A return to harmful alcohol consumption impacts on portal hemodynamic changes following alcoholic hepatitis

Evolution of spontaneous portosystemic shunts over time and following aetiological intervention in patients with cirrhosis

Background & Aims

Spontaneous portosystemic shunts (SPSS) develop frequently in cirrhosis. Changes over time and the effect of aetiological interventions on SPSS are unknown, so we aimed to explore the effect of these variables on SPSS evolution.

Methods

Patients with cirrhosis from the Baveno VI-SPSS cohort were selected provided a follow-up abdominal CT or MRI scan was available. Clinical and laboratory data were collected at baseline and follow-up. Imaging tests were reviewed to evaluate changes in the presence and size of SPSS (large (L)-SPSS was ≥8 mm) over time. Regarding alcohol- or HCV-related cirrhosis, two populations were defined: cured patients (abstinent from alcohol or successful HCV therapy), and non-cured patients.

Results

A total of 617 patients were included. At baseline SPSS distribution was 22% L-SPSS, 30% small (S)-SPSS, and 48% without (W)-SPSS. During follow-up (median follow-up of 63 months), SPSS distribution worsened: L-SPSS 26%, S-SPSS 32%, and W-SPSS 42% (p <0.001). Patients with worse liver function during follow-up showed a simultaneous aggravation in SPSS distribution. Non-cured patients (n = 191) experienced a significant worsening in liver function, more episodes of liver decompensation and lower transplant-free survival compared to cured patients (n = 191). However, no differences were observed regarding SPSS distribution at inclusion and at follow-up, with both groups showing a trend to worsening. Total shunt diameter increased more in non-cured (52%) than in cured patients (28%). However, total shunt area (TSA) significantly increased only in non-cured patients (74 to 122 mm2, p <0.001).

Conclusions

The presence of SPSS in cirrhosis increases over time and parallels liver function deterioration. Aetiological intervention in these patients reduces liver-related complications, but SPSS persist although progression is decreased.

Impact and implications

There is no information regarding the evolution of spontaneous portosystemic shunts (SPSS) during the course of cirrhosis, and especially after disease regression with aetiological interventions, such as HCV treatment with direct-acting antivirals or alcohol abstinence. These results are relevant for clinicians dealing with patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension because they have important implications for the management of cirrhosis with SPSS after disease regression. From a practical point of view, physicians should be aware that in advanced cirrhosis with portal hypertension, after aetiological intervention, SPSS mostly persist despite liver function improvement, and complications related to SPSS may still develop.

Emergency services utilization by patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis: An analysis of national trends

BACKGROUND

Hospitalization and mortality in patients with alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH), a severe form of liver disease, continue to increase over time. Given the severity of the illness, most hospitalized patients with AH are admitted from the emergency department (ED). However, there are no data on ED utilization by patients with AH. Thus, the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) dataset was analyzed to determine the ED utilization for AH.

METHODS

Temporal trends (2016-2019) and outcomes of ED visits for AH were determined. Primary or secondary AH diagnoses were based on coding priority. Numbers of patients evaluated in the ED, severity of disease, complications of liver disease, and discharge disposition were analyzed. Crude and adjusted rates were examined, and temporal trends evaluated using logistic regression with orthogonal polynomial contrasts for each year.

RESULTS

There were 466,014,370 ED visits during 2016-2019, of which 448,984 (0.096%) were for AH, 85.0% of which required hospitalization. The rate of visits for AH (primary and secondary) between 2016 and 2019 increased from 85 to 106.8/100,000 ED visits. The rate of secondary AH increased more than the rate of primary AH (from 68.6 to 86.5 vs. from 16.4 to 20.3/100,000 ED visits). Patients aged 45-64 years had the highest rate of ED visits for AH, which decreased during the study period, while the rate of ED visits for AH increased in those aged 25-44 years (from 38.5% to 42.9%). The severity of disease (ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and acute kidney injury) also increased over time. Medicaid and private insurance were the most common payors for patients seeking care in the ED for AH.

