Liver Fibrosis Scores: A New Prognostic Crystal Ball for Fontan Patients
For adults living with the long-term consequences of the Fontan procedure for congenital heart disease, predicting outcomes remains a challenge. A retrospective study of 334 patients found that non-invasive biomarkers of liver fibrosis—including the FibroSURE score, APRI, FIB-4, and MELD-XI—were significantly associated with an increased risk of death or transplant. After adjusting for factors like age and hepatitis C history, a FibroSURE score above 0.74 was linked to a more than threefold increased hazard of a poor outcome, suggesting these readily available blood tests could serve as valuable prognostic tools in this complex patient population.
Why it might matter to you:
This study highlights how biomarkers from one organ system can provide critical insight into the overall prognosis of patients with complex, multi-system diseases. For your training in acute care and evidence-based practice, it underscores the importance of looking beyond the primary cardiac diagnosis to identify patients at highest risk, potentially guiding more frequent monitoring or earlier specialist referral. Understanding these associations can refine clinical decision-making for a vulnerable population where timely intervention is crucial.
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