Liver Assist Devices for Liver Failure

Historically, mortality rates for liver failure have been high, regardless of the type. With new advancements in liver transplantation (LTx), 1-year survival rates have improved up to 95% in most recent estimates. While some patients may live past the critical period, the majority of patients do not survive the interval period for awaiting LTx or liver regeneration. The function of the liver to detoxify and correct several biochemical parameters has been achieved to some extent through artificial liver support technology, although constant innovations are still being developed for the most optimal liver support device. The complex function of the liver makes it challenging since it does not only detoxify toxic by-products but also participates in numerous other synthetic and metabolic functions of the body. Liver support systems are divided into an artificial liver assist device (ALD) and a bioartificial liver assist device (BLD). ALDs include molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS), Prometheus, single-pass albumin dialysis, and selective plasma filtration therapy. These devices work as a blood purification system of the liver. On the other hand, BLD has hepatic cell lines incorporated in its equipment, which aims to function as a complex biological liver system providing support to its biochemical processes. Several clinical and randomized trials have conflicting results on the survival of the patients with acute liver failure (ALF), and the ideal liver support system still seems a far-off goal

Outcome of Endoscopic Variceal Band Ligation

Introduction: Bleeding from esophageal varices in cirrhosis is an emergent condition with high mortality. One of the preferred modality of treating esophageal varices is EVL. We aimed to find out the outcome of EVL in controlling acute esophageal variceal bleeding, prophylactic banding to prevent future bleeding and the number of sessions required for complete eradication of varices. Methods: This descriptive observational study was carried out in Gastroenterology and Hepatology unit of Bir Hospital, NAMS from June 2016 to May 2017. Consecutive cases who presented in emergency room with acute variceal bleeding due to liver cirrhosis and cases of liver cirrhosis with large varices and red color signs on endoscopic examination were enrolled. They underwent EVL and subsequent re-endoscope at one month interval till the eradication of varices was achieved.  Results: Among 83 patients, 15 (18.1%) were of Child Pugh class A, 29 (34.9%) B and 39 (47%) were of C. In 20 (24.1%) cases varices could be eradicated in one session of EVL while 57 (68.7%) required two sessions and in 6 (7.2%) cases it took three sessions. Total average EVL session required for obliteration of esophageal varices was 1.84±0.53. There was only one (1.2%) of early re-bleeding post EVL. Conclusions: EVL is an effective modality of treatment in controlling acute esophageal variceal bleeding, in preventing future variceal bleeding as well as in eradicating esophageal varices, with very few complications. Keywords: acute variceal bleeding; cirrhosis; endoscopic variceal ligation; large varices; red color sign. [PubMed

Moderate Hypertriglyceridemia Causing Recurrent Pancreatitis: A Case Report and the Literature Review

Recurrent acute pancreatitis secondary to hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) with levels below 1000 mg/dL has been rarely reported in the literature. HTG is the third most common cause of acute pancreatitis and has been established in the literature as a risk factor when levels are greater than 1000 mg/dL. A 43-year-old patient presented to the hospital with severe epigastric abdominal pain. Initial laboratory investigations were significant for a lipase level of 4143 U/L and a triglyceride level of 600 mg/dL. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed diffuse enlargement of the pancreas consistent with pancreatitis. A diagnosis of severe acute pancreatitis secondary to high triglycerides was made based on the revised Atlanta classification 2012. The patient was initially managed with intravenous boluses of normal saline followed by continuous insulin infusion. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) was ruled out due to a past medical history of diabetes. Her clinical course was complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. During the course, she improved symptomatically and was extubated. She was started on nasogastric feeding initially and subsequently switched to oral diet as tolerated. After initial management of HTG with insulin infusion, oral gemfibrozil was started for long-term treatment of HTG. Emerging literature implicates HTG as an independent indicator of poor prognosis in acute pancreatitis (AP). Despite the paucity of data, the risk of developing AP must be considered even at triglyceride levels lower than 1000 mg/dL

Valproic acid induced acute liver injury resulting in hepatic encephalopathy- a case report and literature review

Valproic acid (VPA) is a commonly used agent in the management of seizures and psychiatric disorders. Hyperammonemia is a common complication of VPA with 27.8% of patients having elevated levels – that is unrelated to hepatotoxicity and normal transaminases. Common side effects include obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic disorder and severe forms of hepatotoxicity. Other rare and idiosyncratic reactions have been reported, one of which is presented in our case. A 27-year old patient presented with hyperammonemia and encephalopathy as a consequence of idiosyncratic VPA reaction causing drug-induced liver injury (DILI) with severely elevated transaminases. DILI is commonly overlooked when investigating encephalopathy in the setting of VPA. Physicians should consider DILI in the context of hyperammonemia and transaminitis

