Bench-to-beside review: Acute-on-chronic liver failure - linking the gut, liver and systemic circulation

ABSTRACT: The concept of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) was introduced recently to describe a subset of patients with chronic liver disease presenting with profound deterioration of liver function and rapidly evolving multi-organ failure. ACLF is frequently accompanied by the development of severe inflammatory response syndrome and has a high mortality. To date, treatment options are limited and exclusively supportive. Over the last few years, some insights have been generated in the pathophysiology of ACLF. A key role for the interaction of innate immune dysfunction, enhanced bacterial translocation from the gut, and circulatory dysfunction has been proposed. In this respect, therapeutic strategies have been examined, with variable success, in experimental studies in animals and humans. This review focuses on potentially relevant pathophysiological elements in the development of ACLF and points out promising treatment modalities in ACLF.status: publishe

Steroidal or non-steroidal FXR agonists - Is that the question?

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Prednisolone or Pentoxifylline for Alcoholic Hepatitis

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Therapeutic Intranodal Lymphangiography for Refractory Chylous Ascites Complicating Acute Necrotic Pancreatitis

Chylous ascites is a rare complication of acute pancreatitis. However, the incidence of intraperitoneal chyle leakage related to severe pancreatitis may be much higher. This is probably the result of direct damage to the cisterna chyli or its tributaries by pancreatic enzymes. In this case, conservative treatment failed to resolve the chyle leak. For the first time, to our knowledge, ultrasound guided therapeutic intranodal lymphangiography was shown to be a successful, minimally invasive treatment option in chylous ascites complicating acute necrotic pancreatitis.status: publishe

The expanding role of the bile acid receptor farnesoid X in the intestine and its potential clinical implications

Knowledge about the role of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in the intestine is rapidly expanding. In pre-clinical animal models of inflammatory bowel disease and bile duct ligation, FXR activation has proven to directly target the three pillars of intestinal homeostasis: intestinal permeability, inflammation and bacterial translocation. The protective role of FXR-ligands on this homeostasis has implications for many intestinal pathologies like inflammatory bowel disease, ischemia reperfusion injury, the metabolic syndrome, colon cancer and even diarrhea. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms by which FXR-activation exerts these protective effects and we discuss its potential clinical applications.peerreview_statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope. aims_and_scope_url: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=tacb20status: publishe

The economic impact of using single-operator cholangioscopy for the treatment of difficult bile duct stones and diagnosis of indeterminate bile duct strictures

Conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combines endoscopy and radiography to diagnose and treat pathological conditions of the bile duct. The aim of the present analysis was to evaluate the clinical and economic impact of the use of single-operator intraductal cholangioscopy (IDC), which allows for direct visualization of the bile duct, as an alternative to ERCP for the treatment of difficult bile duct stones and the diagnosis of bile duct strictures. The clinical and economic consequences of single-operator IDC use were evaluated using two decision-tree models, one for management of difficult-to-remove stones and one for stricture diagnosis. A hospital perspective was adopted. Data to populate the models were derived from two Belgian hospitals that specialize in endoscopic procedures of the bile duct. Overall, the examined population consisted of 62 patients with difficult stones and 49 patients with indeterminate strictures. In the model for difficult stone management, the use of IDC determined a decrease in the number of procedures (- 27 % relative reduction) and costs (- €73 000; - 11 % relative reduction) when compared with ERCP. In the model for stricture diagnosis, the use of IDC determined a decrease in the number of procedures (- 31 % relative reduction) and costs (- €13 000; - 5 % relative variation) when compared with ERCP. The single-operator IDC system performed better than ERCP for the treatment of difficult bile duct stones and the diagnosis of bile duct strictures, and reduced the overall expenditure in hospitals in Belgium

Villin-1 is a novel serological biomarker for intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats and humans

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The economic impact of using single-operator cholangioscopy for the treatment of difficult bile duct stones and diagnosis of indeterminate bile duct strictures

 Conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combines endoscopy and radiography to diagnose and treat pathological conditions of the bile duct. The aim of the present analysis was to evaluate the clinical and economic impact of the use of single-operator intraductal cholangioscopy (IDC), which allows for direct visualization of the bile duct, as an alternative to ERCP for the treatment of difficult bile duct stones and the diagnosis of bile duct strictures.status: publishe