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Semmler G, Alonso López S, Pons M, Lens S, Dajti E, Griemsmann M, Zanetto A, Burghart L, Hametner-Schreil S, Hartl L, Manzano M, Rodriguez-Tajes S, Zanaga P, Schwarz M, Luisa Gutierrez M, Jachs M, Pocurull A, Polo B, Ecker D, Mateos B, Izquierdo S, Real Y, Ahumada A, Josef Maria Bauer D, Benjamin Mauz J, Casanova-Cabral M, Gschwantler M, Paolo Russo F, Azzaroli F, Maasoumy B, Reiberger T, Forns X, Genesca J, Bañares R, Mandorfer M. Post-treatment LSM rather than change during treatment predicts decompensation in patients with cACLD after HCV cure. J Hepatol 2024:S0168-8278(24)00198-3. [PMID: 38521170 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Baveno VII has defined a clinically significant (i.e., prognostically meaningful) liver stiffness measurement (LSM)-decrease in cACLD by ≥20% associated with a final LSM<20 kPa, or any decrease to <10 kPa. However, these rules have not yet been validated against direct clinical endpoints. METHODS We retrospectively analysed cACLD patients (LSM≥10 kPa) with paired liver stiffness measurement (LSM) before (BL) and after (FU) HCV-cure by interferon-free therapies from 15 European centers. The cumulative incidence of hepatic decompensation was compared according to these criteria, considering hepatocellular carcinoma and non-liver-related death as competing risks. RESULTS 2335 patients followed for a median of 6 years were analysed. Median BL-LSM was 16.6 kPa with 37.1% having ≥20 kPa. After HCV-cure, FU-LSM decreased to a median of 10.9 kPa (<10 kPa: 1002 [42.9%], ≥20 kPa: 465 [19.9%]) translating into a median LSM-change of -5.3 (-8.8-[-2.4])kPa corresponding to -33.9 (-48.0-[-15.9])%. Patients achieving a clinically significant decrease (65.4%) had a significantly lower risk of hepatic decompensation (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR]: 0.12 [95%CI: 0.04-0.35], p<0.001). However, these risk differences were primarily driven by a negligible risk in patients with FU-LSM <10 kPa (5y-cumulative incidence: 0.3%) compared to a high risk in patients with FU-LSM ≥20 kPa (16.6%). Patients with FU-LSM 10-19.9 kPa (37.4%) also had a low risk of hepatic decompensation (5y-cumulative incidence: 1.7%), and importantly, the risk of hepatic decompensation did not differ between those with/without an LSM-decrease ≥20% (p=0.550). CONCLUSIONS FU-LSM is key for risk stratification after HCV-cure and should guide clinical decision-making. LSM dynamics do not hold significant prognostic information in patients with FU-LSM 10-19.9 kPa, and thus, their consideration is not of sufficient incremental value in the specific context of HCV-cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sonia Alonso López
- Liver Unit, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; Instituto De Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain; Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Monica Pons
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sabela Lens
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elton Dajti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Bologna, Italy
| | - Marie Griemsmann
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alberto Zanetto
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Lukas Burghart
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Internal Medicine IV, Klinik Ottakring, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Lukas Hartl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marisa Manzano
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitario 12 De Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Rodriguez-Tajes
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paola Zanaga
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Michael Schwarz
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Internal Medicine IV, Klinik Ottakring, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Mathias Jachs
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Pocurull
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Benjamín Polo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jimenez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dominik Ecker
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Ordensklinikum Linz Barmherzige Schwestern, Linz, Austria
| | - Beatriz Mateos
- Liver Unit, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Izquierdo
- Gastroenterology Unit, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Yolanda Real
- Gastroenterology Unit, Hospital Universitario La Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adriana Ahumada
- Liver Unit, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Josef Maria Bauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Internal Medicine IV, Klinik Ottakring, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jim Benjamin Mauz
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Oncology, and Gastroenterology, Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesco Azzaroli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER), Bologna, Italy
| | - Benjamin Maasoumy
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Xavier Forns
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Genesca
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Bañares
- Liver Unit, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; Instituto De Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain; Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Hartl L, Simbrunner B, Jachs M, Wolf P, Bauer DJM, Scheiner B, Balcar L, Semmler G, Schwarz M, Marculescu R, Dannenberg V, Trauner M, Mandorfer M, Reiberger T. Lower free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels in cirrhosis are linked to systemic inflammation, higher risk of acute-on-chronic liver failure, and mortality. JHEP Rep 2024; 6:100954. [PMID: 38125301 PMCID: PMC10733101 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) may affect thyroid hormone homeostasis. We aimed to analyze the pituitary-thyroid axis in ACLD and the prognostic value of free triiodothyronine (fT3). Methods Patients with ACLD (liver stiffness measurement [LSM] ≥10 kPa) undergoing hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement between June 2009 and September 2022 and available fT3 levels were included. Clinical stages of ACLD were defined as follows: probable ACLD (pACLD; LSM ≥10 kPa and HVPG ≤5 mmHg), S0 (mild portal hypertension [PH]; HVPG 