related cirrhosis who have undergone both esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and IVIM MRI. Microcirculatory perfusion parameters will be extracted from IVIM images using a biexponential model, and their ability to predict HRV will be assessed. Outcomes: The study will validate the performance of the Hepato-Splenic Microcirculatory Perfusion Model (HSMP) in ruling out HRV compared to conventional noninvasive tests like APRI, FIB-4, and LSM. The model's diagnostic accuracy will be evaluated with a focus on reducing unnecessary endoscopic procedures. Significance: If successful, this model could reduce the need for invasive endoscopy and improve the management of cirrhosis patients by providing a safer and more accessible screening tool for HRV.

Treatment Outcomes for Portal Hypertension Esophageal and Gastric Varices

This study is a single-center, prospective cohort study based on real-world data. Patients with portal hypertension and esophagogastric varices were enrolled and divided into an endoscopic treatment group and a non-endoscopic treatment group (including patients receiving medical therapy, interventional procedures, or surgical treatment) according to whether they underwent endoscopic intervention. Baseline data, serum metabolites, CT imaging and endoscopic images, liver biopsy pathology, and other multi-omics data were integrated for both groups. Patients were followed up to compare adverse events after variceal treatment, including rebleeding and its causes, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, subsequent treatments (such as regular endoscopic therapy, NSSB, and TIPS), and survival outcomes. Clinical characteristics of portal hypertension attributed to different etiologies, including hepatitis B, autoimmune liver disease, schistosomiasis, hematological disorders, and chemotherapy-induced liver injury, were compared. The efficacy and safety of endoscopic and interventional treatments for esophagogastric varices were evaluated. Factors influencing rebleeding rates among different treatment groups were analyzed, and reasons for inclusion in different groups were discussed.

EUS-PPG Alteration After Ligation and Sclerotherapy in Esophageal Varices

Acute variceal bleeding due to cirrhotic portal hypertension is a life-threatening emergency in gastroenterology. Current preventive strategies include non-selective β-blockers (e.g., carvedilol/propranolol), endoscopic therapy (sclerotherapy or band ligation), and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). While pharmacological and TIPS interventions directly reduce portal pressure, the impact of endoscopic therapies on portal hemodynamics remains controversial. The hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), measured via transjugular catheterization as the difference between wedged and free hepatic venous pressures, is the gold standard for assessing portal pressure. Clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) is defined as HVPG ≥10 mmHg, with values \>12 mmHg predicting variceal formation and bleeding risk. Traditional views suggest that non-selective β-blockers and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) can reduce portal vein pressure. Does endoscopic intervention affect portal vein pressure? Previous studies have explored changes in HVPG in the acute phase after esophageal variceal sclerotherapy and ligation therapy, with inconsistent results. In the study by Toyonaga et al., HVPG was rechecked 2 weeks after sclerotherapy, and the average decreased from 17.9 mmHg to 17.6 mmHg (J Hepatol. 1994 Oct;21(4):515-20). In the study by Gonzalo Bada et al., HVPG values increased from 16.5 mmHg to 19.5 mmHg on average 24 hours after ligation therapy (Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2020 Jun;112(6):456-461). However, in a prospective randomized controlled study conducted by Avgerinos et al., which compared changes in HVPG within 5 days after ligation and sclerotherapy, and found that HVPG significantly increased after sclerotherapy, while there was no significant change in HVPG after ligation (Hepatology. 2004 Jun;39(6):1623-30). The investigators speculate that the inconsistent results mentioned above may be related to the limitations of HVPG, which inaccurately reflects pre-sinusoidal/extrahepatic portal hypertension and is influenced by technical factors (e.g., catheter position, sedation). Emerging evidence suggests endoscopic ultrasound-guided portal pressure gradient (EUS-PPG) measurement may overcome these limitations. Recent studies demonstrate strong correlations between EUS-PPG and HVPG, as well as associations with variceal severity and Child-Pugh class. However, data on chronic portal pressure changes (≥3 months) post-endoscopic therapy are lacking. This prospective study aims to evaluate chronic changes in EUS-PPG 3-6 months after endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) or sclerotherapy in cirrhotic patients receiving primary/secondary prophylaxis.