Open AccessShort‐ and long‐term effects of transarterial chemoembolization on portal hypertension in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Author(s) -
Scheiner Bernhard,
Ulbrich Gregor,
Mandorfer Mattias,
Reiberger Thomas,
Müller Christian,
Waneck Fredrik,
Trauner Michael,
Kölblinger Claus,
Ferlitsch Arnulf,
Sieghart Wolfgang,
Peck-Radosavljevic Markus,
Pinter Matthias
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
ueg journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.667
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 2050-6414
pISSN - 2050-6406
DOI - 10.1177/2050640619840199
Subject(s) - medicine , portal venous pressure , hepatocellular carcinoma , portal hypertension , interquartile range , gastroenterology , placebo , cirrhosis , pathology , alternative medicine
Background Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) affects hepatic perfusion, and might have an impact on portal pressure in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Objective The objective of this article is to report the secondary outcome “hepatic hemodynamics” from the AVATACE trial, a prospective randomized, placebo‐controlled trial on the efficacy of conventional TACE in combination with bevacizumab or placebo. Methods Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) was measured at baseline (prior to first TACE), within nine days (“acute effects”), two months (“intermediate effects”) and six months (“long‐term effects”) after the first TACE. Results Of 28 patients with early‐intermediate stage HCC, n = 20 (71%) had clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH, HVPG ≥ 10 mmHg) at baseline (median, 12 (interquartile range (IQR): 9–19) mmHg). TACE had neither “acute effects” nor “intermediate effects” on HVPG. However, in 13 patients with available HVPG measurement at month 6, there was a significant increase in HVPG (median, 16 (IQR: 11–19) mmHg) compared with baseline (median, 10 (IQR: 5–12) mmHg; p = 0.007). Portal hypertension‐related complications occurred exclusively in patients with CSPH (8 (40%) vs 0). Conclusions Repeated TACE was associated with a significant long‐term increase in HVPG. This should be considered when deciding whether to continue with TACE or switch to systemic treatment, since CSPH drives the development of complications.