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Systemic inflammation in decompensated cirrhosis: Characterization and role in acute‐on‐chronic liver failure
Author(s) -
Clària Joan,
Stauber Rudolf E.,
Coenraad Minneke J.,
Moreau Richard,
Jalan Rajiv,
Pavesi Marco,
Amorós Àlex,
Titos Esther,
AlcarazQuiles José,
Oettl Karl,
MoralesRuiz Manuel,
Angeli Paolo,
Domenicali Marco,
Alessandria Carlo,
Gerbes Alexander,
Wendon Julia,
Nevens Frederik,
Trebicka Jonel,
Laleman Wim,
Saliba Faouzi,
Welzel Tania M.,
Albillos Agustin,
Gustot Thierry,
Benten Daniel,
Durand François,
Ginès Pere,
Bernardi Mauro,
Arroyo Vicente
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.28740
Subject(s) - medicine , decompensation , systemic inflammation , cirrhosis , hepatology , exacerbation , transient elastography , gastroenterology , spontaneous bacterial peritonitis , sepsis , inflammation , alcoholic hepatitis , heart failure , alcoholic liver disease , liver fibrosis
Acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) in cirrhosis is characterized by acute decompensation (AD), organ failure(s), and high short‐term mortality. Recently, we have proposed (systemic inflammation [SI] hypothesis) that ACLF is the expression of an acute exacerbation of the SI already present in decompensated cirrhosis. This study was aimed at testing this hypothesis and included 522 patients with decompensated cirrhosis (237 with ACLF) and 40 healthy subjects. SI was assessed by measuring 29 cytokines and the redox state of circulating albumin (HNA2), a marker of systemic oxidative stress. Systemic circulatory dysfunction (SCD) was estimated by plasma renin (PRC) and copeptin (PCC) concentrations. Measurements were performed at enrollment (baseline) in all patients and sequentially during hospitalization in 255. The main findings of this study were: (1) Patients with AD without ACLF showed very high baseline levels of inflammatory cytokines, HNA2, PRC, and PCC. Patients with ACLF showed significantly higher levels of these markers than those without ACLF; (2) different cytokine profiles were identified according to the type of ACLF precipitating event (active alcoholism/acute alcoholic hepatitis, bacterial infection, and others); (3) severity of SI and frequency and severity of ACLF at enrollment were strongly associated. The course of SI and the course of ACLF (improvement, no change, or worsening) during hospitalization and short‐term mortality were also strongly associated; and (4) the strength of association of ACLF with SI was higher than with SCD. Conclusion: These data support SI as the primary driver of ACLF in cirrhosis. (H epatology 2016;64:1249‐1264).