6-9 mmHg), S1 (clinically significant PH), S2 (clinically significant PH with varices), S3 (past variceal bleeding), S4 (past/current non-bleeding hepatic decompensation), and S5 (further decompensation). Results Among 297 patients with ACLD, 129 were compensated (pACLD, n = 10; S0, n = 33; S1, n = 42; S2, n = 44), whereas 168 were decompensated (S3, n = 12; S4, n = 97; S5, n = 59). Median levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) numerically increased with progressive ACLD stage (from 1.2 μIU/ml [pACLD] to 1.5 μIU/ml [S5]; p = 0.152), whereas fT3 decreased (from 3.2 pg/ml [pACLD] to 2.5 pg/ml [S5]; p <0.001). Free thyroxin levels remained unchanged (p = 0.338). TSH (aB 0.45; p = 0.046) and fT3 (aB -0.17; p = 0.048) were independently associated with systemic C-reactive protein levels. Lower fT3 was linked to higher risk of (further) decompensation (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio [asHR] 0.60; 95% CI 0.37-0.97; p = 0.037), acute-on-chronic liver failure (asHR 0.19; 95% CI 0.08-0.49; p <0.001) and liver-related death (asHR 0.14; 95% CI 0.04-0.51; p = 0.003). Conclusions Increasing TSH and declining fT3 levels are observed with progressive ACLD stages. The association of TSH and fT3 with systemic inflammation suggests a liver disease-associated non-thyroidal illness syndrome. Lower fT3 levels in patients with ACLD indicate increased risk for decompensation, acute-on-chronic liver failure, and liver-related death. Impact and Implications In a large well-characterized cohort of patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD), we found a decline of free triiodothyronine (fT3) throughout the clinical stages of ACLD, paralleled by a numerical increase of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This suggests a progressive development of a non-thyroidal illness syndrome in association with ACLD severity. Importantly, C-reactive protein independently correlated with TSH and fT3, linking thyroid dysbalance in ACLD to systemic inflammation. Lower fT3 indicated an increased risk for subsequent development of hepatic decompensation, acute-on-chronic liver failure, and liver-related death. Clinical trial number Vienna Cirrhosis Study (VICIS; NCT: NCT03267615).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Hartl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Jachs
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Wolf
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Josef Maria Bauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lorenz Balcar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Schwarz
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rodrig Marculescu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Varius Dannenberg
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Semmler G, Yang Z, Fritz L, Köck F, Hofer BS, Balcar L, Hartl L, Jachs M, Stopfer K, Schedlbauer A, Neumayer D, Maurer J, Müllner-Bucsics T, Simbrunner B, Scheiner B, Trauner M, Mandorfer M, Reiberger T, Bauer DJM. Dynamics in Liver Stiffness Measurements Predict Outcomes in Advanced Chronic Liver Disease. Gastroenterology 2023; 165:1041-1052. [PMID: 37442301 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2023.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Liver stiffness measurements (LSMs) provide an opportunity to monitor liver disease progression and regression noninvasively. We aimed to determine the prognostic relevance of LSM dynamics over time for liver-related events and death in patients with chronic liver disease. METHODS Patients with chronic liver disease undergoing 2 or more reliable LSMs at least 180 days apart were included in this retrospective cohort study and stratified at baseline (BL) as nonadvanced chronic liver disease (non-ACLD, BL-LSM < 10 kPa), compensated ACLD (cACLD; BL-LSM ≥ 10 kPa), and decompensated ACLD. Data on all consecutive LSMs and clinical outcomes were collected. RESULTS There were 2508 patients with 8561 reliable LSMs (3 per patient; interquartile range, 2-4) included: 1647 (65.7%) with non-ACLD, 757 (30.2%) with cACLD, and 104 (4.1%) with decompensated ACLD. Seven non-ACLD patients (0.4%) and 83 patients with cACLD (10.9%) developed hepatic decompensation (median follow-up, 71 months). A 20% increase in LSM at any time was associated with an approximately 50% increased risk of hepatic decompensation (hazard ratio, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.41-1.79; P < .001) and liver-related death (hazard ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.28-1.68; P < .001) in patients with cACLD. LSM dynamics yielded a high accuracy to predict hepatic decompensation in the following 12 months (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve = 0.933). The performance of LSM dynamics was numerically better than dynamics in Fibrosis-4 score (0.873), Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (0.835), and single time-point LSM (BL-LSM: 0.846; second LSM: 0.880). Any LSM decrease to <20 kPa identified patients with cACLD with a substantially lower risk of hepatic decompensation (hazard ratio, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.07-0.24). If reliable, LSM also confers prognostic information in decompensated ACLD. CONCLUSIONS Repeating LSM enables an individual and updated risk assessment for decompensation and liver-related mortality in ACLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zhenwei Yang
- Department of Biostatistics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Laurenz Fritz
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fiona Köck
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Silvester Hofer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian-Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lorenz Balcar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Hartl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Jachs
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Stopfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Schedlbauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Daniela Neumayer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jurij Maurer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresa Müllner-Bucsics
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian-Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian-Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - David Josef Maria Bauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Internal Medicine IV, Klinik Ottakring, Vienna, Austria
