Predicting Hepatic Decompensation in Cirrhotic Patients

Patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient measurements of <10 mm Hg were at low risk for developing decompensation within 4 years.

In patients with cirrhosis, clinical decompensation (manifested by ascites, encephalopathy, or variceal hemorrhage) substantially lowers the survival rate. Therefore, identifying variables that predict clinical decompensation in compensated cirrhotic patients would be useful in estimating mortality risk. Because most complications of cirrhosis are linked to portal hypertension, hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurements could be useful in identifying predictors of clinical decompensation.

Researchers conducted a nested cohort study of 213 patients within an international randomized trial that was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a nonselective β-blocker (timolol) for preventing development of gastroesophageal varices. Patients …

Reviewing Author

Atif Zaman, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Atif Zaman, MD, MPH

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose