Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis - Systematic Review.

Hypercholesterolemia is a common finding in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and is a well-defined risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, studies have been mixed on whether PBC patients do, in fact, have higher cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study is to review the current literature and provide an evidence-based assessment of cardiovascular risk in PBC patients.

Bariatric Surgery and Liver Transplantation.

Obesity is an important public health and medical concern in the United States. The rate of obesity has steadily risen for the past several decades. Obesity is associated with the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which is one of the leading indications for liver transplantation.

Treatment of primary biliary cholangitis ursodeoxycholic acid non-responders: A systematic review.

Background: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), formerly known as primary biliary cirrhosis, is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by an immune mediated destruction of intrahepatic bile ducts. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been the primary medication for the treatment of PBC, resulting in improved liver tests, resolution of symptoms and increased transplant free survival. However, not all patients respond to UDCA.

Liver Transplantation and Bariatric Surgery: Best Approach.

Obesity has become increasingly prevalent, and the number of obese patients in need of liver transplant is expected to continue to increase. In addition, liver disease due to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is expected to become the leading cause of liver transplantation in the near future. However, obesity remains a relative contraindication in liver transplant.

A Rare Case of Digital Ischemia and Gangrene in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis with Review of the Literature.

This paper describes one patient with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody- (ANCA-) associated vasculitis who initially presented with multiple ischemic fingers and toes. On further evaluation, the patient was also found to have pulmonary-renal involvement and episcleritis. The diagnosis was supported with a positive cANCA (anti-proteinase 3) and a bronchoscopy consistent with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.

Spotlight on grazoprevir-elbasvir once-daily combination and its potential in the treatment of hepatitis C.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of health care utilization in the USA. Incidence of cirrhosis from HCV is expected to rise in the near future, further increasing this burden. There is a high medical need for effective, tolerable, safe, all-oral, short-duration therapy.

Evaluation and Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy: Current Status and Future Directions.

Hepatic encephalopathy is a spectrum of neurocognitive manifestations often seen in patients with liver injury or rarely in patients with portosystemic shunting without liver injury. It can be divided into minimal (covert) hepatic encephalopathy and overt hepatic encephalopathy, depending on the severity. Patients with hepatic encephalopathy have compromised clinical outcomes, decreased quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization, often resulting in a heavy financial and personal burden on caregivers.

Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Liver Transplant Recipients.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of liver transplantation in adults. Although the recurrence of HCV infection after liver transplantation is nearly universal, the recent advances in direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents have revolutionized the management of HCV infection in the posttransplant setting. A number of these agents have been evaluated in recent clinical trials and have shown high sustained virologic response rates, shorter durations of treatment, and decreased adverse events when compared with the previous treatment of pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

Timing of Hepatitis C Antiviral Therapy in Liver Transplant Recipients With Direct-acting Agents.

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is a substantial health care burden worldwide and is the leading cause of liver transplant in adults. In patients with detectable hepatitis C virus RNA at the time of transplant, interferon-based therapies for hepatitis C virus were poorly tolerated with low virologic response rates. Although reinfection after transplant is inevitable, the recent advent of direct-acting antiviral agents has revolutionized treatment of hepatitis C virus in the pre- and posttransplant settings.

Age-related Morbidity and Mortality After Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts.

Aim: To compare age-related morbidity and mortality after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS).

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent TIPS at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center between 2008 to 2014. Elderly patients (65 y and older) were matched with nonelderly patients (controls, below 65 y) by model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (±3), indication for TIPS (refractory ascites vs.

Alcoholic hepatitis: The pivotal role of Kupffer cells.

Kupffer cells play a central role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic hepatitis (AH). It is believed that alcohol increases the gut permeability that results in raised levels of serum endotoxins containing lipopolysaccharides (LPS). LPS binds to LPS-binding proteins and presents it to a membrane glycoprotein called CD14, which then activates Kupffer cells via a receptor called toll-like receptor 4.

Probiotics are helpful in hepatic encephalopathy: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a major complication of cirrhosis and is associated with decreased survival and increased health care utilization.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in the management minimal hepatic encephalopathy HE (MHE) and overt HE (OHE) in comparison to no treatment/placebo and lactulose.

Methods: The main outcomes measured were mortality, improvement in MHE, progression to OHE in patients with MHE and hospitalization.

Multiple pancreatic pseudocysts treated with endoscopic transpapillary drainage.

Management of a solitary pancreatic pseudocyst with endoscopic transpapillary stent drainage is a well recognized treatment modality. Endoscopic options are however limited in the presence of multiple pancreatic pseudocysts. Conventionally surgery has been the mainstay of treatment in this situation.