Budd-Chiari syndrome/hepatic venous outflow tract obstruction.

Background: Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare disease characterized by hepatic venous outflow tract obstruction (HVOTO).

Methods: Recent literature has been analyzed for this narrative review.

Results: Primary BCS/HVOTO is a result of thrombosis.

Telbivudine therapy for chronic hepatitis B: A journey to identify super-responders and to optimize treatment using the roadmap model.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most serious health problems worldwide with a high risk for cirrhosis and liver cancer. Several antiviral agents have been approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, leading to a rapid reduction in HBV DNA and normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase levels. Telbivudine, a potent inhibitor of HBV replication, has been shown to be well tolerated.

Direct-acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection: optimizing current IFN-free treatment and future perspectives.

There has been a revolution in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Several oral regimens combining direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) from different families [NS5B nucleotide inhibitors, NS5B non-nucleoside inhibitors, NS5A replication complex inhibitors and NS3/4A protease inhibitors (PI)] have been developed. These regimens result in an increase in sustained virological response (SVR) rates to above 90% and reduce the duration of treatment to 12 weeks or less.