Cirrhosis/Liver Failure News

Mail outreach strategies were effective for increasing screening rates for hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with cirrhosis, a population most at-risk, according to data from a recent prospective study.

BOSTON — Researchers found that children and adolescents showed deficits in executive function, motor skills and health-related quality of life after surviving acute liver failure, according to data presented in a transplant plenary session at The Liver Meeting.

Recent findings suggest noninvasive tests can be used to identify patients with compensated liver disease at high risk for clinically significant portal hypertension and varices needing treatment.

Several developments in hepatology were presented at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting in Las Vegas last month. Experts gathered to discuss transplantation, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and more.

Recent findings indicated a connection between the implementation of a ‘care bundle’ and increased diagnostic paracentesis and antibiotic prophylaxis in patients hospitalized with decompensated cirrhosis, further suggesting the care bundle could improve overall managed care for these patients.

LAS VEGAS — Phlebotomy was associated with changes in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in patients hospitalized with cirrhosis, per research presented during a liver plenary at ACG 2016.

LAS VEGAS — Patients with cirrhosis and coronary artery disease treated with coronary stents had an increased rate of gastrointestinal bleeding vs. patients with coronary artery disease treated via medical management, according to results of a retrospective study presented at ACG 2016.

LAS VEGAS — Home-based endurance exercise improved peak aerobic power, suggesting it may improve overall survival in patients with cirrhosis, according to results of a pilot study presented at ACG 2016.

Ocaliva received recommendation for a conditional marking authorization in Europe for the treatment of primary biliary cholangitis, according to a release from the European Medicines Agency.

Patients with cirrhosis who received a higher dose of nonselective beta-blockers or dose titration during primary prophylaxis were less likely to experience first variceal bleeding compared with patients on a lower dose, according to published findings.