
Apixaban Prevents Portal Vein Thrombosis After Laparoscopic Splenectomy and Azygoportal Disconnection...
CirrhosisSplenectomy3 moreThe purpose of this study is to determine whether Apixaban is effective and safe in Prevention of Portal Vein Thrombosis in Liver Cirrhotic Patients after Laparoscopic Splenectomy and Azygoportal Disconnection

Diffusion-weighted Imaging Magnetic Resonance for Assessing Liver Fibrosis
FibrosisLiverSeveral noninvasive radiological techniques have been investigated for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis among patients with chronic infection with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) is a particularly appealing method for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis. The aims of this study are to evaluate the accuracy of DW-MRI in patients with chronic viral hepatitis for determining the stage of liver fibrosis.

TIPS Combined With Variceal Embolization for the Prevention of Variceal Rebleeding in Patients With...
Liver CirrhosisThe purpose of this study is to determine whether TIPS combined with variceal embolization are effective in the prevention of variceal rebleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Sonoelastography: Ultrasound Method to Measure Liver Fibrosis
Chronic Liver DiseaseNon-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease3 moreHYPOTHESIS: The investigators hypothesize that sonoelastography (SE) will provide accurate quantitative measurements that can be used to stage liver fibrosis in patients with chronic liver disease. To measure liver stiffness with sonoelastography in adults with suspect diffuse liver disease who will undergo non-focal liver biopsy as part of their routine clinical care To assess the sensitivity and specificity of sonoelastography for the detection and staging of liver fibrosis To evaluate the effect of steatosis and inflammation on the estimation of liver fibrosis using sonoelastography

Flaxseed Modulates Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in CF
Cystic FibrosisOxidative Stress1 moreFlaxseed (FS) is a safe and well tolerated supplement with an ability to fight inflammation and oxidative stress - a byproduct of daily stress the human body faces everyday and especially with chronic diseases. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease resulting from a mutation in sodium and chloride transport channels that results in pancreatic insufficiency, chronic sinusitis and chronic lung infections. The investigators hypothesize that chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are a part of the chronic exacerbations that are a part of cystic fibrosis. The investigators believe that flaxseed with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties can help dampen these stressors on the CF lung and potentially result in fewer exacerbations of CF, fewer antibiotics, fewer hospitalizations, and improved well-being.

Non Invasive Assessment of Liver Fibrosis in Children: Comparison of ShearWave Elastography, Fibrotest...
Liver FibrosisChildrenThe purpose of this study is to determine if SWE and Fibrotest®/ Fibromax®, alone or associated, are effective methods to assess liver fibrosis in children.

Mechanism and the Effect of Midodrine on Portal Pressures in Patients With Cirrhosis
CirrhosisEnd Stage Liver Disease2 moreAscites is a frequent complication of patients with portal hypertension. As portal hypertension progresses, a percentage of these patients develop refractory ascites. Management options at that point include either TIPS or intermittent large volume paracentesis (LVP), with its attendant risks, Portal hypertension is accompanied by systemic circulatory dysfunction (decreased systemic vascular resistance and systolic BP), which is exacerbated by large volume paracentesis, with resultant renal and cardiac dysfunction. There are limited options for managing patients with acute decompensation, such as hepatorenal syndrome, although midodrine and other vasoconstrictors have been used in such patients. Midodrine has not been used as a possible therapeutic for ascites. Midodrine however, has been found to change the hemodynamics related to portal hypertension and ascites. There has been also change in mediators related to renal and circulation in studies of short duration (7 days) but not found in studies of 1 month duration, however the clinical effects of midodrine is found for longer duration in other similar conditions. The purpose of the study is to assess the utility of midodrine in patients with obvious systemic circulatory dysfunction (hypotension) in improving the outcome of patients with refractory ascites and change in hemodynamic parameters and its mediators. Specific endpoints include: 1) an objective reduction of the volume/rate of accumulation of ascites and 2) a decrease in the frequency of LVP.

Detection of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in the Airways of Patients With CF
Cystic FibrosisThe purpose of this study is to determine if inhaled urea can be used to detect the presence of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in the lungs

Safety and Tolerability Study of Macitentan in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Idiopathic Pulmonary FibrosisThe MUSIC OL study is an open-label extension study, in which all eligible patients having completed the double-blind AC-055B201/MUSIC study as scheduled receive macitentan 10 mg once daily. The study objective is to assess the long-term safety and tolerability of macitentan in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Comparing Two Different Approaches in the Screening of Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes
Screening of Cystic Fibrosis Related DiabetesThe incidence of cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD) has risen significantly as patients' survival improves. Early diagnosis of CFRD is crucial to prevent the unnecessary deterioration of lung function and nutritional status, both of which affect the patient's overall survival. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGGT) is the accepted method for detecting CFRD. The Cystic Fibrosis Trust guidelines (2004) recommend that patients with CF over the age of twelve years should be screened annually. Most hospitals use an annual OGTT. Performing OGTT on all CF patients is inconvenient and may not be cost effective, as patients have to starve overnight and need to spend an extra 2 hours in the hospital in addition to all the other annual review tests. In our centre, a selective approach is used. If patients have an abnormal random blood glucose and /or abnormal glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and/or symptoms of hyperglycaemia or unexplained weight loss then an OGTT will be performed. The aims of this study are To compare the clinical efficiency in the screening for CFRD in the two different methods: i)a selective approach , ii)an unselected annual OGTT for all patients. To compare the cost effectiveness of the two approaches in the screening for CFRD.