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Hartl L, Simbrunner B, Jachs M, Wolf P, Bauer DJM, Scheiner B, Balcar L, Semmler G, Schwarz M, Marculescu R, Trauner M, Mandorfer M, Reiberger T. An impaired pituitary-adrenal signalling axis in stable cirrhosis is linked to worse prognosis. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100789. [PMID: 37484210 PMCID: PMC10362733 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Inadequate adrenal function has been described in patients with cirrhosis. We investigated (i) the pituitary-adrenal axis at different clinical stages and (ii) the clinical impact of decreased serum cortisol levels in stable patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). Methods We included 137 outpatients with ACLD undergoing hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement in the prospective VICIS study (NCT03267615). Patients were stratified into six clinical stages: S0: subclinical portal hypertension (PH) (HVPG 6-9 mmHg), S1: clinically significant PH (HVPG ≥10 mmHg) without varices, S2: presence of varices, S3: previous variceal bleeding, S4: previous non-bleeding decompensation, and S5: further decompensation. Results Fifty-one patients had compensated ACLD (S0: n = 13; S1: n = 12; S2: n = 26), whereas 86 patients had decompensated ACLD (S3: n = 7; S4: n = 46; S5: n = 33). Serum total cortisol (t-Cort) showed a strong correlation with estimated serum free cortisol (f-Cort; Spearman's ρ: 0.889). With progressive clinical stage, median ACTH levels (from S0: 44.0 pg/ml to S5: 20.0 pg/ml; p = 0.006), t-Cort (from S0: 13.9 μg/dl to S5: 9.2 μg/dl; p = 0.091), and cortisol binding globulin (from S0: 49.3 μg/ml to S5: 38.9 μg/ml; p <0.001) decreased, whereas f-Cort (p = 0.474) remained unchanged. Lower t-Cort levels independently predicted bacterial infections (asHR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.04-1.19; p = 0.002), further decompensation (asHR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02-1.12; p = 0.008), acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF; asHR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.04-1.19; p = 0.002), and liver-related death (asHR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01-1.18; p = 0.045). Conclusions The pituitary-ACTH-adrenal-cortisol axis is progressively suppressed with increasing severity of cirrhosis. Lower t-Cort is an independent risk factor for bacterial infections, further decompensation of ACLF, and liver-related mortality-even in stable outpatients with cirrhosis. Clinical trial number Vienna Cirrhosis Study (VICIS; NCT: NCT03267615). Impact and Implications In a cohort of stable outpatients, we observed progressive suppression of the pituitary-adrenal axis with increasing clinical stage of advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). Increased levels of bile acids and systemic inflammation (assessed by interleukin-6 levels) could be involved in this suppression. Serum total cortisol (t-Cort) was strongly correlated with serum free cortisol (f-Cort) and lower t-Cort levels were independently associated with a higher risk of adverse clinical outcomes, including bacterial infections, further decompensation, acute-on-chronic liver failure, and liver-related death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Hartl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Jachs
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Wolf
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Josef Maria Bauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lorenz Balcar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Schwarz
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rodrig Marculescu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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5
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Hofer BS, Simbrunner B, Hartl L, Jachs M, Bauer DJM, Balcar L, Paternostro R, Schwabl P, Semmler G, Scheiner B, Staettermayer AF, Trauner M, Mandorfer M, Reiberger T. Alcohol Abstinence Improves Prognosis Across All Stages of Portal Hypertension in Alcohol-Related Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 21:2308-2317.e7. [PMID: 36481475 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Alcohol-related liver disease is a leading cause of liver-related mortality. The effect of alcohol abstinence on the natural history of alcohol-related cirrhosis across distinct stages of portal hypertension has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we assessed the clinical implications of abstinence in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis and clinically significant portal hypertension. METHODS Alcohol abstinence, hepatic decompensation, and mortality were assessed in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis who underwent a baseline hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement and were diagnosed with clinically significant portal hypertension (HVPG ≥10 mm Hg). RESULTS A total of 320 patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis (median age: 57 [interquartile range (IQR), 49.7-63.1] years; 75.6% male; 87.5% decompensated) and a median HVPG of 20 (IQR, 17-23) mm Hg were followed up for a median of 36 (IQR, 14-80) months. Overall, 241 (75.3%) patients remained abstinent, while 79 (24.7%) patients had active alcohol consumption. Alcohol abstinence was linked to a significantly reduced risk of hepatic decompensation (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.391; P < .001), as well as liver-related (aHR, 0.428; P < .001) and all-cause (aHR, 0.453; P < .001) mortality, after adjusting for baseline HVPG, MELD, and previous decompensation. Importantly, alcohol abstinence significantly reduced the cumulative incidence of hepatic decompensation in both groups with HVPG 10-19 mm Hg (P < .001) and HVPG ≥20 mm Hg (P = .002). The 3-year decompensation probability was 32.4% vs 60.0% in HVPG 10-19 mm Hg and 57.5% vs 82.6% in HVPG ≥20 mm Hg for abstinent patients vs active drinkers, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Alcohol abstinence improves prognosis across all stages of portal hypertension in alcohol-related cirrhosis, including in patients who have already progressed to high-risk portal hypertension. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Number: NCT03267615).