Colorectal Cancer in Different Age Groups in a Tertiary Hospital in Nepal

Introduction: Some studies have suggested that colorectal cancer at a younger age had distinct biological characteristics: different clinical presentations, more advanced stage at time of diagnosis and poorly differentiated carcinoma. The aim of the study is to analyze clinical and histopathological differences between younger (≤40 years of age) and older (>40 years of age) colorectal cancer patients. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted amongst the colorectal cancer patients who visited Bir Hospital between July 2015 and April 2017. All colonoscopically diagnosed and histopathologically proven cases of colon cancer were included. Chi-square test and independent t – test was performed to analyze the difference between clinical presentations and histopathological findings among two groups of patients and p value of <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Thirty younger patients and thirty older patients were enrolled without any differences in gender proportion. There were no statistical differences between clinical presentation and histological grade and type in younger and older patients. The younger patients had more complaints of altered bowel habit (p <0.001) while older patients mostly presented with per rectal bleeding (p< 0.008). Conclusions: In this study, colorectal cancer at younger ages showed similar characteristics to those of older patients except altered bowel habit was more common in younger patients while per rectal bleeding was more common in older patients. Although colorectal cancer incidence increases with age, younger patients with altered bowel habits, weight loss, anemia and anorexia should also be given due medical attention and undergo evaluation promptly.   Keywords: carcinoma; colon; per rectal bleeding; younger group. [PubMed

Efficacy of Prophylactic use of Ciprofloxacin and Metronidazole in Mild and Moderately Severe Acute Pancreatitis

Introduction: There are new concepts and developments in the diagnosis and management of acute pancreatitis. Current evidence suggests that there is no role of prophylactic antibiotics use in acute pancreatitis. However, it is still a common practice to administer prophylactic antibiotics in a country like Nepal. So, we have conducted a study in mild and moderately severe acute pancreatitis to study the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics. Methods: A case control study was conducted among 76 patients comparing efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics versus no antibiotics in patients with mild and moderately severe acute pancreatitis. Results: The two most common etiology of acute pancreatitis in AG and NAG were alcohol 21 (55.2%) vs. 24 (63.1%) and biliary 10 (26.3%) vs. 4 (10.5%) respectively. Pancreatic necrosis was seen in five (13.1 %) in AG and four (10.5%) in NAG. Four (10.5%) developed extra pancreatic complications in AG and five (13.1%) in NAG. There was one (2.6%) death in AG and no death in NAG. Abdominal pain improvement seen in AG vs. NAG was 3.2 days vs. 2.4 days (p =0.002). The hospital stay was 7.7±2.23 days in AG and 7.5±1.85 days in NAG (p=0.65). Conclusions: The routine use of prophylactic antibiotics for mild and moderately severe acute pancreatitis is not associated with improvement in meaningful clinical outcomes. Keywords: Atlanta classification 2012; mild acute pancreatitis; moderately severe acute pancreatitis; prophylactic antibiotic. [PubMed

Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in a Tertiary Care Centre of Nepal

Introduction: AUGIB is characterized by hematemesis or melena or both. Peptic ulcers and variceal bleed account for majority of cases. Use of proton pump inhibitors in current era is associated with a gradual reduction in burden of peptic ulcer disease. We conducted this study to look into the cause of AUGIB in our community. Methods: We studied 100 patients in one year period who presented to us with hematemesis or melena. The study was conducted in department of Gastroenterology, Bir hospital, Kathmandu. We identified the culprit lesions by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Results: The average age of patients with AUGIB was 51.6 years with 59 (59%) males. Duodenal ulcers are most common 29 (29%), followed by varices 23 (23%) and gastric ulcers 14 (14%). More than one lesion was identified in 38 (38%) patients. Patients with variceal bleed were more likely to present with hematemesis alone as compared to those with ulcer bleed (p=0.005). Variceal bleed patients presented earlier to the hospital (p=0.005), had lower MAP at presentation (p=0.0002), had lower hemoglobin level (p=0.0001) and higher serum creatinine level at presentation (p=0.001). Patients with variceal bleed were more likely to have consumed alcohol 20 (86.9%) and patients with ulcer bleed were more likely to be smokers 29 (67.4%) or consume tobacco 14 (32.5%) (p=0.006). Conclusions: Ulcer related bleeding is still the most common cause of AUGIB. Many patients with AUGIB have more than one lesions identified during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Keywords:  bleeding; endoscopy; peptic ulcer; upper gastrointestinal;varices. [PubMed

