Jihye Lim1, Ha Il Kim2, Eunju Kim3, Jiyoon Kim1, Jihyun An4, Seheon Chang5, Seon-Ok Kim6, Han Chu Lee1,7, Yung Sang Lee1,7, Ju Hyun Shim8,9. 1. Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, South Korea. 2. Gastroenterology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 3. Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Haeundae Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, Republic of Korea. 4. Gastroenterology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. 5. Internal Medicine, Myongji St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 6. Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 7. Asan Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 8. Department of Gastroenterology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, South Korea. s5854@amc.seoul.kr. 9. Asan Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. s5854@amc.seoul.kr.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) increases portal pressure and causes esophageal varices and variceal bleedings. We examined the incidence of high-risk varices and variceal bleeding and determined the indications for variceal screening and prophylaxis. METHODS: This study included 1709 asymptomatic patients without any prior history of variceal hemorrhage or endoscopic prophylaxis who underwent upper endoscopy within 30 days before or after initial anti-HCC treatment. Of these patients, 206 had PVTT, and after 1:2 individual matching, 161 of them were matched with 309 patients without PVTT. High-risk varices were defined as large/medium varices or small varices with red-color signs and variceal bleeding. Bleeding rates from the varices were compared between matched pairs. Risk factors for variceal bleeding in the entire set of patients with PVTT were also explored. RESULTS: In the matched-pair analysis, the proportion of high-risk varices at screening (23.0% vs. 13.3%; P = 0.003) and the cumulative rate of variceal bleeding (4.5% vs. 0.4% at 1 year; P = 0.009) were significantly greater in the PVTT group. Prolonged prothrombin time, lower platelet count, presence of extrahepatic metastasis, and Vp4 PVTT were independent risk factors related to high-risk varices in the total set of 206 patients with PVTT (Adjusted odds ratios [95% CIs], 1.662 [1.151-2.401]; 0.985 [0.978-0.993]; 4.240 [1.783-10.084]; and 3.345 [1.457-7.680], respectively; Ps < 0.05). During a median follow-up of 43.2 months, 10 patients with PVTT experienced variceal bleeding episodes, 9 of whom (90%) had high-risk varices. Presence of high-risk varices and sorafenib use for HCC treatment were significant predictors of variceal bleeding in the complete set of patients with PVTT (Adjusted hazard ratios [95% CIs], 26.432 [3.230-216.289]; and 5.676 [1.273-25.300], respectively; Ps < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PVTT in HCC appears to increase the likelihood of high-risk varices and variceal bleeding. In HCC patients with PVTT, endoscopic prevention could be considered, at least in high-risk variceal carriers taking sorafenib.
BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) increases portal pressure and causes esophageal varices and variceal bleedings. We examined the incidence of high-risk varices and variceal bleeding and determined the indications for variceal screening and prophylaxis. METHODS: This study included 1709 asymptomatic patients without any prior history of variceal hemorrhage or endoscopic prophylaxis who underwent upper endoscopy within 30 days before or after initial anti-HCC treatment. Of these patients, 206 had PVTT, and after 1:2 individual matching, 161 of them were matched with 309 patients without PVTT. High-risk varices were defined as large/medium varices or small varices with red-color signs and variceal bleeding. Bleeding rates from the varices were compared between matched pairs. Risk factors for variceal bleeding in the entire set of patients with PVTT were also explored. RESULTS: In the matched-pair analysis, the proportion of high-risk varices at screening (23.0% vs. 13.3%; P = 0.003) and the cumulative rate of variceal bleeding (4.5% vs. 0.4% at 1 year; P = 0.009) were significantly greater in the PVTT group. Prolonged prothrombin time, lower platelet count, presence of extrahepatic metastasis, and Vp4 PVTT were independent risk factors related to high-risk varices in the total set of 206 patients with PVTT (Adjusted odds ratios [95% CIs], 1.662 [1.151-2.401]; 0.985 [0.978-0.993]; 4.240 [1.783-10.084]; and 3.345 [1.457-7.680], respectively; Ps < 0.05). During a median follow-up of 43.2 months, 10 patients with PVTT experienced variceal bleeding episodes, 9 of whom (90%) had high-risk varices. Presence of high-risk varices and sorafenib use for HCC treatment were significant predictors of variceal bleeding in the complete set of patients with PVTT (Adjusted hazard ratios [95% CIs], 26.432 [3.230-216.289]; and 5.676 [1.273-25.300], respectively; Ps < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PVTT in HCC appears to increase the likelihood of high-risk varices and variceal bleeding. In HCCpatients with PVTT, endoscopic prevention could be considered, at least in high-risk variceal carriers taking sorafenib.
Authors: C Merkel; M Zoli; S Siringo; H van Buuren; D Magalotti; P Angeli; D Sacerdoti; L Bolondi; A Gatta Journal: Am J Gastroenterol Date: 2000-10 Impact factor: 10.864
Authors: Delia D'Avola; Mercedes Iñarrairaegui; Fernando Pardo; Fernando Rotellar; Pablo Marti; José I Bilbao; Antonio Martinez-Cuesta; Alberto Benito; Felix Alegre; Erica Mauleón; José I Herrero; Jorge Quiroga; Jesus Prieto; Bruno Sangro Journal: Ann Surg Oncol Date: 2011-01-26 Impact factor: 5.344