vitamin-k-semiquinone-radical and Hypertension--Portal

Topics: Blood Transfusion; Central Venous Pressure; Cimetidine; Emergencies; Esophageal and Gastric Varices; Esophagoscopy; Esophagus; Fluid Therapy; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Hemostasis, Surgical; Humans; Hypertension, Portal; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic; Prognosis; Sclerosing Solutions; Vasopressins; Vitamin K

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Blood Transfusion; Cryotherapy; Drainage; Esophageal and Gastric Varices; Esophageal Perforation; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Hemostasis; Hepatic Encephalopathy; Humans; Hypertension, Portal; Intubation, Gastrointestinal; Liver Cirrhosis; Myocardial Infarction; Peptic Ulcer; Pneumonia, Aspiration; Portacaval Shunt, Surgical; Sclerosing Solutions; Therapeutic Irrigation; Ulcer; Vasopressins; Vitamin K

The preliminary analysis of a multicentre, randomised, single-blind trial of propranolol for prophylaxis of first bleeding in cirrhosis is reported. 174 consecutively-chosen patients with large oesophageal varices were randomly assigned to either propranolol, in doses which reduced the resting heart rate by 25% (85 patients), or to vitamin K (89 patients). 25 patients had to be withdrawn from treatment with propranolol because of poor tolerance. The 30-month cumulative proportion of patients free of bleeding was 74% in the propranolol group and 63% in the vitamin K group; corresponding survival figures were 59% and 74%, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant. A retrospective analysis, according to the presence of ascites at randomisation showed that a significantly higher proportion of patients without ascites in the propranolol group were free of bleeding compared with those in the control group (87% vs 64%; p = 0.023). No significant differences were found in patients with ascites at randomisation. Length of survival was not significantly affected by treatment in any subgroup, although it was shorter in ascitic patients given propranolol than in controls (33% vs 63%; p = 0.07). If confirmed on a longer follow-up, these results suggest that propranolol could prevent primary variceal haemorrhage in patients with well-compensated cirrhosis.

Topics: Aged; Female; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Humans; Hypertension, Portal; Liver Cirrhosis; Male; Middle Aged; Propranolol; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Survival Analysis; Vitamin K

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a frequent and serious complication in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). Recently, a new classification of PVT was proposed, although the functional component was not completed included. The status of liver disease (compensated/decompensated) should be added to this classification. Reduced portal flow velocity and the acquired hypercoagulable status associated with LC are the main risk factors for PVT development, although endothelial dysfunction may play an important role that needs to be further evaluated. The European Association for the Study of the Liver and the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease recommend that the anticoagulant treatment should be consider in cirrhotic patients with PVT. Low molecular weight heparin and vitamin K antagonists proved their efficacy and relatively safety in PVT treatment, although in addition to recanalization rates, more complex end-points such as mortality and decompensation rate should be evaluated. The new oral anticoagulant therapies offers the advantage of oral administration in the absence of laboratory monitoring, however, there are a few reports regarding their use in cirrhotic patients, most of them referring to compensated isolated cases. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt could be an alternative if thrombosis progresses despite anticoagulatant therapy and/or when PVT is associated with portal hypertension complications. The aim of this editorial is to discuss the different aspects of pathophysiology, clinical relevance, diagnosis and management of PVT in patients with LC.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Anticoagulants; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; Humans; Hypertension, Portal; Liver Cirrhosis; Portal Vein; Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic; Severity of Illness Index; Venous Thrombosis; Vitamin K

