Transient Elastography and Fibroscan: Stethoscope of a Hepatologist in Today's World

Vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) has become a cornerstone in the noninvasive assessment of liver disease across etiologies. This review highlights its role in risk stratification and longitudinal monitoring, emphasizing its value in both clinical practice and research settings, including community and academic hepatology.

VCTE reliably assesses liver fibrosis severity and clinically significant portal hypertension and enables ongoing monitoring of therapeutic response. It also predicts liver-related events and mortality. Recognizing its limitations and potential confounders is essential to ensure diagnostic accuracy, and its performance can be further enhanced by integrating clinical and biochemical variables.

Despite inherent limitations, improvements in probe design, standardized protocols, and composite algorithms have expanded its clinical utility. The 2022 Baveno consensus established clear guidance for using VCTE to identify clinically significant portal hypertension, ultimately aiming to prevent first decompensation and improve patient outcomes.