The Korean journal of hepatology
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The relationships between the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and the status of cirrhosis, complications of portal hypertension and the severity of cirrhosis are not clear. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between HVPG and the complications or status of cirrhosis. ⋯ HVPG was correlated with the severity of liver cirrhosis, presence of ascites, and risk of variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis.
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Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome is defined as perihepatitis associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). We retrospectively analyzed clinical and laboratory manifestations as well as the therapeutic response in patients with clinically diagnosed Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome. ⋯ Symptoms and physical findings suggestive of PID are not present in many patients with Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome. When a premenopausal woman complains of upper abdominal pain and shows CT findings compatible with perihepatitis, examination of cervical discharge would be recommended to assess the possibility of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome.
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Most patients with liver cirrhosis have hyperdynamic circulatory alterations with increased cardiac output, and decreased systemic vascular resistance and arterial pressure. But, in spite of the increased resting cardiac output, ventricular contractile response to stressful stimuli is attenuated in cirrhotic patients which is termed as cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. The prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy remains unknown at present. ⋯ Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy may also contribute to the pathogenesis of hepatorenal syndrome and circulatory failure in liver cirrhosis. Because of the marked paucity of treatment studies, current recommendations for management are empirical, nonspecific measures. Further studies for pathogenesis and new therapeutic strategies in this area are required.
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Assessment of Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in treatment of chronic disease is increasingly important. The objective of this study was to validate a Korean translation of the Liver Disease Quality of Life instrument (LDQOL version 1.0) for use in patients with chronic liver disease. ⋯ The Korean version of the liver disease specific scales of the LDQOL 1.0 is validated and useful for measuring HRQOL in Korean patients with chronic liver disease.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
[Comparison of terlipressin and octreotide with variceal ligation for controlling acute esophageal variceal bleeding--a randomized prospective study].
Terlipressin and octreotide had been used to control acute variceal bleeding and to prevent early rebleeding after endoscopic hemostasis. We compared the efficacy and safety of terlipressin and octreotide combined with endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) for the treatment of acute esophageal variceal bleeding and we evaluated their clinical significance as related to rebleeding. ⋯ Comparing terlipressin and octreotide combined with EVL showed them to be equally safe and effective therapeutic agents in patients with acute esophageal variceal bleeding. The high risk factors related to early rebleeding were poor liver function and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.