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Besteiro B, Marques da Cruz M, Alves C, Costa F, Nunes M, Dias DM, Barreira A, Calvão J, Mesquita M, Carvalho S, Pinho I, Carrola P, Ramos JP. The influence of carvedilol posology timing on clinically significant portal hypertension: insights from elastography measurements. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 36:615-621. [PMID: 38477862 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000002738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Carvedilol has emerged as the preferred β-blocker for treating portal hypertension. However, there is still a debate in dosing regimen, with a potential lower bioavailability in once-daily regimens. The aim of this study is to assess the acute effects of carvedilol posology in patients with clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH), as a surrogate marker of bioavailability. METHODS In this experimental study, 34 patients with CSPH receiving carvedilol twice daily were asked to suppress the night dose of carvedilol, creating a standardized 24-hour dose interval. Spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography (TE) were performed, with the exact interval between the last carvedilol administration and TE measurements consistently maintained at 24 hours and compared with values prior and under treatment. RESULTS Thirty-four patients were included, predominantly male (82.9%). SSM after suspending carvedilol for 24 hours [mean, 73.9kPa (SD, 17.0)] was significantly higher ( P < 0.001) than under treatment [mean, 56.3kPa (SD, 13.2)] and was not significantly different ( P = 0.908) from SSM prior to introduction of carvedilol [mean, 74.5kPa (SD, 12.4)]. Differences were also found in stratified analysis for carvedilol dosage, D'Amico classification stages, MELDNa scores, MELD3.0 scores, Child-Pugh class A and CSPH due to alcoholic cirrhosis. LSM after suspension was not significantly different from both under treatment and prior to treatment. CONCLUSION The differences in SSM after skipping one dose of carvedilol show both the importance of strict adherence to the prescribed dosing regimen to achieve the expected therapeutic benefits and the impact of twice daily prescription in bioavailability throughout the day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Besteiro
- Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de São João
- Faculty of Medicine, Oporto University, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de São João, Oporto
| | - Manuel Marques da Cruz
- Unidade de Saúde Pública do Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde Marão e Douro Norte, ARS Norte, Vila Real
- Faculty of Medicine University of Porto, MEDCIDS and CINTESIS, Porto
| | - Cláudia Alves
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Distrital de Santarém, Santarém
| | - Fátima Costa
- Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar do Tâmega e Sousa, Penafiel
| | - Mariana Nunes
- Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar de Trás os Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real
| | - Daniel Martinho Dias
- Faculty of Medicine University of Porto, MEDCIDS and CINTESIS, Porto
- Family Health Unit Ao Encontro da Saúde, ACES Santo Tirso, Trofa
| | - Ana Barreira
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Joana Calvão
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Mónica Mesquita
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Sónia Carvalho
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Inês Pinho
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Paulo Carrola
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - José Presa Ramos
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Centro Hospitalar de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
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Campbell KA, Trivedi HD, Chopra S. Infections in Cirrhosis: A Guide for the Clinician. Am J Med 2021; 134:727-734. [PMID: 33607090 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2021.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cirrhosis contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Infections in patients with cirrhosis are common and significantly impact health-related quality of life. As our understanding of immune dysfunction associated with cirrhosis grows and as rates of drug-resistant organisms increase, the management of infections in cirrhosis has become increasingly nuanced. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of cirrhosis-associated immune deficiency, review the most common infections in patients with cirrhosis, and highlight techniques for the general clinician in the prevention and treatment of infections in this high-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsti A Campbell
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
| | - Hirsh D Trivedi
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
| | - Sanjiv Chopra
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
