Deep learning helps discriminate between autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cholangitis.

Background & Aims: Biliary abnormalities in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and interface hepatitis in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) occur frequently, and misinterpretation may lead to therapeutic mistakes with a negative impact on patients. This study investigates the use of a deep learning (DL)-based pipeline for the diagnosis of AIH and PBC to aid differential diagnosis.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter study across six European referral centers, and built a library of digitized liver biopsy slides dating from 1997 to 2023.

Noninvasive Assessment of portal Hypertension in Patients With Primary Biliary Cholangitis is Affected by Severity of Cholestasis.

Background & Aims: Noninvasive tests (NITs) for ruling-out clinical significant portal hypertension (CSPH) and high-risk varices (HRVs) in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) are lacking. We evaluated NITs in these patients and the influence of cholestasis on their performance.

Methods: Consecutive patients from the "Italian PBC registry" and 2 United Kingdom large-volume PBC referral centers with upper endoscopy within 6 months from biochemical evaluation and transient elastography were included.

Perioperative administration of albumin in adult patients undergoing liver transplantation: A systematic review.

Hypoalbuminemia is a risk factor for mortality in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) and in those undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), since it represents a biomarker of post-operative delayed functional recovery of the graft. Despite albumin infusion during and after OLT is frequently adopted in recipients with hypoalbuminemia, it remains unclear whether this procedure could improve post OLT clinical outcomes. Observational studies indicated that treatment with albumin after OLT might be beneficial in reducing ascites and acute kidney injury (AKI) development.

Real-world experience with long-term albumin in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.

Background & Aims: Long-term albumin (LTA) is currently standard of care for patients with decompensated cirrhosis in many Italian hepatology centres. In this real-life study, we aimed to describe patient, logistical and treatment-related characteristics in daily clinical practice and to identify predictors of response.

Methods: We performed a multicentre, retrospective, observational study in patients with cirrhosis and ascites receiving LTA between 01/2016 and 02/2022 and followed until death, TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) placement, transplantation or 02/2023.