Prophylactic impact of endoscopic treatment for esophageal varices in liver resection: a prospective study

Nomogram model for predicting esophsagogastric varices in hepatocellular carcinoma with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with cirrhosis is poor. The risk of death also increases in patients with esophagogastric varices (EGV). Based on routine clinical features and related noninvasive parameters, a nomogram prediction model was developed in this study to facilitate the early identification of EGV in HCC patients.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis of patients with HCC in the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from 2020 to 2021 was performed. Clinical and noninvasive parameters closely related to EGV risk were screened by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis and integrated into a nomogram. The nomogram was validated internally and externally by calibration, receiver operating characteristic curve and decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS

A total of 165 patients with HCC-related cirrhosis were recruited. In the raining cohort, multivariate logistic regression analysis identified platelet (PLT) [odds ratio (OR), 0.950; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.925-0.977; P < 0.001], D-dimer (OR. 3.341; 95% CI, 1.751-6.376, P < 0.001), spleen diameter (SD) (OR, 2.585; 95% CI, 1.547-4.318; P < 0.001) as independent indicators for EGV. The nomogram for predicting EGV risk was well calibrated with a favorable discriminative ability and an area under curve of 0.961. In addition, the nomogram showed better net benefits in the DCA. The results were validated in the validation cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed nomogram model based on three indicators (PLT, D-dimer and SD) showed an excellent predictive effect, leading to the avoidance of unnecessary esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Effects of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for esophagogastric varices on portal hemodynamics and liver function

OBJECTIVES

To identify patients suitable for endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) by evaluating their portal hemodynamics and liver function.

METHODS

We selected 58 patients with esophagogastric varices (EGV) and liver cirrhosis (LC) related to either hepatitis C virus (C) (n = 19), hepatitis B virus (n = 2), alcohol (AL) (n = 20), C + AL (n = 6), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (n = 6), others (n = 3), or non-LC (n = 2). All patients underwent EIS. We measured their portal venous tissue blood flow (PVTBF) and hepatic arterial tissue blood flow (HATBF) using xenon computed tomography before and after EIS. We classified them into increased group and decreased group according to the PVTBF to identify the predictors that contribute to PVTBF increase post-EIS.

RESULTS

Low value of indocyanine green retention at 15 min (ICG-R₁₅), the absence of paraesophageal veins, and low baseline PVTBF/HATBF (P/A) ratio predicted increased PVTBF in the multivariate logistic analysis (odds ratio (OR) 10.46, p = 0.0391; OR 12.45, p = 0.0088; OR 13.57, p = 0.0073). The protein synthetic ability improved 1 year post-EIS in increased group. Cox proportional hazards regression identified alcohol drinking (hazard ratio; 3.67, p = 0.0261) as an independent predictor of EGV recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with low ICG-R₁₅, low P/A ratio, and the absence of paraesophageal veins were probable predictors of PVTBF improvement post-EIS. In addition, the improvement of hepatic hemodynamics likely enhanced liver function following EIS.

Selection of patients with esophageal varices for liver resection of hepatocellular carcinoma

The presence of esophageal varices (EV) is a phenotype of portal hypertension, and the indications of liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with concomitant EV are conflicting. This retrospective study aimed to elucidate if there is justification for liver resection in patients with EV. The surgical outcomes were compared between the patients who underwent resection for HCC with EV (EV group) and those without EV (non-EV group) after propensity-score matching. More bleeding was prevalent (P < 0.001) and refractory ascites was more frequently observed (P = 0.031) in the EV group (n = 277) compared with the non-EV group (n = 277); however, the numbers of patients with morbidities (P = 0.740) and re-operation (P = 0.235) were not significantly different between the two groups. After a median follow-up period of 3.0 years, the median overall and recurrencefree survival periods of patients with EV were 4.8 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.1-5.9) and 1.7 years (1.5-2.0), respectively, and were significantly shorter than those of patients without EV (7.6 years [95% CI, 6.3.9.7], P < 0.001, and 2.2 years [1.9-2.5], P = 0.016). On multivariate analysis, the independent factors for overall survival in the EV group were indocyanine green clearance rate at 15 minutes, des-gamma carboxyprothrombin, and the presence of multiple tumors. Considering that liver resection for patients with EV can be safely performed, it should not be contraindicated. However, surgical outcomes of these patients were unsatisfactory, suggesting that candidates for resection for HCC should be carefully selected.

The indocyanine green retention test as a noninvasive marker for esophageal varices in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The indocyanine green 15-minute retention (ICG-r15) test was considered as a noninvasive marker of esophageal varices (EV) in cirrhotic patients. However, the performance of ICG-r15 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has rarely been assessed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of ICG-r15 as a noninvasive marker of EV in patients with HCC.

