Measurement of the Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient and Transjugular Liver Biopsy

Summary

Here, we present a protocol for measurement of hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG),the gold standard to diagnose clinically significant portal hypertension. Moreover, we describe how to perform a transjugular liver biopsy within the same session.

Abstract

Here we provide a detailed protocol describing the clinical procedure of hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement in patients with advanced chronic liver disease followed by an instruction for transjugular biopsy. Under local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance, a catheter introducer sheath is placed in the right internal jugular vein. Using fluoroscopic guidance, a balloon catheter is advanced into the inferior vena cava (IVC) and inserted into a large hepatic vein. Correct and sufficient wedge position of the catheter is ensured by injecting contrast media while the balloon is blocking the outflow of the cannulated hepatic vein. After calibrating the external pressure transducer, continuous pressure recordings are obtained with triplicate recordings of the wedged hepatic venous pressure (WHVP) and free hepatic venous pressure (FHVP). The difference between FHVP and WHVP is referred to as HVPG, with values ≥10 mm Hg indicating clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). Before removing the catheter, pressure readings obtained in the IVC at the same level, as well as the right atrial pressure are recorded.

Finally, a transjugular liver biopsy can be obtained via the same vascular route. Different systems are available; however, core biopsy needles are preferred over aspiration needles, especially for cirrhotic livers. Again, under fluoroscopic guidance a biopsy needle introducer sheath is advanced into an hepatic vein. Next, the transjugular biopsy needle is gently advanced through the introducer sheath: (i) in case of aspiration biopsy, the needle is advanced into the liver parenchyma under aspiration and then removed quickly, or (ii) in case of a core biopsy, the cutting-mechanism is triggered inside the parenchyma. Several separate passages can be safely performed to obtain sufficient liver specimens via transjugular biopsy. In experienced hands, the combination of these procedures takes about 30-45 min.

Introduction

Patients with cirrhosis are at risk for developing complications mostly related to portal hypertension (PHT), such as ascites or bleeding from gastric or esophageal varices^1,2,3. The risk of hepatic decompensation is related to the degree of PHT². Measurement of the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the gold standard to estimate portal venous pressure in patient with cirrhosis, i.e. assessing the severity of sinusoidal portal hypertension⁴. An HVPG of ≥6 mm Hg to 9 mm Hg indicates elevated portal pressure (&#....

Protocol

The protocol described here complies with the guidelines of the human research ethics committee of the Medical University of Vienna.

1. Preparations

1. Use a specialized room dedicated/approved for procedures using x-ray equipped with a digital x-ray fluoroscopy system (Figure 1A), a monitor system (Figure 1B), a pressure recorder and transducer (Figure 1C) that are connected to a printer or recording software, and an ultrasound device (Figure 1D

Results

In compensated patients with well-preserved liver function (i.e. without any history of hepatic decompensation, such as ascites or variceal bleeding) the measured HVPG values might be normal or in the range of subclinical portal hypertension (HVPG 6–9 mm Hg). However, compensated patients might develop CSPH (HVPG ≥10 mm Hg) which indicates an increased risk for developing varices or hepatic decompensation. In turn, patients with esophageal or gastric varices, HVPG is usually in the range of CSPH, if not patients should b.......

