Short- and long-term effects of transarterial chemoembolization on portal hypertension in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) affects hepatic perfusion, and might have an impact on portal pressure in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this article is to report the secondary outcome "hepatic hemodynamics" from the AVATACE trial, a prospective randomized, placebo-controlled trial on the efficacy of conventional TACE in combination with bevacizumab or placebo.

METHODS

Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) was measured at baseline (prior to first TACE), within nine days ("acute effects"), two months ("intermediate effects") and six months ("long-term effects") after the first TACE.

RESULTS

Of 28 patients with early-intermediate stage HCC,  = 20 (71%) had clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH, HVPG ≥ 10 mmHg) at baseline (median, 12 (interquartile range (IQR): 9-19) mmHg). TACE had neither "acute effects" nor "intermediate effects" on HVPG. However, in 13 patients with available HVPG measurement at month 6, there was a significant increase in HVPG (median, 16 (IQR: 11-19) mmHg) compared with baseline (median, 10 (IQR: 5-12) mmHg;  = 0.007). Portal hypertension-related complications occurred exclusively in patients with CSPH (8 (40%) vs 0).

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated TACE was associated with a significant long-term increase in HVPG. This should be considered when deciding whether to continue with TACE or switch to systemic treatment, since CSPH drives the development of complications.