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Silvester Hofer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Hartl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Jachs
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Josef Maria Bauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lorenz Balcar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rafael Paternostro
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Schwabl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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6
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Lampichler K, Semmler G, Wöran K, Simbrunner B, Jachs M, Hartl L, Bauer DJM, Balcar L, Burghart L, Trauner M, Tamandl D, Ba-Ssalamah A, Mandorfer M, Reiberger T, Scheiner B, Scharitzer M. Imaging features facilitate diagnosis of porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder. Eur Radiol 2023; 33:1422-1432. [PMID: 36166087 PMCID: PMC9889423 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-022-09132-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD) is a recently defined vascular liver disease. Since diagnosis remains challenging, we aimed to evaluate radiological features that are distinct between PSVD and cirrhosis. METHODS Clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters (CT/MRI) of patients with histologically-confirmed PSVD vs. cirrhosis vs. non-cirrhotic parenchymal liver disease were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS Sixty-three PSVD, 155 cirrhosis, and 41 non-cirrhotic patients were included. As compared to cirrhosis, PSVD patients were younger and had lower HVPG, liver stiffness, and MELD. Routine clinical and imaging findings indicative of portal hypertension were similarly common. Intrahepatic portal tract abnormalities (49% vs. 15%; p < 0.001), FNH-like lesions (30% vs. 1%; p < 0.001), and abnormal liver morphology defined as peripheral parenchymal atrophy and compensatory hypertrophy of central segments (32% vs. 7%; p < 0.001) were significantly more common in PSVD patients. Hypertrophy of segment I (70% vs. 84%; p = 0.019), atrophy of segment IV (24% vs. 47%; p = 0.001), and nodular liver surface (22% vs. 89%; p < 0.001) were more common in patients with cirrhosis. In patients with gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI, we identified the distinct imaging feature of "periportal hyperintensity" in the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) in 42% of patients with PSVD (14/33) vs. 1% in cirrhosis (1/95) vs. 0% in non-cirrhotic controls (0/41); p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Diagnosis of PSVD must be considered in younger patients presenting with clinical features of portal hypertension, portal tract abnormalities, and FNH-like lesions on CT/MRI. 'Periportal hyperintensity' in the HBP of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI was identified as a specific radiological feature of PSVD. KEY POINTS • Cross-sectional imaging can provide essential information to identify patients with porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD). • Intrahepatic portal tract abnormalities, FNH-like lesions, and abnormal liver morphology are common in PSVD patients. • Periportal hyperintensity on the hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI seems to be specific for patients with PSVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Lampichler
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network (ERN) RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Wöran
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network (ERN) RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases, Vienna, Austria
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Jachs
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network (ERN) RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Hartl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network (ERN) RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Josef Maria Bauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network (ERN) RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lorenz Balcar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network (ERN) RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Burghart
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network (ERN) RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network (ERN) RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dietmar Tamandl
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ahmed Ba-Ssalamah
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network (ERN) RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network (ERN) RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases, Vienna, Austria.
- CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Rare Liver Disease (RALID) Center of the European Reference Network (ERN) RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martina Scharitzer
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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7
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Hartl L, Haslinger K, Angerer M, Semmler G, Schneeweiss-Gleixner M, Jachs M, Simbrunner B, Bauer DJM, Eigenbauer E, Strassl R, Breuer M, Kimberger O, Laxar D, Lampichler K, Halilbasic E, Stättermayer AF, Ba-Ssalamah A, Mandorfer M, Scheiner B, Reiberger T, Trauner M. Progressive cholestasis and associated sclerosing cholangitis are frequent complications of COVID-19 in patients with chronic liver disease. Hepatology 2022; 76:1563-1575. [PMID: 35596929 PMCID: PMC9347407 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cholestasis is associated with disease severity and worse outcome in COVID-19. Cases of secondary sclerosing cholangitis (SSC) after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have been described. APPROACH AND RESULTS Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 between 03/2020 and 07/2021 were included. Patients were stratified as having (i) no chronic liver disease (CLD), (ii) non-advanced CLD (non-ACLD), or (iii) advanced CLD (ACLD). Patients with CLD and non-COVID-19 pneumonia were matched to patients with CLD and COVID-19 as a control cohort. Liver chemistries before (Pre) and at first, second, and third blood withdrawal after SARS-CoV-2 infection (T1-T3) and at last available time point (last) were recorded. A total of 496 patients were included. In total, 13.1% (n = 65) had CLD (non-ACLD: 70.8%; ACLD: 29.2%); the predominant etiology was NAFLD/NASH (60.0%). COVID-19-related liver injury was more common