METHODS

From October 2007 to December 2018, the study retrospectively enrolled 137 HCC patients with compensated hepatic function who received ICG-r15 tests and endoscopy screening for EV. The predictive value of the ICG-r15 test and other noninvasive markers was also evaluated for the diagnosis of EV, including the aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase ratio, platelet count/spleen diameter ratio, AST/platelet ratio index, Lok index, FIB-4, and Park index.

RESULTS

In the study cohort, 30 (21.9%) patients had EV. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for determining EV by ICG-r15 was 0.784 (95% CI: 0.686-0.881, -2 ln (L): 77.889, Akaike information criterion: 79.889), and it had the best predictive value compared with other noninvasive markers. The cutoff value of ICG-r15 to identify EV was 31.0%, and it had 40.0% sensitivity and 98.1% specificity. The cutoff value to exclude EV was 9.5% with 86.7% sensitivity and 50.5% specificity. In the multivariate analysis, ICG-r15 (odds ratio [OR]: 1.062, 1.014-1.114; p = 0.015) and the Park index (OR: 1.535, 1.091-2.159; p = 0.014) were independently related to the presence of EV.

CONCLUSION

ICG-r15 is a practical noninvasive marker with cutoff values of 9.5% for excluding EV and 31.0% for identifying EV in patients with HCC.

Prior hepatitis B virus infection as a co-factor of chronic hepatitis C patient survival after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Prior hepatitis B virus infection (PBI) may increase the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the impact of PBI on clinical outcomes following treatment for HCC remains unknown. The aim of this study was to clarify whether PBI affects clinical outcomes after liver resection for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC by retrospective cohort study.

Methods

PBI patients were defined as those negative for hepatitis B surface antigen and positive for anti-hepatitis B core antibody. Surgical outcomes of HCV-related HCC patients with PBI were compared to those without PBI. Survival of patients with non-B non-C HCC with and without PBI were also compared.

Results

In the HCV group, the median overall survival of 165 patients with PBI was 4.7 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.9–5.9), and was significantly shorter compared with 263 patients without PBI (6.6 years [5.3–9.8]; p = 0.015). Conversely, there was no significant difference in recurrence-free survival between the two groups (1.8 years [95% CI, 1.4–2.0] vs 2.0 years [1.7–2.3]; p = 0.205). On Cox proportional hazards regression model, independent factors for overall survival were PBI (hazard ratio 1.38 [95% CI, 1.02–1.87]; p = 0.033), multiple tumors (p = 0.007), tumor size (p = 0.002), and liver cirrhosis (p <  0.001). On the other hand, in the non-B non-C HCC group, both the median overall survival (6.5 years [95% CI, 4.8–7.1]) and recurrence-free survival (2.4 years, [95% CI, 1.5–3.3]) in 104 patients with PBI were not significantly different from those (7.5 years [5.5 − NA; p = 0.932]; and 2.2 years [1.7–2.7; p = 0.983]) in 213 patients without PBI.

Conclusions

PBI and HCV in conjunction with each other affect the survival of patients that have undergone resection for HCC.

Hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma after perioperative management of portal hypertension

BACKGROUND

Indications for hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have portal hypertension (PH) have been controversial. Some studies have concluded that PH is a contraindication to hepatectomy, whereas others have suggested that perioperative prophylactic management (PPM) can help overcome complications after hepatectomy associated with PH. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the short- and long-term outcomes after hepatectomy for HCC in patients with PH, with or without PPM.

METHODS

Records were reviewed of consecutive patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC, with or without PPM of PH, in a single institution from 1994 to 2015. Patients were divided into three groups: those who received PPM for PH (PPM group), patients who had PH but did not receive PPM (no-PPM group) and those without PH (no-PH group).

RESULTS

A total of 1259 patients were enrolled, including 123 in the PPM group, 181 in the no-PPM group and 955 in the no-PH group. Three- and 5-year overall survival rates were 74·3 and 53·1 per cent respectively in the PPM group, 69·2 and 54·9 per cent in the no-PPM group, and 78·1 and 64·2 per cent in the no-PH group (P = 0·520 for PPM versus no PPM, P = 0·027 for PPM versus no PH, and P < 0·001 for no PPM versus no PH). Postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were 26·0 and 0·8 per cent respectively in the PPM group, 29·8 and 1·1 per cent in the no-PPM group, and 20·3 and 0 per cent in the no-PH group.

CONCLUSION

The present study has demonstrated acceptable outcomes among patients with HCC who received appropriate management for PH in an Asian population. Enhancement of the safety of hepatic resection through use of PPM may provide a rationale for expansion of indications for hepatectomy in patients with PH.

Prediction of esophageal varices by liver and spleen MR elastography

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of MR elastography (MRE) in predicting esophageal varices (EVs) in patients with chronic liver disease.

