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Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy
07:10

Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy

Published on: June 18, 2020

Hepatic venous pressure gradient determination in patients with hepatitis C virus-related and alcoholic cirrhosis

Lia Bellis1, Roberto Castellacci, Fabrizio Montagnese

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, Genzano Hospital E. De Santis, Rome, Italy.

European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
|September 23, 2003
PubMed

Insights

The severity of portal hypertension in cirrhosis is similar for both hepatitis C virus (HCV) and alcoholic causes. This suggests management strategies for portal hypertension are applicable regardless of cirrhosis etiology.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Limited data exist on portal hypertension in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis.
  • Most studies focus on alcoholic cirrhosis, leaving a gap in understanding viral cirrhosis.
  • Comparing portal hypertension severity between HCV and alcoholic cirrhosis is crucial for treatment guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the severity of portal hypertension in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis versus alcoholic cirrhosis.
  • To investigate the correlation between cirrhosis etiology and the degree of portal hypertension.
  • To assess the applicability of current portal hypertension management strategies to viral cirrhosis.

Main Methods:

  • Fifty-nine cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension were studied.
  • Patients were categorized into HCV-related (34) and alcoholic (25) cirrhosis groups.
  • Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) was measured via right hepatic vein catheterization.

Main Results:

  • HVPG did not significantly differ between HCV-related and alcoholic cirrhosis groups (19.4 vs 18.5 mmHg, P=0.51).
  • Esophageal/gastric varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy severity did not correlate with cirrhosis etiology.
  • HCV patients had lower bleeding prevalence despite similar varices and HVPG levels compared to alcoholic patients.

Conclusions:

  • The degree of portal hypertension in cirrhosis is independent of its cause (HCV vs. alcohol).
  • Current management guidelines for portal hypertension, often based on alcoholic cirrhosis, are likely applicable to viral cirrhosis.
  • This finding supports consistent treatment approaches for portal hypertension across different cirrhosis etiologies.
Abstract

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