among patients with CLD (24.6% vs. 10.6%; p = 0.001). After SARS-CoV-2 infection, patients with CLD exhibited progressive cholestasis with persistently increasing levels of alkaline phosphatase (Pre: 91.0 vs. T1: 121.0 vs. last: 175.0 U/L; p < 0.001) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (Pre: 95.0 vs. T1: 135.0 vs. last: 202.0 U/L; p = 0.001). A total of 23.1% of patients with CLD (n = 15/65) developed cholestatic liver failure (cholestasis plus bilirubin ≥6 mg/dl) during COVID-19, and 15.4% of patients (n = 10/65) developed SSC. SSC was significantly more frequent among patients with CLD and COVID-19 than in patients with CLD and non-COVID-19 pneumonia (p = 0.040). COVID-19-associated SSC occurred predominantly in patients with NAFLD/NASH and metabolic risk factors. A total of 26.3% (n = 5/19) of patients with ACLD experienced hepatic decompensation after SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS About 20% of patients with CLD develop progressive cholestasis after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with NAFLD/NASH and metabolic risk factors are at particular risk for developing cholestatic liver failure and/or SSC after COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Hartl
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Katharina Haslinger
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Martin Angerer
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | | | - Mathias Jachs
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver FibrosisMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - David Josef Maria Bauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Ernst Eigenbauer
- IT-Systems and CommunicationsMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Robert Strassl
- Division of Clinical VirologyDepartment of Laboratory MedicineMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Monika Breuer
- Division of Clinical VirologyDepartment of Laboratory MedicineMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Oliver Kimberger
- Department of AnaesthesiaIntensive Care Medicine and Pain MedicineMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Daniel Laxar
- Department of AnaesthesiaIntensive Care Medicine and Pain MedicineMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Katharina Lampichler
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Emina Halilbasic
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Albert Friedrich Stättermayer
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Ahmed Ba-Ssalamah
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabDivision of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver FibrosisMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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8
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Trebicka J, Gu W, de Ledinghen V, Aubé C, Krag A, Praktiknjo M, Castera L, Dumortier J, Bauer DJM, Friedrich-Rust M, Pol S, Grgurevic I, Zheng R, Francque S, Gottfriedovà H, Mustapic S, Sporea I, Berzigotti A, Uschner FE, Simbrunner B, Ronot M, Cassinotto C, Kjaergaard M, Andrade F, Schulz M, Semmler G, Drinkovic IT, Chang J, Brol MJ, Rautou PE, Vanwolleghem T, Strassburg CP, Boursier J, Ferstl PG, Rasmussen DN, Reiberger T, Vilgrain V, Guibal A, Guillaud O, Zeuzem S, Vassord C, Lu X, Vonghia L, Senkerikova R, Popescu A, Margini C, Wang W, Thiele M, Jansen C. Two-dimensional shear wave elastography predicts survival in advanced chronic liver disease. Gut 2022; 71:402-414. [PMID: 33479052 PMCID: PMC8761995 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-323419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) is a tool used to screen for significant fibrosis and portal hypertension. The aim of this retrospective multicentre study was to develop an easy tool using LSM for clinical outcomes in advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) patients. DESIGN This international multicentre cohort study included a derivation ACLD patient cohort with valid two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) results. Clinical and laboratory parameters at baseline and during follow-up were recorded. LSM by transient elastography (TE) was also recorded if available. The primary outcome was overall mortality. The secondary outcome was the development of first/further decompensation. RESULTS After screening 2148 patients (16 centres), 1827 patients (55 years, 62.4% men) were included in the 2D-SWE cohort, with median liver SWE (L-SWE) 11.8 kPa and a model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score of 8. Combination of MELD score and L-SWE predict independently of mortality (AUC 0.8). L-SWE cut-off at ≥20 kPa combined with MELD ≥10 could stratify the risk of mortality and first/further decompensation in ACLD patients. The 2-year mortality and decompensation rates were 36.9% and 61.8%, respectively, in the 305 (18.3%) high-risk patients (with L-SWE ≥20 kPa and MELD ≥10), while in the 944 (56.6%) low-risk patients, these were 1.1% and 3.5%, respectively. Importantly, this M10LS20 algorithm was validated by TE-based LSM and in an additional cohort of 119 patients with valid point shear SWE-LSM. CONCLUSION The M10LS20 algorithm allows risk stratification of patients with ACLD. Patients with L-SWE ≥20 kPa and MELD ≥10 should be followed closely and receive intensified care, while patients with low risk may be managed at longer intervals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonel Trebicka
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Frankfurt University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany .,European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Wenyi Gu
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Frankfurt University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany
| | | | | | - Aleksander Krag
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Laurent Castera
- Department of Radiology, Beaujon University Hospital, Clichy, France
| | - Jerome Dumortier
- Fédération des Spécialités Digestives, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France
| | - David Josef Maria Bauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Mireen Friedrich-Rust
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Frankfurt University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany
| | | | - Ivica Grgurevic
- University hospital Dubrava, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Rongqin Zheng
- Department of Ultrasound, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Sven Francque