METHODS

We prospectively performed liver (LSM) and spleen stiffness measurements (SSM) using MRE and endoscopic screening for EVs to determine if patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were eligible for resection. We investigated whether LSM, SSM, and other non-invasive preoperative parameters were associated with the presence of EVs. In order to predict EVs, 211 patients were divided into training (n = 140) and test (n = 71) groups. A nomogram was built using independent factors based on logistic regression analysis in the training group and its accuracy was validated using an independent cohort.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients (21.8%) were diagnosed as having EVs (mild, n = 36; severe, n = 10). According to multiple regression analysis, LSM (odds ratio, 2.362; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.341-4.923; p = 0.001) and SSM (1.489; 1.095-2.235; p = 0.010) were independent predictors of EVs in the training group. The nomogram showed good discrimination, with a C-index of 0.942 (95% CI, 0.892-0.974) through internal validation, and good calibration. Application of the nomogram in the test group still gave good discrimination (C-index, 0.948; 95% CI, 0.868-0.995).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of LSM and SSM using MRE is an accurate tool to identify patients at risk for EVs.

KEY POINTS

• Performance of MR elastography can estimate the presence of esophageal varices non-invasively. • Liver and spleen stiffness measurements are independent predictors for esophageal varices. • The nomogram using a combination of liver and spleen stiffness measurements allows for the risk of esophageal varices.

Liver resection for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency ablation therapy

AIM

Although radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective local treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), local recurrence is relatively frequent. We aimed to elucidate the validity of salvage liver resection for recurrent HCC after RFA.

METHODS

Patients who underwent liver resection for recurrent HCC after RFA (LR after RFA) and those who underwent second liver resection for recurrent HCC (second LR) were included. The short-term outcomes were compared between the two groups. The survival rates between the two groups were compared after propensity-score matching to adjust for the variables, including patient background, liver function, and tumor status.

RESULTS

Major resection was frequently carried out in the LR after RFA group, but there was no significant difference both in operative data and complication rate between LR after RFA (n = 54) and second LR (n = 266) groups. After a median follow-up period of 1.8 years (range, 0.2-10.5), the median overall survival was 4.4 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2 - not applicable) and 5.6 years (95% CI, 4.5-7.3; P = 0.023) in the LR after RFA group (n = 54) and second LR group (n = 54), respectively, and recurrence-free survival was 1.3 years (0.4-2.2) and 1.2 years (0.5-1.8, P = 0.469), respectively. The only independent factor for overall survival of the LR after RFA group was local recurrence (hazard ratio, 2.73; 1.06-9.00).

CONCLUSIONS

Salvage liver resection of recurrent HCC after RFA could be recommended due to the safety of the procedure, especially in patients without local tumor progression after RFA.

Clinical application of magnetic resonance elastography in chronic liver disease

Recent evidence highlighted that the accurate assessment of liver fibrosis is important for evaluating the progression of chronic liver disease. During the past decade, many non-invasive methods have been developed to reduce the need for core-needle biopsy in fibrosis staging and to overcome its limitations, such as invasiveness, high cost, low reproducibility, and poor patient consent. The diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is promising for use in clinical practice to evaluate not only liver fibrosis, but also survival and major clinical end-points such as liver decompensation, portal hypertension, development of hepatocellular carcinoma, and surgical outcomes. Together with other clinical markers, MRE can be used to better categorize patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, and assign them to different classes of risk for significant clinical outcomes. This review discusses clinical applications of MRE in the management strategy of patients with chronic liver disease.

Liver resection of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with portal hypertension and multiple tumors

AIM

Liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been recommended only for patients with a single tumor without portal hypertension. We aimed to validate this treatment strategy that is based on by the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system.

METHODS

Patients undergoing liver resection were divided into two groups: patients with single HCC without portal hypertension (Group 1) and those with at least one factors of portal hypertension and multiple tumors, up to three lesions each ≤3 cm (Group 2). We compared survival and postoperative complications between the two groups.

RESULTS

The median overall and recurrence-free survival periods of patients in Group 1 (n = 695) were 8.5 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.6-9.0) and 2.4 years (2.2-2.7), respectively, and were significantly longer compared with those of patients in Group 2 (n = 197) (5.6 years [95% CI, 4.8-6.7], P = 0.001, and 1.9 years [1.6-2.1], P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, the independent factors for overall survival were hepatitis C virus infection (hazard ratio, 1.29 [95% CI, 1.02-1.65], P = 0.032), multiple tumors (1.42 [1.01-1.98], P = 0.040), and vascular invasion (1.66 [1.31-2.10], P < 0.001). Frequency of morbidity (23 [3.3%] patients vs 11 [5.5%] patients, P = 0.143) and mortality (3 [0.4%] patients vs 2 [1.0%] patients, P = 0.305) was not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with HCC with portal hypertension and/or multiple tumors could be candidates for liver resection due to the safety of the procedure.

