Esophageal varices

This study looks at whether adding L-carnitine, a natural substance, to standard care can improve outcomes for critically ill adults with liver disease in the ICU. About 58 participants with conditions like liver failure or severe infections will be enrolled. Researchers will tra…

This study compares two ways of placing a stent in the liver to prevent repeat bleeding from swollen veins in the throat or stomach in people with cirrhosis. The standard method fully expands the stent, while the new method uses a smaller balloon to keep it slightly narrower. The…

This study tests whether adding the blood thinner apixaban to the heart drug carvedilol can prevent complications like bleeding, fluid buildup, and confusion in people with cirrhosis and high blood pressure in the liver. About 220 adults with stable cirrhosis will take either api…

This study tests a newer, ultrasound-guided endoscopic technique to prevent repeat bleeding from enlarged veins in the stomach or esophagus of liver cancer patients. About 84 adults who recently had such bleeding controlled by standard endoscopy will be randomly assigned to recei…

This study tests whether a Botox injection into the stomach valve works as well as a surgical cut to prevent food from emptying too slowly after esophagus removal. About 170 adults having elective esophagectomy will be randomly assigned to one of the two procedures. Researchers w…

This study looks at a two-part procedure to prevent repeat bleeding in people with cavernous transformation of the portal vein, a rare condition where the main vein to the liver is blocked. The procedure involves blocking the bleeding veins and partially blocking the splenic arte…

This study tests whether vonoprazan, a stomach acid blocker, can prevent ulcers that often form after endoscopic variceal band ligation (EVBL) in people with liver cirrhosis. About 154 adults will take either vonoprazan or a placebo daily for 14 days after the procedure. Research…

This study tests a special stent called LIVERTY TIPS, placed in the liver to create a new pathway for blood flow in people with cirrhosis and high blood pressure in the liver. The goal is to see if it can keep the new channel open and reduce problems like bleeding or fluid buildu…

This study is testing a new, non-invasive way to detect high-risk varices (enlarged veins) in the esophagus and stomach of people with liver cirrhosis. Instead of using a camera down the throat (endoscopy), doctors will use a special ultrasound technique called SHAPE, along with …

This study tests a new MRI contrast agent called ferumoxytol, made from iron nanoparticles, to see if it can safely and effectively image veins in people with vein diseases. Current dyes can be risky for patients with kidney problems, but ferumoxytol may be safer and last longer …

This study is testing whether a non-invasive ultrasound of the spleen can accurately detect dangerous vein swelling and high blood pressure in the liver. Researchers will enroll 450 adults with advanced chronic liver disease. If successful, this simple scan could replace the curr…

This study tests a magnetically controlled capsule endoscope—a tiny camera you swallow—to painlessly screen the esophagus and stomach. Researchers will compare different swallowing protocols to see which gives the best view of the Z-line and other areas. 300 patients already sche…

This trial asks whether single-use gastroscopes work as well as standard reusable ones for elective and subacute upper GI procedures. About 300 adults will be examined with either a disposable or a reusable scope, and endoscopists will rate performance on a questionnaire. The stu…

This study compares two techniques—esophageal manometry and EndoFLIP balloon measurements—to evaluate how well they assess swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). Researchers will enroll up to 1,000 patients with known esophageal conditions to see how these measurements relate to sy…

This study looks at whether giving proton pump inhibitors (like omeprazole) to people with cirrhosis who have bleeding in the esophagus causes more complications in the hospital. Researchers will randomly assign 60 adults to receive either the drug or no drug after an endoscopic …

This study looks at people with high blood pressure in the liver that causes swollen veins in the esophagus and stomach. Researchers will compare those who get an endoscopic procedure (using a camera down the throat) with those who receive other treatments like medicine or surger…

This study tests whether a new EUS-guided pressure measurement (EUS-PPGM) can predict how well varices respond to endoscopic banding in people with cirrhosis. Researchers will measure portal pressure in 160 patients and follow them for one year to see if higher pressure at 3 mont…

This study looks at factors that help blood clots in the main liver vein dissolve in people with liver scarring (cirrhosis) and enlarged stomach veins. Researchers will follow 1,500 patients over time to see what influences clot recovery. The goal is to help doctors and patients …

This study is creating a large collection of medical data and biological samples from 1000 people with portal hypertension, a condition that can cause dangerous bleeding in the esophagus or stomach. The goal is to use advanced technologies like genetics and imaging to better unde…

This study looks at how two common endoscopic treatments—band ligation and sclerotherapy—change blood pressure in the liver's portal vein over 3 to 6 months. Researchers will use a special ultrasound-guided technique to measure these pressure changes in 70 adults with cirrhosis a…

This study looks at a rare liver condition called Porto-Sinusoidal Vascular Disease (PSVD), which causes high blood pressure in the liver's veins. Researchers want to see if a procedure called TIPS works as well for PSVD patients as it does for those with cirrhosis. They will com…

This study follows 10,000 people with advanced chronic liver disease at Vienna General Hospital. Researchers will track their health over time, collect blood, urine, and tissue samples, and record complications like bleeding or liver failure. The goal is to better understand how …