Proton Pump Inhibitor Initiation and Withdrawal affects Gut Microbiota and Readmission Risk in Cirrhosis.

Objectives: Cirrhosis is associated with gut microbial dysbiosis, high readmissions and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) overuse, which could be inter-linked. Our aim was to determine the effect of PPI use, initiation and withdrawl on gut microbiota and readmissions in cirrhosis.

Methods: Four cohorts were enrolled.

Mild alcohol consumption is not associated with increased fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Excessive alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk for fibrosis progression and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, the impact of mild-moderate alcohol use on the severity of liver fibrosis is unclear.

Goals: The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the impact of mild alcohol consumption on liver fibrosis in patients with chronic HCV.

Complications and use of intracranial pressure monitoring in patients with acute liver failure and severe encephalopathy.

Monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) in acute liver failure (ALF) is controversial as a result of the reported complication risk (approximately 20%) and limited therapeutic options for intracranial hypertension. Using prospectively collected information from 332 patients with ALF and severe encephalopathy, we evaluated a recent experience with ICP monitoring in the 24 centers constituting the U.S.