Combination of carvedilol with variceal band ligation in prevention of first variceal bleed in Child-Turcotte-Pugh B and C cirrhosis with high-risk oesophageal varices: the 'CAVARLY TRIAL'.

Objectives: Beta-blockers and endoscopic variceal band ligation (VBL) have been preferred therapies for primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding. However, the choice of therapy in patients with advanced liver disease with high-risk varices is not clear. A comparison of these therapies alone or in combination to prevent the first variceal bleed in advanced cirrhosis patients was carried out.

Predictors and Outcomes of Post-transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Liver Failure in Patients with Cirrhosis.

Background: Post-transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) liver failure (PTLF) is a serious complication of TIPS procedure with poor patient prognosis. This study tried to investigate the incidence of PTLF following elective TIPS procedure and evaluated possible predictive factors for the same.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent elective TIPS placement between 2012 and 2022 and was conducted to determine development of PTLF (≥ 3-fold bilirubin and/or ≥ 2-fold INR elevation from the baseline) within 30 days following TIPS procedure.

A randomised-controlled trial (TARGET-C) of high vs. low target mean arterial pressure in patients with cirrhosis and septic shock.

Background & Aims: A high mean arterial pressure (MAP) target has been associated with improved renal outcomes in patients with cirrhosis, though it has not been studied in critically ill patients with cirrhosis and septic shock (CICs). We compared the efficacy of a high (80-85 mmHg; H-MAP) vs. low (60-65; L-MAP) target MAP strategy in improving 28-day mortality in CICs.

PIRO-CIC model can predict mortality and futility of care in critically ill cirrhosis patients in the intensive care unit.

Background: Dynamic assessment of critically ill patients with cirrhosis (CICs) is required for accurate prognostication.

Objective: Development of a dynamic model for prediction of mortality and decision on futility of care in CICs.

Design And Setting: In a prospective cohort study, we developed the PIRO-CIC model (predisposition, injury, response, organ failure for critically ill cirrhotics)] in a derivative cohort (n = 360) and validated it (n = 240) for patients admitted to the Liver ICU.

Ictal Blinking in Hepatic Encephalopathy Pre- and Post-Liver Transplant: Report of Eight Patients.

 Seizures are reported in 20 to 30% of cases with chronic liver disease in association with hepatic encephalopathy. Majority of these are focal seizures. Ictal blinking is reported first time in these patients pre- and post-liver transplant.

To assess the efficacy of safety measures adopted during endoscopy in the Corona Virus Disease-19 era for health care professionals-A single-centre tertiary care hospital experience.

Background And Objectives: During Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, it has been estimated that approximately 10% of health care professionals (HCPs) have been diagnosed contacting  COVID-19. Aerosol-generating procedures have led to change in safety practices among HCPs. We thus evaluated the efficacy of the endoscopic safety measures among HCPs posted in the endoscopy unit.

Impact of COVID-19 on liver transplant recipients-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Immunosuppression and comorbidities increase the risk of severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. The outcomes of COVID-19 in liver transplant (LT) recipients remain unclear. We aimed to analyse the outcomes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in LT recipients.

Single-use duodenoscope in the management of an elderly patient with difficult bile duct stones: laser lithotripsy using a disposable cholangioscope.

Video 1Single-use duodenoscope in the management of an elderly patient with difficult bile duct stones using laser lithotripsy and a disposable cholangioscope.

Use of thiopurines in inflammatory bowel disease: an update.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), once considered a disease of the Western hemisphere, has emerged as a global disease. As the disease prevalence is on a steady rise, management of IBD has come under the spotlight. 5-Aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents and biologics are the backbone of treatment of IBD.

Efficacy and safety of obeticholic acid in liver disease-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Currently, there is no pharmacotherapy for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a common liver disorder. In contrast, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease for which ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the drug of choice. However, 50% of PBC patients may not respond to UDCA.

Diagnostic yield and therapeutic impact of novel motorized spiral enteroscopy in small-bowel disorders: a single-center, real-world experience from a tertiary care hospital (with video).

Background And Aims: Novel motorized spiral enteroscopy (NMSE) is a recent advancement in the field of enteroscopy and offers multiple features, including self-propulsion, better irrigation, and shorter enteroscope length with a larger channel. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy in terms of diagnostic yield and therapeutic success of NMSE in patients undergoing enteroscopy by antegrade and/or retrograde approaches for suspected small-bowel disease.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients with symptomatic small-bowel disease who underwent enteroscopy over a 6-month period.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: liver manifestations and outcomes in COVID-19.

Background: The incidence of elevated liver chemistries and the presence of pre-existing chronic liver disease (CLD) have been variably reported in COVID-19.

Aims: To assess the prevalence of CLD, the incidence of elevated liver chemistries and the outcomes of patients with and without underlying CLD/elevated liver chemistries in COVID-19.

Methods: A comprehensive search of electronic databases from 1 December 2019 to 24 April 2020 was done.