Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; Liver Transplantation ; Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic

Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; etiology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Liver Transplantation ; Postoperative Period

OBJECTIVETo determine the levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and evaluate their relationships with cardiac structure and function and liver function in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODSFifty patients with cirrhosis underwent two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography. The cirrhotic patients were divided into groups according to Child-Pugh score:Child-Pugh class A, n=15; Child-Pugh class B, n=20; Child-Pugh class C, n=15. Cardiac dimensions and left and right ventricular functions were evaluated. In addition, the plasma NT-proBNP was detected in the 50 cirrhotic patients and 11 healthy controls.

RESULTSThe levels of plasma NT-proBNP was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in healthy controls (240.15+/-80.87 pg/mL vs.55.86+/-20.13 pg/mL, P=0.000).The Child-Pugh class A, B and C groups showed no differences for left ventricular diameter, right ventricular diameter, septal thickness, left ventricular wall thickness, E wave, A wave, aortic annulus diameter, and the value of E/A.However, the left atrial diameter was significantly lower in the A group than in the C group (29.83+/-3.76 mm vs.35.08+/-3.68 mm, P=0.015) and in the B group than in the C group (31.78+/-4.05 mm vs.35.08+/-3.68 mm, P=0.000); there was no significant difference between the A and B groups. The plasma NT-proBNP was significantly lower in the A group than the C group (189.20+/-20.25 pg/mL vs.300.13+/-34.96 pg/mL, P=0.000) and in the B group than in the C group (202.34+/-31.20 pg/mL vs.300.13+/-34.96 pg/mL, P=0.000); there was no significant difference between the A and B groups (P=0.302).The NT-proBNP level was positively correlated with the left atrial diameter and the left ventricular wall thickness (r=0.540, P=0.000 andr=0.309, P=0.029 respectively).In addition, the NT-proBNP showed correlation with Child-Turcotte-Pugh score (r=0.454, P=0.001), albumin level (r=-0.376, P=0.007) and total bilirubin level (r=0.283, P=0.047).

CONCLUSIONs Increased levels of plasma NT-proBNP are related to disease severity in patients with cirrhosis.Furthermore, cardiac dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis may be related to increased plasma levels of NT-proBNP.

Heart Diseases ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; physiopathology ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood

No abstract available.
Adult ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type II/*complications ; Human ; Liver Cirrhosis/*complications/physiopathology

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gallbladder ; physiopathology ; Gallbladder Emptying ; physiology ; Gallstones ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

The lymphatic system is part of the circulatory system and plays a key role in normal vascular function. Its failure plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of various diseases including liver diseases. Lymphangiogenesis (the growth of lymphatic vessels) and changes in the properties of lymphatic vessels are associated with pathogenesis of tumor metastases, ascites formation, liver fibrosis/cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Despite its significant role in liver diseases and its importance as a potential therapeutic target for those diseases, the lymphatic vascular system of the liver is poorly understood. Therefore, how the lymphatic vascular system in general and lymphangiogenesis in particular are mechanistically related to the pathogenesis and maintenance of liver diseases are largely unknown. This article summarizes: 1) the lymphatic vascular system; 2) its role in liver tumors, liver fibrosis/cirrhosis and portal hypertension; and 3) its role in ascites formation.
Ascites/*etiology ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal/complications/pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis/complications/pathology ; Liver Diseases/complications/*pathology ; Liver Neoplasms/complications/pathology ; Lymphangiogenesis ; Lymphatic Vessels/metabolism/physiopathology

Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma is extremely rare, and the exact pathogenesis leading to this remarkable phenomenon remains unclear. We describe a case of spontaneous regression of an incidentally discovered hepatocellular carcinoma in a 63-year-old man with hepatitis C cirrhosis. The regression followed a series of events, in particular, an upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Ischaemic insult may be a major pathway leading to tumour regression. As limited data is available in the literature, knowledge and recognition of this rare event will have implications for patient management and may alter treatment. Further, data may be useful to assess if these patients have an altered prognosis with improved survival.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood supply ; complications ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Incidental Findings ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood supply ; complications ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; etiology ; therapy ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; complications ; therapy ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; therapy ; Portal Vein ; physiopathology

According to the increasing need for accurate staging of hepatic fibrosis, the ultrasound (US) elastography techniques have evolved significantly over the past two decades. Currently, US elastography is increasingly used in clinical practice. Previously published studies have demonstrated the excellent diagnostic performance of US elastography for the detection and staging of liver fibrosis. Although US elastography may seem easy to perform and interpret, there are many technical and clinical factors which can affect the results of US elastography. Therefore, clinicians who are involved with US elastography should be aware of these factors. The purpose of this article is to present a brief overview of US techniques with the relevant technology, the clinical indications, diagnostic performance, and technical and biological factors which should be considered in order to avoid misinterpretation of US elastography results.
Disease Progression ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques/instrumentation/*methods ; Fatty Liver/complications/diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal/complications ; Liver/*diagnostic imaging/physiopathology ; Liver Cirrhosis/diagnostic imaging/pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) for hepatic resection under hepatic blood inflow occlusion (HBIO) in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with cirrhosis and its possible mechanism.

METHODS29 consecutive patients resectable HCC were randomized into two groups. IPC group: before HBIO, IPC with 5 min of ischemia and 5 min of reperfusion was given; control group: simple HBIO. The liver function, hepatic caspase-3 activity, and apoptotic cell were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe AST, ALT levels of POD 1, POD 3 and POD 7 in the IPC group were significantly higher than those of the control group, respectively (t = 4.238, P < 0.05). The TBIL levels of POD 3 and POD 7 in the IPC group were significantly higher than those of the control group, respectively (t = 2.296, P < 0.05). The ALB of POD 1 in the IPC group was higher than in the control group (t = 2.029, P > 0.05). After 1 h of reperfusion, the hepatic caspase-3 activity and apoptotic sinusoidal endothelial cell were significantly higher than those of in the control group (t = 2.349, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIPC has the a protective effect in hepatic resection under HBIO in HCC patients with cirrhosis. Its mechanism is that sinusoidal endothelial cell apoptosis is inhibited by inhibiting caspase-3 activity.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; complications ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Caspase 3 ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Liver Function Tests ; Liver Neoplasms ; complications ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged