The Liver Meeting 2024 - Debrief Sessions - Spanish-Portal Hypertension Debrief Session

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Brett Fortune delivered the 2024 Portal Hypertension Debrief at the ASLD meeting. He discussed significant advancements in diagnosing and managing portal hypertension, including updates on variceal bleeding, beta blockers, TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt), cardiac function, ascites, kidney failure, hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatopulmonary syndrome.<br /><br />Key studies presented included a Chinese multicenter study on the use of 3D MRI combined with serum indices for diagnosing severe portal hypertension, and research on the Portal Decompensation Score for noninvasive diagnosis in Western Australia. Additionally, Dr. Fortune highlighted metabolomics as a potential strategy to predict hospitalization among cirrhotic patients.<br /><br />Further discussions included the effectiveness of carvedilol compared to other beta blockers and studies exploring non-invasive risk stratification using spleen stiffness. A Thai study suggested that a shortened octreotide course might be sufficient for acute variceal bleeding.<br /><br />Themes from the debrief highlighted ongoing advancements in technology, the efficacy of non-selective beta blockers, the superiority of endovascular therapies, global healthcare disparities, and suggested that lactulose might not need to be the first-line therapy for hepatic encephalopathy. Promising results were observed for treating hepatopulmonary syndrome with Pentoxifiline, but further research is needed.

Keywords

Portal Hypertension

Variceal Bleeding

Beta Blockers

TIPS

Metabolomics

Noninvasive Diagnosis

Hepatopulmonary Syndrome