Gastroen Clin Biol
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Historical Article
Frederic Chopin and Michael Jackson: what could they have in common?
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Case Reports
Long-term survival after portal vein arterialization for portal vein thrombosis in orthotopic liver transplantation.
Portal vein thrombosis is a relatively common finding during liver transplantation. The management of portal vein thrombosis during liver transplantation is technically demanding and ensures adequate portal flow to the liver graft. Eversion thromboendovenectomy and bypass using a patent splanchnic vein and cavoportal hemitransposition are the most often used procedures to treat portal vein thrombosis. ⋯ With a 6-year follow-up, there are no symptoms related to portal hypertension, liver function is normal. However, an aneurismal dilatation of the portal branches has progressively developed. Calibrated portal vein arterialization is a possible option for portal vein thrombosis in liver transplantation, allowing long-term patient and graft survival.
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The past 30 years have been witnessing major progress in the knowledge and management of liver diseases. Approximately 29 million people in European Union suffer from chronic liver disease. ⋯ The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) has launched in 2006 an ambitious public policy and communication action in order to get recognition of liver diseases as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Europe and push for appropriate measures. The future of hepatology as a specialty will depend on the success of this initiative.
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Pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases depends on the interaction between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors leading to a deregulated immune intestinal response resulting in bowel lesions. Epidemiologic variations of inflammatory bowel diseases with time (incidence, prevalence) and space suggest a role for risk environmental factors, but so far only smoking habits and appendectomy have been identified as influencing the risk of occurrence and the course of the diseases. ⋯ Thus, new hypothesis include a key role of mucosal human microbiota which could be partly influenced by environmental factors generated by modern life. The improvement of life hygiene, the change of food composition and habits, the industrial pollution in developed countries, may influence, directly or by the way of modifying intestinal human microbiota, inflammatory bowel diseases risk occurrence.
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Hepatopulmonary syndrome is characterized by the presence of portal hypertension with or without cirrhosis, an increased alveolar-arterial oxygen partial pressure difference greater than or equal to 15 mm Hg, and dilated pulmonary capillaries. Hepatopulmonary syndrome is found in up to 20% of patients with cirrhosis and should be considered in any patient who develops dyspnea or hypoxemia. Contrast echocardiography is enough to make the diagnosis of hepatopulmonary syndrome. ⋯ Hypoxemic patients must be controlled regularly to optimise the timing of liver transplantation. Indeed, a preoperative PaO(2) of less than or equal to 50 mm Hg alone or in combination with an isotopic shunt fraction greater than or equal to 20% are the strongest predictors of postoperative mortality. There are currently no effective medical therapies for hepatopulmonary syndrome but garlic powder and iloprost inhalation demonstrate clinical improvements in the pre- and in the post-transplant period.