Journal of hepatology
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Journal of hepatology · Feb 2013
Liver transplantation for HBV-related cirrhosis in Europe: an ELTR study on evolution and outcomes.
HBV-related chronic liver disease is one of the most common indications for liver transplantation (LT) in Europe. The ELTR database was used to evaluate outcomes and evolution over 20 years (01/1988 and 12/2010). ⋯ Outcomes of LT for HBV have improved in recent years, with disease recurrence being no longer a significant cause of death/graft loss. HBV-DNA at the time of LT seems to influence survival only in HBV/HCC patients.
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Journal of hepatology · Nov 2012
Comparative StudyRegular coffee but not espresso drinking is protective against fibrosis in a cohort mainly composed of morbidly obese European women with NAFLD undergoing bariatric surgery.
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of coffee and other caffeinated drinks on liver fibrosis of severely obese European patients. ⋯ Consumption of regular coffee but not espresso is an independent protective factor for liver fibrosis in severely obese European patients.
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Journal of hepatology · Nov 2012
Comparative StudyRecurrence of hepatocellular cancer after liver transplantation: the role of primary resection and salvage transplantation in East and West.
Greater tumor aggressiveness and different management modalities of hepatocellular cancer (HCC) before liver transplantation (LT) may explain the higher recurrence rates reported in Asia. This study investigates the prognostic factors for HCC recurrence in a Western and an Eastern HCC patient cohort in order to analyze the respective roles of tumor- and management-related factors on the incidence of post-LT HCC recurrence. ⋯ LR followed by salvage "for HCC recurrence" LT represents the main reason for a higher HCC recurrence rate in the Hong Kong patients, but not LR followed by salvage "for liver failure" LT in the Roman group. This approach towards HCC before LT may not be universally applicable. The precise patient background must be taken into account in order to identify the best pre-LT strategy.
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In acute liver failure (ALF), prothrombin time (PT) and its derivative prothrombin time ratio (PTR) are elevated, and are considered predictors of increased bleeding risk. We aimed at determining whether increased PT/PTR reflects the haemostatic potential and bleeding risk in ALF patients. ⋯ In ALF, despite grossly deranged PT in all patients, estimation of bleeding risk suggests that the coagulation disturbance in ALF patients is complex and heterogeneous for which an individualised approach is required.
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Journal of hepatology · Oct 2012
The role of CX₃CL1/CX₃CR1 in pulmonary angiogenesis and intravascular monocyte accumulation in rat experimental hepatopulmonary syndrome.
Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS), classically attributed to intrapulmonary vascular dilatation, occurs in 15-30% of cirrhotics and causes hypoxemia and increases mortality. In experimental HPS after common bile duct ligation (CBDL), monocytes adhere in the lung vasculature and produce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and angiogenesis ensues and contribute to abnormal gas exchange. However, the mechanisms for these events are unknown. The chemokine fractalkine (CX(3)CL1) can directly mediate monocyte adhesion and activate VEGF-A and angiogenesis via its receptor CX(3)CR1 on monocytes and endothelium during inflammatory angiogenesis. We explored whether pulmonary CX(3)CL1/CX(3)CR1 alterations occur after CBDL and influence pulmonary angiogenesis and HPS. ⋯ Circulating CX(3)CL1 levels and pulmonary CX(3)CL1/CX(3)CR1 expression and signaling increase after CBDL and contribute to pulmonary intravascular monocyte accumulation, angiogenesis and development of experimental HPS.