Correlations of Hepatic Hemodynamics, Liver Function, and Fibrosis Markers in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Comparison with Chronic Hepatitis Related to Hepatitis C Virus

The progression of chronic liver disease differs by etiology. The aim of this study was to elucidate the difference in disease progression between chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by means of fibrosis markers, liver function, and hepatic tissue blood flow (TBF). Xenon computed tomography (Xe-CT) was performed in 139 patients with NAFLD and 152 patients with CHC (including liver cirrhosis (LC)). The cutoff values for fibrosis markers were compared between NAFLD and CHC, and correlations between hepatic TBF and liver function tests were examined at each fibrosis stage. The cutoff values for detection of the advanced fibrosis stage were lower in NAFLD than in CHC. Although portal venous TBF (PVTBF) correlated with liver function tests, PVTBF in initial LC caused by nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH-LC) was significantly lower than that in hepatitis C virus (C-LC) (p = 0.014). Conversely, the liver function tests in NASH-LC were higher than those in C-LC (p < 0.05). It is important to recognize the difference between NAFLD and CHC. We concluded that changes in hepatic blood flow occurred during the earliest stage of hepatic fibrosis in patients with NAFLD; therefore, patients with NAFLD need to be followed carefully.

Prospective Validation of Optimal Drain Management “The 3 × 3 Rule” after Liver Resection

Background

We previously established an optimal postoperative drain management rule after liver resection (i.e., drain removal on postoperative day 3 if the drain fluid bilirubin concentration is <3 mg/dl) from the results of 514 drains of 316 consecutive patients. This test set predicts that 274 of 316 patients (87.0 %) will be safely managed without adverse events when drain management is performed without deviation from the rule.

Objective

To validate the feasibility of our rule in recent time period.

Methods

The data from 493 drains of 274 consecutive patients were prospectively collected. Drain fluid volumes, bilirubin levels, and bacteriological cultures were measured on postoperative days (POD) 1, 3, 5, and 7. The drains were removed according to the management rule. The achievement rate of the rule, postoperative adverse events, hospital stay, medical costs, and predictive value for reoperation according to the rule were validated.

Results

The rule was achieved in 255 of 274 (93.1 %) patients. The drain removal time was significantly shorter [3 days (1–30) vs. 7 (2–105), p < 0.01], drain fluid infection was less frequent [4 patients (1.5 %) vs. 58 (18.4 %), p < 0.01], postoperative hospital stay was shorter [11 days (6–73) vs. 16 (9–59), p = 0.04], and medical costs were decreased [1453 USD (968–6859) vs. 1847 (4667–9498), p < 0.01] in the validation set compared with the test set. Five patients who required reoperation were predicted by the drain‐based information and treated within 2 days after operation.

Conclusions

Our 3 × 3 rule is clinically feasible and allows for the early removal of the drain tube with minimum infection risk after liver resection.

Relationship between indocyanine green retention test, decompensation and survival in patients with Child-Pugh A cirrhosis and portal hypertension

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Indocyanine green retention test (ICG-r15) is a non-invasive marker of functional hepatic reserve. Among patients with compensated cirrhosis, ICG-r15 correlates to the degree of portal hypertension (PH); however, its prognostic relationship with the occurrence of decompensation events still requires clarification.

METHODS

ICG-r15 was prospectively measured in 154 patients with compensated cirrhosis. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Child-Pugh B-C, MELD>15, bilirubin > 2 mg/dl, INR > 1.5 or portal vein thrombosis were excluded. All patients underwent laboratory tests, upper endoscopy and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). Decompensation, development of HCC, liver transplant and death were recorded and analysed through competing-risk analysis.

RESULTS

The study group was composed of 134 patients who were followed for a median of 39 months. During follow-up, 46 patients (34.3%) developed liver decompensation. Hepatocellular carcinoma occurred in 18 patients and two patients died from non-liver-related causes. The 1-, 2- and 3-year cumulative incidences of decompensation were 9.7%, 28.4% and 33.4% respectively. Patients with ICG-r15 < 10% did not experience any decompensation events during follow-up, while the 3-year cumulative incidence of decompensation of patients with ICG-r15 between 10% and 22.9% was 29.2% and that of patients with ICG-r15 ≥ 23% was 70.0% (P < 0.001). ICG-r15 gave the lowest pseudo-log-likelihood value, in comparison to oesophageal varices present, MELD, low platelet count and HVPG.

CONCLUSIONS

ICG-r15 appears to be strictly related to liver decompensation, longitudinally confirming the preliminary findings of its correlation with PH among patients with compensated cirrhosis, and can be used for patient prognostication.