Histological and nonhistological criteria in the evaluation of liver involvement in chronic hepatitis C.

The treatment of chronic viral hepatitis is based mainly on interferon therapy. This therapy has many drawbacks, among which potentially dangerous side-effects. Moreover, the majority of the patients are asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis, and most of them will never develop cirrhosis, liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma, making the decision to treat a difficult one.

The effect of valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, on portal and systemic hemodynamics and on renal function in liver cirrhosis.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the effects of valsartan, a new generation angiotensin II receptor antagonist, on portal and systemic hemodynamics and on renal function in cirrhosis.

Methods: Eighty patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension were divided in two groups as follows: group I - 40 patients who received valsartan (Diovan) 80 mg /day for 7 days and group II - 40 patients who received placebo. All the patients had hemodynamic, endocrine and renal parameters measured on day 0 and 7.

Portal hypertensive gastropathy.

Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) is the term used to describe the endoscopic appearance of gastric mucosa seen in patients with cirrhotic or non-cirrhotic portal hypertension with a characteristic mosaic-like pattern with or without red spots. The prevalence of PHG varies from 50% to 98%, this variation of the prevalence being perhaps related to patient selection, inter- and intra-observer variation and absence of uniform criteria and classification. About 8% of the upper digestive hemorrhages in the cirrhotic patients are secondary to PHG.

The effects of carvedilol a nonselective beta-blocker on portal hemodynamics in cirrhosis.

Unlabelled: Portal hypertension is the result of increased hepatic resistance and portal influx.

Aim: To assess the effects of Carvedilol, a 3rd-generation nonselective beta blocker with alpha1-adrenergic activity on portal and systemic homodynamic in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

Methods: Fifty patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension were divided into two groups and statistically compared as follows: group I - 25 patients received Carvedilol, 12.

Interferon prophylaxis of hepatic carcinoma.

The present article reveals the importance of hepatic carcinoma among the other diseases in digestive oncology, and also the importance of a correct designation of these cases. Epidemiology and actual hypothesis on the mechanisms of oncogenesis are discussed. There are reviewed some studies in the literature concerning infection with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, coinfection (B and C viruses, B and D viruses), the role of interferon prophylaxis in such cases.