Prevalence of Organic Colonic Lesions by Colonoscopy in Patients Fulfilling ROME IV Criteria of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome occurs as recurrent abdominal pain that is related to defecation and associated with change in frequency and/or form of stool. Few Patients with IBS may have organic lesions detectable at colonoscopy. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in 140 consecutive patients of IBS fulfilling the ROME IV criteria. The study was conducted in Gastroenterology unit, Department of Medicine, Bir hospital, Kathmandu from July 2016 to September 2017. All patients underwent full colonoscopy along with biopsy from sigmoid colon and any visibly abnormal areas. Results: The average age of patients was 37.5 years with 76 (52.8%) males. Forty-two (30%) had IBS-D, 36 (26%) had IBS-C, 31 (22%) had IBS-M and 31 (22%) had IBS-U. Dyspepsia was seen in 16 (11.4%) and fear of TB/Malignancy/IBD was seen in 27 (19.2%). Organic lesions were seen in 39 (27.85%) patients. Nonspecific colitis was seen in 10 (7.1%) followed by ileal erosions in 7 (5%), polyps in 8 (5.7%), hemorrhoids in 6 (4.2%) and diverticula in 3 (2.1%). Only one (0.71%) patient had microscopic colitis and one (0.71%) had malignant lesion seen at histopathological examination. Females with IBS-D had more organic findings than males (P=0.03, RR=4.13, 95% CI=1.21-15.71). Conclusions: The prevalence of organic lesions in patients with IBS fulfilling ROME IV criteria is 27%. Dyspepsia is the most common comorbidity and fear of TB/malignancy/IBD is the most common reason for seeking health care. Females with IBS-D have a higher risk of detecting organic lesions by colonoscopy and histopathology examination

An association of Helicobacter pylori infection with endoscopic and histological findings in the Nepalese population

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common human infections worldwide particularly in the developing countries. We aimed to study an association of H. Pylori infection with endoscopic and histological findings in the Nepalese population. Materials and Methods: We conducted a study between Oct 2014 and Jan 2015 after meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained from National Academy of Medical Sciences. Endoscopic findings and histopathological diagnosis were documented and data were analysed. Results: A total of 113 patients who had complete endoscopy were enrolled. The prevalence of H. pylori infections recorded was 27 (23.9%) patients. There were 17 (62%) male and 10 (37%) female infected with H. pylori (P = 0.33). All biopsied specimens were sent to pathology lab for examination. The most common endoscopic findings was erythematous antral gastritis (40.7%) followed by erosive gastritis 34 (30.1%), pangastritis 10 (8.8%), duodenal ulcer 13 (11.5%), gastric ulcer 9 (8%), erosive fundal gastritis 2 (1.8%), reflux esophagitis 10 (37%) (P < 0.04). Histology revealed that 23 (85.2%) patients had chronic active gastritis (CAG); (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study revealed that H. pylori infection is strongly associated with chronic active gastritis (CAG) and Reflux esophagitis in Nepalese adults

Factors Predicting Mortality of Variceal Bleeding in Liver Cirrhosis

Introduction: Acute variceal bleeding in liver cirrhosis is an immediate life-threatening condition and amajor complication of portal hypertension associated with higher morbidity, mortality and hospital costs than any other causes of UGI bleeding. Therefore, early stratification and initiation of therapy based on several factors can reduce mortality associated with it. We aimed to study the predictors of mortality in acute variceal bleeding in LC. Methods: An observational prospective study was conducted in Gastroenterology and Hepatology units of Bir Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal from April 1, 2016 to May 30, 2017. Patients were included if they had underlying liver cirrhosis and presented upper GI bleeding which were proven to be secondary to variceal bleeding. Results: Seventy-five patients with mean age of 52.5 years were available or the analysis. The M:F ratio was 2.1:1. There were 66 patients in mortality group and 9 in survivor group. The mean CTP and MELD score were 10.17±1.66 and 20.40±8.29 respectively. Among the predictors of the mortality studied, CTP score, MELD score, mean arterial pressure, Serum bilirubin, serum creatinine, need of FFP as well as PRP transfusion, presence of hepatorenal syndrome and hepatic encephalopathy were high in mortality group with statistical significance. On multivariate analysis, high CTP and high serum creatinine level were only significant predictors of mortality. Receiver operating curve for predicting accuracy of mortality was significant with higher MELD and higher CTP score. Conclusions: Strong predictors of mortality in patients with cirrhosis presenting with variceal bleeding are CTP score and high serum creatinine level