Clinical Research Directory

Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient Versus Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Portal Pressure Gradient - Comparative Analysis (HEPCA)

The goal of this interventional trial is to compare in measuring of portal hypertension by HVPG and EUS-PPG in subject indicated to HVPG measurement. The primary question is whether EUS-PPG provides measurements really equivalent to HVPG in terms of gradient accuracy. Participants undergoing HVPG will first undergo the procedure while conscious, performed by the first operator. Immediately thereafter, HVPG will be repeated following the induction of anesthesia by a second operator blinded to the initial readings. Subsequently, EUS-PPG will be performed by an endoscopist, who will also be blinded to all previous pressure measurements.

Prediction of Portal Hypertension in Patients With CVID (CVID-pHT)

Patients with CVID will be offered to participate in this observational trial during the routine annual visit in the outpatient clinic at the Center of chronic Immunodeficiency (CCI) of the University Medical Center Freiburg, Germany. Clinical and laboratory data at the time of presentation will be assessed. Additionally, parameters of abdominal ultrasound, duplex sonography of the liver and spleen, and liver and spleen stiffness at the time of presentation will be evaluated. If applicable, clinical and/or interventional parameters indicating clinically significant portal hypertension (i.e. presence of varices or portal-hypertensive gastropathy in esophago-gastroduodenoscopy, presence of ascites) within 12 months prior and after the index visit will be assessed. During the visit, serum/plasma samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are collected and stored in an associated biobank.

Non-invasive Tools for PSVD Diagnosis

Patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy drugs have the probability of developing PSVD. The diagnosis of PSVD depends on liver biopsy. In addition, the level of portal vein pressure has guiding value in the diagnosis and prognosis of PSVD. Many studies have shown that liver and spleen stiffness have high accuracy in diagnosis and prognosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the combination of liver and spleen stiffness in the diagnosis of PSVD and to search for effective biomarkers for the diagnosis of PSVD through a single-center, prospective, observational study.

Freiburg TIPS Registry

Patients with clinically significant portal hypertension allocated to implantation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) at the Department of Medicine II of the University Medical Center Freiburg, Germany will be offered to participate in this prospective observational trial. Clinical and laboratory as well as outcome parameters will be assessed before and within the first 12 months after TIPS implantation following a regular follow-up schedule with clinical visits at the University Medical Center Freiburg. During follow-up visits, serum/plasma samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are collected and stored in a associated biobank.

Clinical Diagnosis and Pathological Spectrum of Porto-sinusoidal Vascular Disease in India

There is a need to re-evaluate the patients classified as NCPH and determine whether the new histological classification proposed by the VALDIG applies to the Indian scenario. We intend to identify the patient cohorts who have been diagnosed as NCPH, NCPF, EHPVO, hepatic venous outlet tract obstruction (HVOTO), Veno-occlusive disease (VOD) and sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) based on their liver biopsy, endoscopy, HVPG, and radiology reports. These patients will be screened to find the patients who fit the diagnosis of PSVD. It is important to establish whether the new definition of PSVD is relevant to the Indian population and establish the usefulness of invasive tests like liver biopsy in diagnosing the disease. The patient cohorts meeting diagnosis of INCPH will be compared with those meeting the new diagnosis of PSVD. The investigators will describe the clinical (demographic, clinical risk factors, socioeconomic status), etiological (associated conditions, coagulation disorders medication use, genetic risk factors), imaging (based on ultrasound Doppler imaging or cross- sectional imaging), endoscopic, fibrosis tests (using non-invasive tests), and the histopathology of the patients who fulfil the criteria of PSVD.

Predicting Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure After Surgical Intervention in Chronic Liver Disease

Prospective, observational study to define precipitants and predictors of development of Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) after surgical interventions, allowing to develop a risk stratification for elective procedures in cirrhotic patients. As well as identifying molecular mechanisms of post-interventional ACLF and thus preparing the ground for development of new therapeutic approaches.