Background and study aim: Von Willebrand factor (vWF) is released by activated endothelial cells and plays a crucial role in the development of portal hypertension. vWF levels correlate with liver function and venous hepatic pressure gradient (VHPG) and independently predict clinical outcome. The aim was to evaluate serum vWF levels as a predictor for esophageal varices and prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Patients and Methods: Sixty two patients with liver cirrhosis, divided into two groups according to presence (group I) or absence (group II) of varices were included, In addition, twenty healthy persons served as control group (group III). All patients were submitted to full history taking, clinical examination, laboratory investigations and abdominal ultrasonography. The severity of liver disease was estimated by Modified Child-Pugh and Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores. All patients were underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and vWF assay.
Results: vWF values were significantly higher in group I (p1=0.001), than controls (p2=0.000), but no significant difference between group II and control group (p3= 0.59). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis of vWF revealed that, vWF at cutoff value of 173.8 μg/ml; the sensitivity for detection of esophageal varices was 80.8%, specificity 76.0%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 93.9%, negative predictive value (NPV) was 55.6%; area under the curve was 86.6.There was significant positive correlation between vWF and Child, MELD, esophageal varices grade and severity of portal hypertensive gastropathy.
Conclusion: vWF is a good predictor for development of esophageal varices and correlated well with prognosis in patients with cirrhosis.