Active clinical trials for "Liver Diseases"

Estimation of functional liver reserve in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis is of paramount importance to properly select candidates for surgical resection. Together with the value of bilirubin, the presence/absence of ascites and esophageal varices, and the rate of residual liver volume, which are our current parameters to measure functional liver reserve, the investigators sought to investigate the value of preoperative cholinesterases (CHE) in predict postoperative adverse outcome after hepatic resection for HCC.

The purpose of the study is to test whether the presence of polymorphisms in genes encoding substances of the innate immune response in patients undergoing partial hepatic resection because of benign or malignant hepatobiliary disease is related to a higher incidence of infectious complications, post-resectional liver failure or mortality.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are adult cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state by being forced to express genes and factors important for maintaining the defining properties of embryonic stem cells. The reprogramming of adult cells into embryonic stem (ES) cells enables the generation of patient-specific stem cells and thus has enormous potential for the treatment and analysis of degenerative diseases. In this project the investigators are going to induce pluripotent stem cells from cell cultures from skin biopsies of patients. The iPS cells will be developed for modeling diseases and drug discovery as well as basic research.

White blood cells can cause liver damage if they inappropriately accumulate in the liver in large numbers. Such an event can occur if an individual's blood is exposed to endotoxin, a substance released from the cell walls of many species of bacteria. The purpose of this study is to isolate neutrophils, an important white blood cell, from the blood of normal volunteers, and put them in tissue culture with isolated liver cells. The experiments will determine how endotoxin can increase the ability of neutrophils to damage liver cells. All studies supported by this grant will be done with isolated cells in tissue culture. This experimental model will reveal possible mechanisms that can in the future be evaluated in human diseases such as bacterial sepsis.

Liver cirrhosis is a chronic disease characterized by a progressive accumulation of fibrosis, loss of liver function and portal hypertension leading to several hemodynamic changes.The exact pathophysiological mechanisms causing the hyperdynamic alterations in cirrhosis are not fully elucidated. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess hemodynamic alterations in liver cirrhosis by non-invasive MRI and echocardiography compared to portal hypertension measured with liver vein catheterization (HVPG, hepatic vein pressure gradient). Furthermore, the aim is to explore hemodynamic differences between cirrhotic patients and healthy subjects. Study design and cohort: The study has a cross-sectional design and a cohort with 99 patients with liver cirrhosis - with and without complications and 27 healthy volunteers. The patients are recruited at the Gastrounit Hvidovre University Hospital. The day before the first visit patients are hospitalized and fasting overnight. At first visit liver vein catheterization (LVC) and echocardiography are performed. Second visit must be performed within 4 weeks after first visit. At the second visit patients are fasting minimum 6 hours before having MR-flow scanning, cardiac-MR and MR-Elastography (MR-E). The healthy volunteers are only offered MR-flow scanning, cardiac MR and MR-E as well as urine- and blood tests Follow-up for liver-related clinical outcome and mortality in medical records

Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare devastating human recessive disorder characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia, immunodeficiency, chromosomal instability and cancer susceptibility. The immunodeficiency is expressed by recurring infections. It's characterised by decreased lymphocytes data as well as lack of immunglobulin A, immunglobulin G subclasses and specific antibodies against pneumococcus. Aim of the present clinical trial is to investigate frequency-, intensity- and duration of the infections as well as changes oft immune status, dimension of liver disease and tumor risk in patients with A-T, with and without immunoglobulin G substitution therapy. Transient elastography (FibroScan) will be performed in order to measure liver stiffness as an indication of fatty liver and liver fibrosis. A bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is conducted to investigate the exact body composition. Ataxia Score is determined to define neurological problems. Every subject receives a diary to compile symptoms of infection.

Hepatocellular insufficiency is a dreaded complication after hepatectomy, since, if it is persistent, it leads to the death of the patient in the absence of liver transplantation. The preoperative evaluation aims in particular to estimate the risk of postoperative hepatocellular insufficiency so as to minimize or contraindicate high-risk patients. It has been shown that the flow of the portal vein is correlated with liver function, especially in the living donor and after portal embolization. More recently, the study of flow rates in the portal vein and the hepatic artery after transplantation has shown a correlation with the recovery of graft function. The hypothesis is that portal and arterial flow after hepatectomy can predict postoperative hepatocellular function.

The early evaluation of AP severity are vital. Previous studies have shown non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). This study is aimed to investigate the relationship between NAFLD and AP severity.

Indications for splenectomy during whole liver transplantation remain controversial and splenectomy is often avoided because of common complications. The objective is to evaluate specific complications of these combined procedures.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is a frequent procedure in the patients with advanced liver disease. It requires variable degree of sedation ranging from minimal sedation to general anesthesia aiming for relieving pain, anxiety, and bad memories of the procedure. In conscious sedation, patients are able to make purposeful responses to auditory and tactile clues, with maintenance of ventilatory and circulatory stability. while, in deep sedation, patients respond only to painful stimuli, and airway support is frequently required. At the level of general anesthesia, patients are unresponsive, and airway support is mandatory.