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Gunarathne LS, Rajapaksha H, Shackel N, Angus PW, Herath CB. Cirrhotic portal hypertension: From pathophysiology to novel therapeutics. World J Gastroenterol 2020; 26:6111-6140. [PMID: 33177789 PMCID: PMC7596642 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i40.6111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Portal hypertension and bleeding from gastroesophageal varices is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Portal hypertension is initiated by increased intrahepatic vascular resistance and a hyperdynamic circulatory state. The latter is characterized by a high cardiac output, increased total blood volume and splanchnic vasodilatation, resulting in increased mesenteric blood flow. Pharmacological manipulation of cirrhotic portal hypertension targets both the splanchnic and hepatic vascular beds. Drugs such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II type receptor 1 blockers, which target the components of the classical renin angiotensin system (RAS), are expected to reduce intrahepatic vascular tone by reducing extracellular matrix deposition and vasoactivity of contractile cells and thereby improve portal hypertension. However, these drugs have been shown to produce significant off-target effects such as systemic hypotension and renal failure. Therefore, the current pharmacological mainstay in clinical practice to prevent variceal bleeding and improving patient survival by reducing portal pressure is non-selective -blockers (NSBBs). These NSBBs work by reducing cardiac output and splanchnic vasodilatation but most patients do not achieve an optimal therapeutic response and a significant proportion of patients are unable to tolerate these drugs. Although statins, used alone or in combination with NSBBs, have been shown to improve portal pressure and overall mortality in cirrhotic patients, further randomized clinical trials are warranted involving larger patient populations with clear clinical end points. On the other hand, recent findings from studies that have investigated the potential use of the blockers of the components of the alternate RAS provided compelling evidence that could lead to the development of drugs targeting the splanchnic vascular bed to inhibit splanchnic vasodilatation in portal hypertension. This review outlines the mechanisms related to the pathogenesis of portal hypertension and attempts to provide an update on currently available therapeutic approaches in the management of portal hypertension with special emphasis on how the alternate RAS could be manipulated in our search for development of safe, specific and effective novel therapies to treat portal hypertension in cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakmie S Gunarathne
- Department of Medicine, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Harinda Rajapaksha
- School of Molecular Science, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | | | - Peter W Angus
- Department of Gastroenterology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Chandana B Herath
- Department of Medicine, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- South Western Sydney Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, 1 Campbell Street, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
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Schwartz G, Darling JO, Mindo M, Damicis L. Management of Adverse Events Associated with Cabozantinib Treatment in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Target Oncol 2020; 15:549-565. [PMID: 32770441 PMCID: PMC7434721 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-020-00736-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cabozantinib is an oral multikinase inhibitor whose targets include vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, MET, and the TAM family of kinases (TYRO3, AXL, MER). Cabozantinib is approved for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who have been previously treated with sorafenib, based on improved overall survival and progression-free survival relative to placebo in the phase III CELESTIAL study. During CELESTIAL, the most common adverse events (AEs) experienced by patients receiving cabozantinib included palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, fatigue, gastrointestinal-related events, and hypertension. These AEs can significantly impact treatment tolerability and patient quality of life. However, AEs can be effectively managed with supportive care and dose modifications. During CELESTIAL, more than half of the patients receiving cabozantinib required a dose reduction, while the rate of treatment discontinuation due to AEs was low. Here, we review the safety profile of cabozantinib and provide guidance on the prevention and management of the more common AEs, based on current evidence from the literature as well as our clinical experience. We consider the specific challenges faced by clinicians in treating this patient population and discuss factors that may affect exposure and tolerability to cabozantinib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Schwartz
- Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Clinic, University of California San Francisco, 1825 Fourth St, Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
| | | | - Malori Mindo
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lucia Damicis
- IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
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Abstract
High levels of antimicrobial drug resistance deleteriously affecting the outcome of treatment with antibacterial agents are causing increasing concern worldwide. This is particularly worrying in patients with cirrhosis with a depressed immune system and heightened susceptibility to infection. Antibiotics have to be started early before results of microbiological culture are available. Current guidelines for the empirical choice of antibiotics in this situation are not very helpful, and embracing antimicrobial stewardship including rapid de-escalation of therapy are not sufficiently emphasised. Multi-drug resistant organism rates to quinolone drugs of up to 40% are recorded in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis on prophylactic antibiotics, leading to a break-through recurrence of intra-peritoneal infection. Also considered in this review is the value of rifaximin-α, non-selective beta-blockers, and concerns around proton pump inhibitor drug use. Fecal microbial transplantation and other gut-targeting therapies in lessening gut bacterial translocation are a promising approach, and new molecular techniques for determining bacterial sensitivity will allow more specific targeted therapy.
