Portal Hypertension

An FDA advisory committee voted against approval for obeticholic acid in primary biliary cholangitis without cirrhosis or compensated cirrhosis with portal hypertension, citing “concern for real possible harm”.

Despite achieving cure with direct-acting antivirals, patients with chronic hepatitis C virus-related decompensated cirrhosis remain at risk for progression of portal hypertension, further decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Sinusoidal obstructive syndrome is a rare but potentially serious complication that can occur after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Incidence of new portal vein thrombosis was higher after transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma compared with microwave or radiofrequency ablation, although researchers reported no clinically significant sequalae.

Xarelto improved portal hypertension complication-free survival in patients with cirrhosis and moderate liver dysfunction without an increase in major bleeding events, according to data presented at the EASL Congress.

LONDON — Noninvasive testing may predict clinically significant portal hypertension and other outcomes in patients after hepatitis C virus cure, according to research presented at the International Liver Congress.

Both primary endoscopic prophylaxis and secondary endoscopic prophylaxis were safe for the prevention of variceal hemorrhage among pediatric patients with portal hypertension, according to a presentation.

The American College of Gastroenterology released a new guideline on disorders of the mesenteric, portal, and hepatic veins and mesenteric and hepatic arteries, which can lead to acute liver failure, chronic liver disease, noncirrhotic portal hypertension, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Galectin Therapeutics announced plans for a phase 3 clinical trial of belapectin for patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-related cirrhosis without esophageal varices, according to a press release.

A single liver stiffness measurement and changes in liver stiffness over time correlated with hepatic decompensation in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, researchers found. However, changes in liver stiffness occurred slowly in those without advanced fibrosis or decompensation.