Spleen stiffness mirrors changes in portal hypertension after successful interferon-free therapy in chronic-hepatitis C virus patients

Figure 1 Flowchart of study design. DAA: Direct-acting antiviral; EBL: Endoscopic band ligation; HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; HCV: Hepatitis C virus; LSM: Liver stiffness measurement; NSBB: Non-selective beta-blocker; SSM: Spleen stiffness measurement; SVR: Sustained virological response; TIPS: Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

Figure 2 Non-invasive tests changes after sustained viral response by clinically significant portal hypertension presence. A: LSM and SSM changes; B: PLT, SD, LSPS changes. CSPH: Clinically significant portal hypertension; LSM: Liver stiffness measurement; SSM: Spleen stiffness measurement; PLT: Platelet count; SD: Spleen diameter; LSPS: Liver stiffness-to-spleen diameter-to-platelet count ratio score.

Figure 3 Spleen and liver stiffness measurement decreases after sustained viral response (A), and liver stiffness measurement decreases in patients without spleen stiffness measurement improvements (B). BL: Baseline; CSPH: Clinically significant portal hypertension; LSM: Liver stiffness measurement; SSM: Spleen stiffness measurement; SVR: Sustained virological response.

Figure 4 Clinically significant portal hypertension presence, according to Baveno VI (liver stiffness measurement ≥ 21 kPa) at baseline and after SVR24. CSPH: Clinically significant portal hypertension; LSM: Liver stiffness measurement; SSM: Spleen stiffness measurement; SVR: Sustained virological response.