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Zaghloul SG, Wahab EA, Seleem WM, Hanafy AS, Gomaa AF, Lakouz K, Amin AI. Impact of non-selective beta blockers on portal hypertension and hepatic elasticity in hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis. Drug Discov Ther 2019; 13:108-113. [PMID: 31080201 DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2019.01009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Portal hypertension and its complications are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. Noninvasive assessment of liver stiffness had been an effective tool for assessment of fibrosis progression in chronic liver disease. It was intended to assess liver stiffness measurement (LSM), portal vein diameter (PVD), splenic bipolar diameter (SD), and the platelet count/spleen diameter (PC/SD) ratio in patients who test positive for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and to study the impact of non-selective beta blockers (NSBB) on the grade of esophageal varices (EVs) and liver elasticity. Subjects were 80 patients with Child-Pugh grade A or B compensated cirrhosis who tested positive for HCV. All of the patients underwent a laboratory workup including AFP, HCV antibodies, HCV RNA, HBsAg, LSM according to real-time elastography, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) to detect and grade EVs, calculation of the PC/SD ratio, and measurement of the PVD and SD according to real-time abdominal ultrasonography. All patients were given the maximum tolerated dose of NSBB for three months, and UGIE, LSM, PC/SD, PVD, and SD were subsequently reassessed and reported. LSM and the PC/SD ratio were exceptional noninvasive tools for prediction of significant EVs (grade ≥ II, p < 0.001) with a sensitivity 82.4% and a specificity 82.6% at a cutoff point 18 kPa for LSM, and a sensitivity 94.1% and specificity 69.6% at a cutoff point 880 for the PC/SD ratio. LSM is highly correlated with PVD, the PC/SD ratio, SD, and the Child-Pugh score. NSBB significantly decreased PVD. The percent change in PVD significantly correlated with LSM, the grade of EVs, and SD. Findings indicated that LSM is a noninvasive, rapid, and reproducible tool with which to detect portal hypertension and EVs. NSBB therapy can effectively decrease PVD and may consequently improve the EV grade with no significant impact on LSM in patients with liver cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar G Zaghloul
- Hepato-gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Zagazig University
| | - Essam A Wahab
- Hepato-gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Zagazig University
| | - Waseem M Seleem
- Hepato-gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Zagazig University
| | - Amr S Hanafy
- Hepato-gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Zagazig University
| | - Ahmed Fathy Gomaa
- Hepato-gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Zagazig University
| | - Kh Lakouz
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University
| | - A I Amin
- Hepato-gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Port Said University
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Swift O, Vilar E, Farrington K. Unexplained inflammation in end‐stage kidney disease: Is the combination of enhanced gastrointestinal permeability and reticuloendothelial dysfunction its cause? Semin Dial 2019; 32:417-423. [DOI: 10.1111/sdi.12810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Swift
- Department of Renal Medicine East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust Stevenage UK
| | - Enric Vilar
- Department of Renal Medicine East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust Stevenage UK
- University of Hertfordshire Hatfield UK
| | - Ken Farrington
- Department of Renal Medicine East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust Stevenage UK
- University of Hertfordshire Hatfield UK
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Fukui H, Kawaratani H, Kaji K, Takaya H, Yoshiji H. Management of refractory cirrhotic ascites: challenges and solutions. Hepat Med 2018; 10:55-71. [PMID: 30013405 PMCID: PMC6039068 DOI: 10.2147/hmer.s136578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the various risky complications of liver cirrhosis, refractory ascites is associated with poor survival of cirrhotics and persistently worsens their quality of life (QOL). Major clinical guidelines worldwide define refractory ascites as ascites that cannot be managed by medical therapy either because of a lack of response to maximum doses of diuretics or because patients develop complications related to diuretic therapy that preclude the use of an effective dose of diuretics. Due to the difficulty in receiving a liver transplantation (LT), the ultimate solution for refractory ascites, most cirrhotic patients have selected the palliative therapy such as repeated serial paracentesis, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, or peritoneovenous shunt to improve their QOL. During the past several decades, new interventions and methodologies, such as indwelling peritoneal catheter, peritoneal-urinary drainage, and cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy, have been introduced. In addition, new medical treatments with vasoconstrictors or vasopressin V2 receptor antagonists have been proposed. Both the benefits and risks of these old and new modalities have been extensively studied in relation to the pathophysiological changes in ascites formation. Although the best solution for refractory ascites is to eliminate hepatic failure either by LT or by causal treatment, the selection of the best palliative therapy for individual patients is of utmost importance, aiming at achieving the longest possible, comfortable life. This review briefly summarizes the changing landscape of variable treatment modalities for cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites, aiming at clarifying their possibilities and limitations. Evolving issues with regard to the impact of gut-derived systemic and local infection on the clinical course of cirrhotic patients have paved the way for the development of a new gut microbiome-based therapeutics. Thus, it should be further investigated whether the early therapeutic approach to gut dysbiosis provides a better solution for the management of cirrhotic ascites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Fukui
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan,
| | - Hideto Kawaratani
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan,
| | - Kosuke Kaji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan,
| | - Hiroaki Takaya
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan,
| | - Hitoshi Yoshiji
- Department of Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan,
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