1. Susana G. Rodrigues, MD-PhD student; Apr ‘17-Jul ’19, funded by the Stiftung für Leberkrankheiten Bern
1. Portal vein recanalisation with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) creation for PVT: a systematic review and meta-analysis - A systemic literature review was carried out to determine the main outcomes of TIPS insertion in the context of PVT, namely feasibility, safety and recanalization of the PV. A meta-analysis was performed. Published in Alimentary Aliment Pharmacol Ther Jan;49(1):20-30
2. Clinically significant portal hypertension in patients with advanced liver disease: not always cirrhosis - From a prospective data of patients with advanced chronic liver disease were those with CSPH selected and biopsies without histological cirrhosis selected. These cases were reviewed to detect histological findings that could clarify the increased portal pressure. Published in Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol Jan 5. pii: S (19)
3. Esophageal tamponade and esophageal stents: systematic review and meta-analysis - A systematic review and meta-analysis analyzing the efficacy and safety of balloon tamponade and esophageal stents in acute, refractory variceal bleeding. Published Semin Liver Dis May;39(2):
4. Prognostic value of imaging biomarkers of body composition and portal pressure in patients with cirrhosis – Aim of the study: To determine if imaging biomarkers of body composition (IBBC): visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue, myosteatosis, skeletal muscle mass add prognostic value to portal vein pressure in cirrhosis. Published in Liver Int Jun 17. doi: /liv
5. Factors associated with renal replacement therapy and mortality following first episode of acute kidney injury (AKI) in inpatients with cirrhosis. We aimed to compare the existing formulas of eGFR: MDRD-6, CKD-EPI and Royal Free Hospital to predict 30- and 90-day mortality in patients with cirrhosis presenting a first episode of AKI and assess which factors predict need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Presented International Liver Congress 10. April 2019
6. Efficacy and safety of anticoagulation and/or endovascular therapy on recent occlusive portal vein thrombosis (ROPVT) in patients with and without cirrhosis. In collaboration with Prof. Dr. Andrea De Gottardi. Retrospective collection of information regarding patients with ROPVT in Bern. Plan to extend study to other European VALDIG (vascular liver disease group) centers. Presented in AASLD meeting November 2018
7. The role of a gut metabolite in the development and progression of portal hypertension  preliminary part 60 patients and 24 animal models advanced chronic liver disease

2. 1. Portal vein recanalisation with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) creation for PVT: a systematic review and meta-analysis - A systemic literature review was carried out to determine the main outcomes of TIPS insertion in the context of PVT, namely feasibility, safety and recanalization of the PV. A meta-analysis was performed. Published in Alimentary Aliment Pharmacol Ther Jan;49(1):20-30
2. Clinically significant portal hypertension in patients with advanced liver disease: not always cirrhosis - From a prospective data of patients with advanced chronic liver disease were those with CSPH selected and biopsies without histological cirrhosis selected. These cases were reviewed to detect histological findings that could clarify the increased portal pressure. Published in Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol Jan 5. pii: S (19)
3. Esophageal tamponade and esophageal stents: systematic review and meta-analysis - A systematic review and meta-analysis analyzing the efficacy and safety of balloon tamponade and esophageal stents in acute, refractory variceal bleeding. Accepted for publication in August 2018 in Seminars in Liver Disease
4. Prognostic value of imaging biomarkers of body composition and portal pressure in patients with cirrhosis – Aim of the study: To determine if imaging biomarkers of body composition (IBBC): visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue, myosteatosis, skeletal muscle mass add prognostic value to portal vein pressure in cirrhosis. Written and under review in Liver International since
5. Factors associated with renal replacement therapy and mortality following first episode of acute kidney injury (AKI) in inpatients with cirrhosis. We aimed to compare the existing formulas of eGFR: MDRD-6, CKD-EPI and Royal Free Hospital to predict 30- and 90-day mortality in patients with cirrhosis presenting a first episode of AKI and assess which factors predict need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Second draft in elaboration  goal to submit for publication before the International Liver Congress 10. April 2019 (accepted there as poster presentation)
6. Efficacy and safety of anticoagulation and/or endovascular therapy on recent occlusive portal vein thrombosis (ROPVT) in patients with and without cirrhosis. In collaboration with Prof. Dr. Andrea De Gottardi. Retrospective collection of information regarding patients with ROPVT in Bern. Plan to extend study to other European VALDIG (vascular liver disease group) centers (poster presented in AASLD meeting in San Francisco November 2018)
7. Marinobufagenin in liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension - June ongoing
In collaboration with the Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and the Center for Laboratory Medicine of the Inselspital, we have sought to develop a metabolomics (LC/MS) method to detect cardiotonic steroids, namely marinobufagenin, in patients with decompensated and compensated liver cirrhosis. Awaiting collaboration with Obstetrics team from Inselspital to test method on urine samples of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia (positive control).
8. Noninvasive markers in predicting 6-month treatment nonresponse and disease flare in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and overlap (OS) – in collaboration with Dr. med Stefania Casu. Database created (currently 103 AIH and 33 overlap syndrome included with completed data  expand).
9. The role of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and TMA in portal hypertension, liver disease progression and prognosis – 30 serum samples from patients with cirrhosis and 15 healthy controls collected and analyzed in collaboration with the central lab in Kantonsspital Aarau – results suggest clear differences among compensated and decompensated liver cirrhosis patients: next steps to test in 20 pre-clinical animal models pre-cirrhotic and advanced cirrhosis  with this data from this pilot study we plan to construct grant proposal for the SNF and expand to a larger number of participants (01.Oct.2019). Abstract included with progress report