CONCLUSIONS

Temporal trends show an overall increase in ED utilization rates for AH, more patients requiring hospitalization, and an increase in the proportion of younger patients presenting to the ED with AH.

Portal Hypertension in Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis

Purpose of Review

This review article will examine portal hypertension in alcoholic hepatitis (AH) from both a basic mechanistic and a clinical perspective.

Recent Findings

Alcoholic hepatitis is a major public health problem in the USA, accounting for over 300,000 hospital admissions in a recent year of data (Jinjuvadia et al. J Clin Gastroenterol. 60;49:506–511). Portal hypertension is a key consequence of AH and a driver of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Alcohol may directly mediate portal hypertension via multiple possible mechanisms, including increased portal inflow, increased intrahepatic vasoconstriction, inflammation, and changes in the liver vasculature such as perisinusoidal fibrosis and phlebosclerosis.

Summary

Portal hypertension is a key consequence of AH and a critical area for future research.

Mortality after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in older adult patients with cirrhosis: A validated prediction model

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Implantation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) improves survival in patients with cirrhosis with refractory ascites and portal hypertensive bleeding. However, the indication for TIPS in older adult patients (greater than or equal to 70 years) is debated, and a specific prediction model developed in this particular setting is lacking. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a multivariable model for an accurate prediction of mortality in older adults.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

We prospectively enrolled 411 consecutive patients observed at four referral centers with de novo TIPS implantation for refractory ascites or secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding (derivation cohort) and an external cohort of 415 patients with similar indications for TIPS (validation cohort). Older adult patients in the two cohorts were 99 and 76, respectively. A cause-specific Cox competing risks model was used to predict liver-related mortality, with orthotopic liver transplant and death for extrahepatic causes as competing events. Age, alcoholic etiology, creatinine levels, and international normalized ratio in the overall cohort, and creatinine and sodium levels in older adults were independent risk factors for liver-related death by multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

After TIPS implantation, mortality is increased by aging, but TIPS placement should not be precluded in patients older than 70 years. In older adults, creatinine and sodium levels are useful predictors for decision making. Further efforts to update the prediction model with larger sample size are warranted.

Prevention of First Decompensation in Advanced Chronic Liver Disease

The first occurrence of decompensation constitutes a watershed moment in the natural history of chronic liver disease; it denotes a point of no return in a relevant proportion of patients. Preventive strategies may profoundly decrease cirrhosis-related morbidity and mortality. Removing the primary etiologic factor and cofactors, is key; however, a considerable proportion of patients require additional etiology-independent treatment strategies that target important pathomechanisms promoting decompensation (ie, portal hypertension and systemic inflammation). This article explains the importance of preventing first decompensation and summarizes the evidence for etiologic and etiology-independent (most important, nonselective beta-blockers and statins) therapies.

Small Esophageal Varices in Patients with Cirrhosis-Should We Treat Them?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The natural history and classification systems of small varices (≤ 5 mm in diameter) in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension are summarized. Studies that assessed the course of and therapeutic intervention for small varices are discussed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current non-invasive methods show suboptimal sensitivity to detect small varices in patients with cirrhosis. Next to etiological therapy, hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG)-guided non-selective betablocker or carvedilol treatment has shown to impact on natural history of small varices.

SUMMARY

The main therapeutic focus in cirrhotic patients with small varices is the cure of the underlying etiology. The optimal management of small varices should include measurement of HVPG. A pharmacological decrease in HVPG by non-selective betablocker therapy of ≥ 10% reduces the risk of progression to large varices, first variceal bleeding, and hepatic decompensation. If HVPG is not available, we would recommend carvedilol 12.5 mg q.d. for treatment of small varices in compensated patients without severe ascites. Only if small esophageal varices (EV) are not treated or in hemodynamic non-responders, follow-up endoscopies should be performed in 1-2 years of intervals considering the activity of liver disease or if hepatic decompensation occurs.