Discussion

While HVPG measurements require considerable resources and trained personal with interventional skills and expertise in the reading of pressure tracings, it improves prognostication and might guide treatment decisions, and thus, facilitates personalized medicine. In addition, the opportunity to safely obtain liver biopsy specimens via the transjugular route in the same session is another argument in favor of implementing hepatic hemodynamic laboratories at tertiary care centers. Indeed, guidelines support the use of HVPG.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
10 mL Luer-Lock syringe	Braun	REF 4617100V, LOT 17G03C8	Luer-Lock Syringe for connection with the aspiration biopsy set
10 mL Syringe 2x	Braun	REF 4606108V	Snonpyrogenic, nontoxic 10 mL syringe
10 F liver biopsy  introducer sheath set	Cook Medical	REF RCFW-10.0-38, REF G07600	Percutaneous Sheath Introducer Set (TJBX), 10F Port, 13cm, Check-Flo Performer Introducer
18 G needle for biopsy introducer sheat	Arrow International	REF AN-04318	Introducer Needle for TJBX Set, 18 G, 6.35 cm
21 G needle	Henke Sass Wolf	REF 0086, Fine-Ject 21Gx2"	Sterile injeciton needle, 21 Gx2", 0.8 x 50 mm, for local anesthesia
3-way channels	Becton Dickinson	BD Connecta Luer-Lok, REF 39402	Three way channel with Luer-Lok connection system
7.5 F catheter introducer sheath set	Arrow International	REF SI_09875-E	Percutaneous Sheath Introducer Set, 7.5 F Port
Aspiration TJLBX set	Cook Medical	REF RMT-16-51.0-TJL, REF G20521	TJ Liver Access and Biopsy Needle Set (Aspiration Set), 9 F-45 cm, 16 G-50.5 cm
Balloon catheter	Gerhard Pejcl Medizintechnik Austria	REF 500765B	Ferlitsch HVPG Catheter, 7F-65cm, Balloon:2.5mL, Pressure 50-90 kPa, GW: 0.032"
Blade 11 scalpel	Medi-Safe Surgicals	MS Safety Scalpel REF /Batch 18012424	11 blade safety scalpels, retractable, single use, 10 scalpels per package
Blunt tip fill needle	Becton Dickinson	REF 303129	Sterile blunt tip fill needle, single use
Contrast media (dye)	Dr. Franz Köhler Chemie GmbH, Bensheim, GER	ZNR 1-24112	Peritrast 300 mg Iod/mL, 50 mL, contrastmedia
Core TJLBX set	Cook Medical	REF RMT-14XT-50.5-LABS-100, REF G08285	TJ Needle Introducer and Bx-Needle 7 F-53.5 cm, 14 G-53.5 cm/20 mm, 18 G-60 cm
Digital x-ray fluoroscope system	Siemens	Model No 07721710	ARCADIS Varic, mobile x-ray fluoroscope system
Disinfectant solution	Gebro Pharma	1-20413	Isozid-H
Face mask	MSP Medizintechnik GmbH	REF HSO36984	Surgical face mask from double fleece, with tie, 50 pieces
Guide wire for biopsy introducer sheat	Arrow International	REF AW-14732	Marked Spring-Wire Guide, TJBX Set, 0.032", 0.81 mm, 68 cm
Infusion line	Rosstec Medical Products b Cardea GmbH & Co	REF 220010, 100m	Infusion line, Luer-Lok for connection of balloon catheter and pressure transducer
Lidocaine 2%	Gebro Pharma	Xylanaest, ZNR 17.792, 20mg/1mL (2%)	Sterile vials Xylanest including 2% Lidocain hydrochloride for local anesthesia
Midazolame	Roche	Dormicum, ZNr 1-18809, Midazolam 5mg/5mL	Sterile vials Dormicum including Midazolam for sedation
Monitor system	Datex-Ohmeda by GE	Type F-CMREC1	Patient monitoring system
Patient bench	Silerlen-MAQET	Model No 7474.00A	Mobile patient bench for x-ray fluoroscopy
Pressure bag	Ethox Corp	REF 4005	Pressure Infuser Bag 500 mL
Pressure recorder	Edwards Lifesciences	Ref T001631A, Lot 61202039	TruWave 3 cc/150 cm
Pressure transducer	Edwards Lifesciences TM	REF T001631A	Pressure Monitoring Set (1x), 3 cc/150 cm, TruWave TM
Recording software	Datex Ohmeda by GE	Software S/5 is property of Instrumentarium Corp of Datex-Ohmeda TM	Datex-Ohmeda S/5TM Collect - Software to record pressure tracings of the patient monitor system
Sterile coat	Lohmann & Rauscher International GmbH & Co	REF 19351	Surgical Gown, Different sizes, e.g. L-130 cm
Sterile gauze	Hartmann	REF 401798, 10x10cm gauze	10 x 10 cm sterile gauze, 10 pieces per package
Sterile gloves	Meditrade	REF 9021	Gentle Skin sterile gloves, different sizes, e.g. 7.5
Sterile saline solution	Fresenius Kabi	NaCl 0.9%, B009827 REV 03	Physiologic Saline Solution 0.9% NaCl, 309 mosmol/L, pH-Wert: 4.5-7.0
Sterile saline vessel	KLS Martin	REF K8A,  18/10 Jonas	Sterilizable Metal Vessel for sterile saline
Sterile table cover	Hartmann	REF 2502208	Table Cover, Foliodrape 150 x 100 cm
Sterile towel	BARRIER by Mölnlycke Health Care	REF 706900	Adhesive OP-Towel, 100 x 100 cm
Sterile US probe cover sheath	Websinger	REF 07014	Sterile ultrasound probe cover, 20 x 60 cm, inluding two sterie adhesive tapes
Stiff guidewire	Cook Medical	REF TSMG-35-180-4-LES, G46729	Lunderquist Extra Stiff Wire Guide, 0.035"-.89 mm, 180 cm, 4 cm flexible tip
Surgical cap	BARRIER by Mölnlycke Health Care	REF 620500, PCS 100, Colour Green	Surgical Cap
Ultrasound device	FUJIFILM SonoSite	Model M-Turbo, REF P17000-17	Mobile ultrasound system