Effects of direct-acting antiviral therapy (DAAS) on the ultrasound parameters of portal hypertension

Background:Among the endpoints of antiviral therapy with DAAs in HCV related liver cirrhosis (LC-HCV) in addition to the eradication of the virus there are the regression of fibrosis and of portal hypertension. For this reason we evaluated in LC-HCV patients and sustained virological response (SVR) to DAAs therapy the behavior of the AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) (indirect marker of fibrosis) and of two ultrasound (US) signs of portal hypertension: caliber of the portal vein (cPV ) and longitudinal diameter of the spleen (LDS) Methods:132 patients with LC-HCV at baseline (BL), at three months (PostT3) and 12 months (PostT12) after the end of therapy, performed liver function tests and …