- InflaMed Centre of Excellence, Translational Sciences in Inflammation and Immunology, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium,Department of Gastroenterology Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Halima Gottfriedovà
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sanda Mustapic
- University hospital Dubrava, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ioan Sporea
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Victor Babes Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | | | - Frank Erhard Uschner
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Frankfurt University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany
| | - Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Maxime Ronot
- Department of Radiology, Beaujon University Hospital, Clichy, France
| | | | - Maria Kjaergaard
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Filipe Andrade
- Department of Radiology, Beaujon University Hospital, Clichy, France
| | - Martin Schulz
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Frankfurt University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany
| | - Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Ida Tjesic Drinkovic
- University hospital Dubrava, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Maximilian Joseph Brol
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Frankfurt University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Vanwolleghem
- InflaMed Centre of Excellence, Translational Sciences in Inflammation and Immunology, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium,Department of Gastroenterology Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | - Philip Georg Ferstl
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Frankfurt University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Valerie Vilgrain
- Department of Radiology, Beaujon University Hospital, Clichy, France
| | - Aymeric Guibal
- Department of Radiology, Saint Jean Hospital, Perpignan, France
| | - Olivier Guillaud
- Fédération des Spécialités Digestives, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France
| | - Stefan Zeuzem
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Frankfurt University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany
| | | | - Xue Lu
- Department of Ultrasound, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Liver Disease Research, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Luisa Vonghia
- InflaMed Centre of Excellence, Translational Sciences in Inflammation and Immunology, Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium,Department of Gastroenterology Hepatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Renata Senkerikova
- Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alina Popescu
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Victor Babes Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | | | - Wenping Wang
- Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Maja Thiele
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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9
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Wöran K, Semmler G, Jachs M, Simbrunner B, Bauer DJM, Binter T, Pomej K, Stättermayer AF, Schwabl P, Bucsics T, Paternostro R, Lampichler K, Pinter M, Trauner M, Mandorfer M, Stift J, Reiberger T, Scheiner B. Clinical Course of Porto-Sinusoidal Vascular Disease Is Distinct From Idiopathic Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 20:e251-e266. [PMID: 33279774 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Porto-sinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD) was recently proposed as novel clinical entity characterized by typical histological changes with or without portal hypertension (PH) in the absence of cirrhosis. Thus, we aimed to describe clinical characteristics and the outcome of PSVD patients and to compare these to patients meeting traditional idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension (INCPH) criteria. METHODS Patients undergoing liver biopsy (baseline) ±hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement at the Vienna General Hospital between 2000-2019 were screened for PSVD and INCPH criteria. RESULTS 91 patients were diagnosed with PSVD of which 28 (30.8%) also fulfilled INCPH criteria (INCPH+/PSVD+). Specific histological and specific clinical PH signs were found in 72 (79.1%) and 54 (59.3%) patients, respectively. INCPH+/PSVD+ showed higher Child-Pugh-scores (7±2 vs 6±1 points; P = .002) and a higher prevalence of decompensation (57.1% vs 28.6%; P = .009) than INCPH-/PSVD+ patients. Importantly, hepatic decompensation after three years (3Y) occurred in 11.2% of PSVD patients with specific clinical signs of PH, while no decompensation occurred in patients with only specific histological or with unspecific clinical/histological signs (P = .002). When categorizing by INCPH definition, 3Y decompensation was 13.4% in INCPH+/PSVD+ and 3.8% in INCPH-/PSVD+ (P = .120). While overall mortality was similar in INCPH+/PSVD+ (n = 6; 21.4%) and INCPH-/PSVD+ (n = 10; 15.9%) patients (P = .558), liver-related mortality tended to be higher in INCPH+/PSVD+ (6.9%) than in INCPH-/PSVD+ (0%; P = .078). CONCLUSION Novel PSVD criteria facilitate diagnosis. Compared to INCPH, clinical course of PSVD patients is more favorable. Importantly, specific signs of PH including varices and collaterals are associated with hepatic decompensation and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Wöran
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Rare Liver Disease Center of the European Reference Network RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Jachs
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Rare Liver Disease Center of the European Reference Network RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Rare Liver Disease Center of the European Reference Network RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases, Vienna, Austria; CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Josef Maria Bauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Teresa Binter
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Pomej
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Albert Friedrich Stättermayer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Rare Liver Disease Center of the European Reference Network RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Schwabl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresa Bucsics
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rafael Paternostro
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Lampichler
