Non-invasive assessment and prediction of clinically significant portal hypertension

Abstract

Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) predicts variceal development, bleeding, clinical decompensation and death. Measurement is invasive, time-consuming and performed in few centres. Reduction of HVPG to ≥12 mm Hg or by >20% significantly reduces bleeding risk and mortality. Detection of non-responders requires repeated HVPG measurement as conventional non-invasive assessment is not accurate in predicting haemodynamic response. Cirrhotics have a hyperdynamic circulation and impaired baroreceptor sensitivity (BRS). The authors assessed whether non-invasive measurement of systemic haemodynamics and BRS detected clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH, HVPG ≥12 mm Hg).