The optimal initial treatment of splanchnic vein thrombosis is uncertain. Anticoagulant therapy has been shown to be associated with vessel recanalization and decreased recurrence. Furthermore, information regarding potential predictors of chronic complications is not well understood.. A retrospective cohort study involving consecutive patients diagnosed with first-episode noncirrhotic splanchnic vein thrombosis referred to the thrombosis clinic of the authors' institution between 2008 and 2011 was conducted. Demographic and clinical information was collected. The response to initial anticoagulant therapy was evaluated by determining radiographic recanalization of vessels and clinical resolution (defined as the absence of ongoing splanchnic vein thrombosis symptoms or complications requiring treatment beyond anticoagulant therapy).. Twenty-two patients were included. Anticoagulant therapy alone resulted in vessel recanalization in 41% of patients and 68% achieved clinical resolution. Two patients experienced bleeding events. Factors associated with a lack of clinical resolution included signs of portal hypertension⁄liver failure on presentation, complete vessel occlusion at diagnosis, presence of a myeloproliferative disorder or JAK2V617F tyrosine kinase mutation and the absence of a local⁄transient predisposing factor.. Anticoagulant therapy appeared to be an effective initial treatment in patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis. Clinical factors may help to identify patients who are at risk for developing complications thus requiring closer monitoring. These findings were limited by the small sample size and need to be explored in larger prospective studies.

Topics: Abdominal Pain; Adult; Aged; Anticoagulants; Female; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; Humans; Hypertension, Portal; Janus Kinase 2; Liver Failure; Male; Middle Aged; Mutation; Myeloproliferative Disorders; Portal Vein; Retrospective Studies; Splanchnic Circulation; Splenic Vein; Treatment Outcome; Venous Thrombosis; Vitamin K

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a potentially life threatening medical emergency requiring an appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Therefore, the primary focus in a child with UGIB is resuscitation and stabilization followed by a diagnostic evaluation. The differential diagnosis of UGIB in children is determined by age and severity of bleed. In infants and toddlers mucosal bleed (gastritis and stress ulcers) is a common cause. In children above 2 y variceal bleeding due to Extra-Hepatic Portal Venous Obstruction (EHPVO) is the commonest cause of significant UGIB in developing countries as against peptic ulcer in the developed countries. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is the most accurate and useful diagnostic tool to evaluate UGIB in children. Parenteral vitamin K (infants, 1-2 mg/dose; children, 5-10 mg) and parenteral Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI's), should be administered empirically in case of a major UGIB. Octreotide infusion is useful in control of significant UGIB due to variceal hemorrhage. A temporarily placed, Sengstaken-Blakemore tube can be life saving if pharmacologic/ endoscopic methods fail to control variceal bleeding. Therapy in patients having mucosal bleed is directed at neutralization and/or prevention of gastric acid release; High dose Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs, Pantoprazole) are more efficacious than H2 receptor antagonists for this purpose.

Topics: Balloon Occlusion; Child; Developing Countries; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Therapy, Combination; Emergencies; Esophagoscopy; Gastrointestinal Agents; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Gastroscopy; Humans; Hypertension, Portal; India; Interdisciplinary Communication; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; Proton Pump Inhibitors; Risk Assessment; Severity of Illness Index; Treatment Outcome; Upper Gastrointestinal Tract; Vitamin K; Vitamins

Topics: Anticoagulants; Budd-Chiari Syndrome; Contraception; Contraindications; Female; Heparin; Humans; Hypertension, Portal; Liver; Liver Transplantation; Male; Myeloproliferative Disorders; Portal System; Portal Vein; Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Sclerosis; Stents; Venous Thrombosis; Vitamin K

Topics: Algorithms; Antithrombin III; Biopsy; Blood Coagulation Disorders; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypersplenism; Hypertension, Portal; Liver; Liver Diseases; Liver Transplantation; Thrombocytopenia; Vitamin K

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Blood Transfusion; Emergencies; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension, Portal; Liver Circulation; Liver Cirrhosis; Microcirculation; Portacaval Shunt, Surgical; Prognosis; Therapeutic Irrigation; Time Factors; Vitamin K

Topics: Blood Transfusion; Esophageal and Gastric Varices; Esophagoscopy; Humans; Hypertension; Hypertension, Portal; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Function Tests; Pituitary Hormones, Posterior; Portography; Splenectomy; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Vasopressins; Vitamin K