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Pinter
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Rare Liver Disease Center of the European Reference Network RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Rare Liver Disease Center of the European Reference Network RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Rare Liver Disease Center of the European Reference Network RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Stift
- Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Rare Liver Disease Center of the European Reference Network RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases, Vienna, Austria; CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Rare Liver Disease Center of the European Reference Network RARE-LIVER, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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10
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Hartl L, Semmler G, Hofer BS, Schirwani N, Jachs M, Simbrunner B, Bauer DJM, Binter T, Pomej K, Pinter M, Trauner M, Mandorfer M, Reiberger T, Scheiner B. COVID-19-Related Downscaling of In-Hospital Liver Care Decreased Patient Satisfaction and Increased Liver-Related Mortality. Hepatol Commun 2021; 5:1660-1675. [PMID: 34222742 PMCID: PMC8239672 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic necessitated down-scaling of in-hospital care to prohibit the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2. We (1) assessed patient perceptions on quality of care by telesurvey (cohort 1) and written questionnaire (cohort 2), and (2) analyzed trends in elective and nonelective admissions before (December 2019 to February 2020) and during (March to May 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria. A total of 279 outpatients were recruited into cohort 1 and 138 patients into cohort 2. All admissions from December 2019 to May 2020 to the Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology at the Vienna General Hospital were analyzed. A total of 32.6% (n = 91 of 279) of cohort 1 and 72.5% (n = 95 of 131) of cohort 2 had telemedical contact, whereas 59.5% (n = 166 of 279) and 68.2% (n = 90 of 132) had face-to-face visits. A total of 24.1% (n = 32 of 133) needed acute medical help during health care restrictions; however, 57.3% (n = 51 of 89) reported that contacting their physician during COVID-19 was difficult or impossible. Patient-reported satisfaction with treatment decreased significantly during restrictions in cohort 1 (visual analog scale [VAS] 0-10: 9.0 ± 1.6 to 8.6 ± 2.2; P < 0.001) and insignificantly in cohort 2 (VAS 0-10: 8.9 ± 1.6 to 8.7 ± 2.1; P = 0.182). Despite fewer hospital admissions during COVID-19, the proportion of nonelective admissions (+6.3%) and intensive care unit admissions (+6.7%) increased. Patients with cirrhosis with nonelective admissions during COVID-19 had significantly higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) (25.5 [14.2] vs. 17.0 [interquartile range: 8.8]; P = 0.003) and ΔMELD (difference from last MELD: 3.9 ± 6.3 vs. 8.7 ± 6.4; P = 0.008), required immediate intensive care more frequently (26.7% vs. 5.6%; P = 0.034), and had significantly increased 30-day liver-related mortality (30.0% vs. 8.3%; P = 0.028). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic's effects on quality of liver care is evident from decreased patient satisfaction, hospitalization of sicker patients with advanced chronic liver disease, and increased liver-related mortality. Strategies for improved telemedical liver care and preemptive treatment of cirrhosis-related complications are needed to counteract the COVID-19-associated restrictions of in-hospital care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Hartl
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Benedikt Silvester Hofer
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver FibrosisMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Nawa Schirwani
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Mathias Jachs
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver FibrosisMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - David Josef Maria Bauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Teresa Binter
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Katharina Pomej
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Matthias Pinter
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver FibrosisMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyDepartment of Medicine IIIMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic LabMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
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11
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Jachs M, Hartl L, Schaufler D, Desbalmes C, Simbrunner B, Eigenbauer E, Bauer DJM, Paternostro R, Schwabl P, Scheiner B, Bucsics T, Stättermayer AF, Pinter M, Trauner M, Mandorfer M, Reiberger T. Amelioration of systemic inflammation in advanced chronic liver disease upon beta-blocker therapy translates into improved clinical outcomes. Gut 2021; 70:1758-1767. [PMID: 33199442 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2020-322712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic inflammation promotes the development of clinical events in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). We assessed whether (1) non-selective beta blocker (NSBB) treatment initiation impacts biomarkers of systemic inflammation and (2) whether these changes in systemic inflammation predict complications and mortality. DESIGN Biomarkers of systemic inflammation, that is, white blood cell count (WBC), C reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and procalcitonin (PCT) were determined at sequential hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurements without NSBB and under stable NSBB intake. The influence of NSBB-related changes in systemic inflammation on the risk of decompensation and liver-related death was analysed using competing risk regression. RESULTS Our study comprised 307 stable patients with ACLD (Child-A: 77 (25.1%), Child-B: 161 (52.4%), Child-C: 69 (22.5%), median HVPG: 20 (IQR 17-24) mm Hg) including 231 (75.2%) with decompensated disease.WBC significantly decreased upon NSBB therapy initiation (median: -2 (IQR -19;+13)%, p=0.011) in the overall cohort. NSBB-related reductions of WBC (Child-C: -16 (-30;+3)% vs Child-B: -2 (-16;+16)% vs Child-A: +3 (-7;+13)%, p<0.001) and of CRP (Child-C: -26 (-56,+8)% vs Child-B: -16 (-46;+13)% vs Child-A: ±0 (-33;+33)%, p<0.001) were more pronounced in advanced stages of cirrhosis. The NSBB-associated changes in WBC correlated with changes in CRP (Spearman's ρ=0.228, p<0.001), PCT (ρ=0.470, p=0.002) and IL-6 (ρ=0.501, p=0.001), but not with changes in HVPG (ρ=0.097, p=0.088).An NSBB-related decrease in systemic inflammation (ie, WBC reduction ≥15%) was achieved by n=91 (29.6%) patients and was found to be an independent protective factor of further decompensation (subdistribution HR, sHR: 0.694 (0.49-0.98), p=0.038) in decompensated patients and of liver-related mortality in the overall patient cohort (sHR: 0.561 (0.356-0.883), p=0.013). CONCLUSION NSBB therapy seems to exert systemic anti-inflammatory activity as evidenced by reductions of WBC and CRP levels. Interestingly, this effect was most pronounced in Child-C and independent of HVPG response. An NSBB-related WBC reduction by ≥15% was associated with a decreased risk of further decompensation and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Jachs
