Utility of Liver and Splenic Stiffness in Predicting Esophageal Varices in Patients With Acute on Chronic Liver Failure

Monitoring and Assessment: Transient Elastography will be performed in morning hours using the FibroScan apparatus (Echosens), which consists of a 5-MHz ultrasound transducer probe mounted on the axis of a vibrator. The tip of the transducer (M-or XL probe) will be covered with a drop of gel and placed perpendicularly in the intercostal space, with the patient lying in dorsal decubitus position with the right arm in the maximal abduction. Under control, in time motion and in A-mode, the operator will choose a liver portion within the right liver lobe, at least 6-cm thick and free of large vascular structures, and the gallbladder. Liver stiffness (LS) will be measured on a cylinder of hepatic tissue of 1 cm of diameter and 4 cm of length. For assessing the splenic stiffness (SS), the patient will be in supine position with left arm in maximum abduction. Ultrasonography will be used to identify and locate the spleen parenchyma, to choose the right place for SS measurement, and to measure the spleen diameter (long axis). Transducer will be placed in the left intercostal spaces, with location indicated by the ultrasound. A median value of 10 successful acquisitions, expressed in kPa, will be kept as a representative of the LS and SS measurements. The LS and SS measurement failure will be recorded when no value will be obtained after at least 10 shots. The results will be considered unreliable in the following circumstances: valid shots fewer than 10, success rate \30 %. Liver and splenic stiffness, LSPS score (LS measurement × spleen diameter / platelet count), Platelet count to spleen diameter ratio (PSR) will be calculated. Patient will also undergo upper g.i. endoscopy on same day. HVPG and TJLB will be done if indicated. The study will assess whether the stiffness scores correlate with presence of esophageal varices. Optimum cutoffs will be calculated for predicting the presence of esophageal varices. * Study design: A Cross-Sec