Risk stratification in cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure : exploration of invasive and non-invasive prognostic markers

Abstract

Information on prognosis is essential for any physician for providing information to the patient and forms the basis for the decision-making process for therapy. Due to the heterogeneity of the disease, exploration of prognostic biomarkers in cirrhosis is a challenging, but important aspect of research in the field of chronic liver disease. Besides identifying patients who are at the highest risk of mortality, identification of reliable prognostic biomarkers may also help to improve treatment strategies. The aim of this thesis is to explore novel prognostic biomarkers throughout different stages of chronic liver disease and in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).