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Hartl
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dunja Schaufler
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christopher Desbalmes
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Simbrunner
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - David Josef Maria Bauer
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rafael Paternostro
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Schwabl
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresa Bucsics
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Matthias Pinter
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Internal Medicine III, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria .,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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12
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Hartl L, Jachs M, Desbalmes C, Schaufler D, Simbrunner B, Paternostro R, Schwabl P, Bauer DJM, Semmler G, Scheiner B, Bucsics T, Eigenbauer E, Marculescu R, Szekeres T, Peck-Radosavljevic M, Kastl S, Trauner M, Mandorfer M, Reiberger T. The differential activation of cardiovascular hormones across distinct stages of portal hypertension predicts clinical outcomes. Hepatol Int 2021; 15:1160-1173. [PMID: 34021479 PMCID: PMC8514393 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-021-10203-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background and aims The cardiovascular hormones renin/angiotensin/aldosterone (RAA), brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) are key regulators of systemic circulatory homeostasis in portal hypertension (PH). We assessed (i) the activation of renin, BNP and AVP across distinct stages of PH and (ii) whether activation of these hormones correlates with clinical outcomes. Methods Plasma levels of renin, proBNP and copeptin (AVP biomarker) were determined in 663 patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) undergoing hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement at the Vienna General Hospital between 11/2011 and 02/2019. We stratified for Child stage (A–C), HVPG (6–9 mmHg, 10–15 mmHg, ≥ 16 mmHg) and compensated vs. decompensated ACLD. Results With increasing PH, hyperdynamic state was indicated by higher heart rates (6–9 mmHg: median 71.0 [IQR 18.0] bpm, 10–15 mmHg: 76.0 [19.0] bpm, ≥ 16 mmHg: 80.0 [22.0] bpm; p < 0.001), lower mean arterial pressure (6–9 mmHg: 103.0 [13.5] mmHg, 10–15 mmHg: 101.0 [19.5] mmHg, ≥ 16 mmHg: 99.0 [21.0] mmHg; p = 0.032) and lower serum sodium (6–9 mmHg: 139.0 [3.0] mmol/L, 10–15 mmHg: 138.0 [4.0] mmol/L, ≥ 16 mmHg: 138.0 [5.0] mmol/L; p < 0.001). Across HVPG strata (6–9 mmHg vs. 10–15 mmHg vs ≥ 16 mmHg), median plasma levels of renin (21.0 [50.5] vs. 25.1 [70.9] vs. 65.4 [219.6] µIU/mL; p < 0.001), proBNP (86.1 [134.0] vs. 63.6 [118.0], vs. 132.2 [208.9] pg/mL; p = 0.002) and copeptin (7.8 [7.7] vs. 5.6 [8.0] vs. 10.7 [18.6] pmol/L; p = 0.024) increased with severity of PH. Elevated renin levels independently predicted first hepatic decompensation (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.69; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.07–2.68; p = 0.025) and mortality in compensated patients (aHR: 3.15; 95% CI 1.70–5.84; p < 0.001) and the overall cohort aHR: 1.42; 95% CI 1.01–2.01; p = 0.046). Elevated copeptin levels predicted mortality in decompensated patients (aHR: 5.77; 95% CI 1.27–26.33; p = 0.024) and in the overall cohort (aHR: 3.29; 95% CI 1.36–7.95; p = 0.008). ProBNP levels did not predict clinical outcomes. Conclusions The cardiovascular hormones renin, proBNP and AVP are activated with progression of ACLD and PH. Renin activation is a risk factor for hepatic decompensation and mortality, especially in compensated patients. Increased plasma copeptin is a risk factor for mortality, in particular in decompensated patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12072-021-10203-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Hartl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mathias Jachs
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christopher Desbalmes
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dunja Schaufler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benedikt Simbrunner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rafael Paternostro
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Schwabl
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Josef Maria Bauer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Semmler
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Scheiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresa Bucsics
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ernst Eigenbauer
- IT-Systems and Communications, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rodrig Marculescu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Szekeres
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Peck-Radosavljevic
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology (IMuG), Hepatology, Endocrinology, Rheumatology and Nephrology, Central Emergency Medicine (ZAE), Klinikum Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Klagenfurt, Austria
| | - Stefan Kastl
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mattias Mandorfer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria. .,Vienna Hepatic Hemodynamic Lab, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. .,Christian Doppler Lab for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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