Long term results of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for portosystemic shunt encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

This study examined 19 patients with portosystemic shunt encephalopathy caused by a splenorenal shunt (SRS), which was treated with balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO). Long-term treatment outcomes were evaluated based on hepatic functional reserve and vital prognosis. Encephalopathy improved in all patients after shunt embolization and closure.

Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration versus endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for isolated gastric varices: a comparative study.

Isolated gastric varices (IGV) have a lower risk of bleeding than esophageal varices, however IGV bleeding is associated with a higher mortality than bleeding of esophageal varices. In recent years, two widely used treatments for IGV have been balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) and endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) using cyanoacrylate or ethanolamine oleate (EO). This study compared these two treatment methods for IGV.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on esophagogastric variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

Background And Aims: Bleeding from esophageal and gastric varices is a fatal event in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. However, the effects of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection on esophagogastric variceal bleeding are not known.

Supplementation before endoscopic therapy for esophageal varices reduces mental stress in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Esophageal varices are often seen in cirrhotic patients. Because endoscopic therapy for esophageal varices forces such patients to go on an extended fast until the endoscopic therapy occurs, physical and psychological stresses are induced. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of a nutritional supplement before endoscopic therapy on such stresses, and on the safety of therapy.

Long-term results of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration for gastric fundal varices: hepatic deterioration links to portosystemic shunt syndrome.

Background And Aims: It is well known that a large portosystemic shunt develops during portal hypertension. In this study, we studied the long-term effects of a large splenorenal shunt (SRS) on liver function and survival.

Methods: The subjects were divided into three groups: an SRS (-) group consisting of cirrhotic patients without SRS; an SRS (+) group consisting of patients with gastric fundal varices and SRS; and a balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) group with a completely obliterated SRS by B-RTO.

A patient with hyperlipidemia who had a gallbladder stone caused by administration of fenofibrate.

Fibrates are widely used for treatment of hyperlipidemia. It has been reported that gallbladder stones are formed by administration of clofibrate. It is thought that fenofibrate can cause the formation of gallbladder stone as a side effect.

Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration improves liver function in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

Background And Aim: Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) is a novel therapeutic method for the treatment of large gastric fundal varices with spontaneous splenorenal shunt (SRS). However, the effects of B-RTO on liver function remain unknown.

Methods: Fourteen patients with portal hypertension and gastric varices with SRS were studied, consisting of four patients with acute bleeding, five with high-risk varices, and five with refractory portosystemic encephalopathy.