Refining Prognosis in Cirrhosis Patients With Ascites: Impact of Acute vs. Non-Acute Decompensation.

Background: A more granular understanding of hepatic decompensation in cirrhosis has led to the classification of acute decompensation (AD) and non-acute decompensation (NAD). In this study, we assessed differences in the clinical course of AD versus NAD in patients with ascites as the first decompensation event.

Methods: 505 cirrhosis patients with ascites as first decompensation were included in this single-center longitudinal cohort study and followed until further decompensation, orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), or death.

Risk of portal hypertensive complications preventable by TIPS in patients with ascites.

Background & Aims: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an effective treatment of recurrent/refractory ascites in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study is to identify patients with ascites as index decompensation who are at risk of developing portal hypertension (PH)-related complications within 12 months that seem preventable by TIPS.

Methods: We included 451 patients from two tertiary care centres (Vienna and Padua, derivation cohort) with clinically significant ascites (grade 2/3) as a single first decompensating event and without contraindications for TIPS placement.

Incidence and Clinical Significance of Recompensation After HCV Cure.

Background And Aims: Baveno VII has proposed criteria for cirrhosis recompensation, but their prognostic significance in decompensated patients cured of hepatitis C virus (HCV) deserves further investigation. Thus, we studied the incidence and impact of recompensation after HCV cure as well as its predictors.

Methods: A total of 2570 patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) from 10 European centers were retrospectively included, including 2209 and 361 patients with compensated ACLD and decompensated cirrhosis who achieved sustained virologic response to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs).

Non-Invasive Stratification of Portal Hypertension in Patients With BCR::ABL1-Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

Background & Aims: The course of BCR::ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) is frequently complicated by thromboembolic events in the splanchnic venous system, resulting in portal hypertension (PH). Therefore, the introduction of spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) might improve the diagnosis of PH. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of SSM (performed by using the 100 Hz probe) in non-invasive stratification of PH in these patients.