Inferior Vena Cava Pressure as Alternative to Hepatic Venous Pressure for EUS-guided Portal Press… (NCT07703540) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Inferior Vena Cava Pressure as Alternative to Hepatic Venous Pressure for EUS-guided Portal Pressure Gradient Measurement
Germany40 participantsStarted 2026-02-01
Plain-language summary
This study investigates a new, simplified approach to measuring blood pressure within the liver (portal hypertension) using Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Portal Pressure Gradient Measurement (EUS-PPG). While this minimally invasive method traditionally relies on a hepatic vein as the baseline reference point, advanced liver scarring can make these veins twisted and highly difficult to access. To address this challenge, our study evaluates the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC)-the body's largest main vein-as an alternative reference site. Currently, it remains scientifically unproven whether the inferior vena cava or the hepatic vein provides the more reliable and accurate pressure reading for calculation, as anatomical distortion from cirrhosis can affect both areas differently. By measuring and comparing both venous compartments during a single, clinically scheduled endoscopy session, this study aims to determine if the pressures are truly interchangeable. Ultimately, this research will clarify which vessel serves as the optimal reference point, helping to establish a safer, more reliable diagnostic standard for patients with complex vascular anatomy.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Consecutive adult patients (≥18 years) undergoing clinically indicated EUS-guided portal pressure gradient measurement
Exclusion Criteria:
* severe coagulopathy (INR \>2.0), thrombocytopenia (\<50,000/µL)
* large-volume ascites
* gastric varices precluding safe vascular puncture
* known hepatic vein thrombosis or Budd-Chiari syndrome
* altered IVC anatomy such as patients after liver transplantation with piggy-back anastomosis
* contraindication to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or sedation
* pregnancy
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial compared measuring pressure from the hepatic vein versus the inferior vena cava during an EUS-guided procedure — based on what they found, does my doctor think the inferior vena cava is a reliable enough alternative for measuring my portal pressure?
2Since this study is already completed, has my doctor seen or reviewed the results, and how might those findings change the way my portal pressure would be measured in practice?
3EUS-guided portal pressure measurement is a relatively newer technique — how does my doctor currently assess portal hypertension in my case, and would this kind of EUS-based approach even be appropriate for me given my specific liver condition?
4If the two pressure measurement sites don't agree closely enough in real-world use, what does that mean for how confident my care team can be about the severity of my portal hypertension and the treatment decisions based on it?
5Are there standard, non-EUS methods for measuring portal pressure that my doctor would recommend considering first, and how do they compare in terms of accuracy and risk for someone with my degree of cirrhosis?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Agreement between mean hepatic vein pressure and mean inferior vena cava pressure measured during the same EUS-PPG session