Portal venous blood flows determine liver function in patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to HCV infection receiving successful sofosbuvir/velpatasvir therapy

Abstract

AbstractAim: To determine the significance of the portal venous blood flow and portosystemic shunts in patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to HCV infection following SVR achievement.Methods: Portal hypertension-related events and liver function were evaluated in 27 patients during and after sofosbuvir/velpatasvir therapy.Results: SVR was achieved in 25 patients, and the outcome was evaluated in 24 patients. Serum albumin level (median; g/dL) increased from 2.9 at baseline to 3.5 at 12 weeks after EOT, while liver volumes (cm3) decreased from 1,260 to 1,150. The cumulative occurrence rates of portal hypertension-related events after EOT were 29.2%, 33.3%, and 46.1% at 24, 48, and 96 weeks, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the maximal diameter of the shunts was associated with the event development, with a cutoff value of 8.3 mm. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that portal venous blood flow, liver volume, serum albumin and bilirubin levels at baseline were associated with serum albumin levels at 12 weeks after EOT.Conclusion: In patients with decompensated cirrhosis caused by HCV, the baseline portal venous blood flow and liver volume and function were predictive of liver function following SVR, while the size of portosystemic shunts predicted the portal hypertension-related event occurrence.