Measurement of hepatic venous pressure gradient is feasible and safe in children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is an indirect measure of portal venous pressure in cirrhosis, which is valid in cirrhotic adults for evaluating the severity of portal hypertension, predicting outcomes, and guiding therapeutic decisions. Published data on the measurement of HVPG in children are sparse. The aim of the present study was to determine the feasibility and safety of undertaking HVPG measurements in children.

METHODS

Children who underwent HVPG measurements between 2000 and 2011 were identified from our interventional radiology database. Medical charts were reviewed for clinical, procedural, and outcome data.

RESULTS

A total of 49 patients (25 boys, mean age 8.2 ± 5.6 years) underwent 52 HVPG measurements. Diagnoses included cirrhosis (n = 7), acute liver failure (n = 15), postliver transplant (n = 6), postbone marrow transplant (n = 9), vascular anomalies (n = 3), and others (n = 9). There were no complications related to HVPG measurement. HVPG values ranged between 0 and 28 mmHg, median 9.0 (range 0-28) mmHg, and were elevated >6 mmHg in 30 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

HVPG measurement is feasible and safe in children with severe liver disease. The clinical use of HVPG measurements in managing children with portal hypertension or with acute liver diseases must now be determined.