Last updated on February 2018

Blood Ammonia as Predictor for Esophageal Varices and Risk of Bleeding

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Brief description of study

Assessment of blood ammonia level as a non-invasive predictor for presence of EV and risk of bleeding

Detailed Study Description

A prospective cross sectional study on 150 consecutive patients screening for esophageal varices.

Patient groups groups:

Group (1): 100 patients with esophageal varices

Group (2): 50 chronic liver disease patients with no esophageal varices as a control group.

All patients will be subjected to:

1. - Detailed history-taking
2. - Full clinical examination
3. - Laboratory investigations:
   • Complete blood picture (CBC)
   • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
   • Renal function tests
   • Liver function tests
   • Prothrombin time and activity
   • Viral markers (HCV Ab - HBV Ag)
   • Blood ammonia level.
4. - Pelviabdominal US: Ultrasound examination of the liver, portal venous system, spleen, kidney and other abdominal organs.
5. - Upper GITendoscopy:
   • Varices will be classified according to the Japanese classification 1996,
   • The Baveno 11 score will be used to differentiate between mild and severe portal hypertensive gastropathy.