Noninvasive method to measure portal vein pressure in cirrhosis
Official title: Noninvasive Subharmonic Aided Pressure Estimation of Portal Hypertension
Funded at Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-11121019 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A noninvasive ultrasound technique called SHAPE could measure portal vein pressure in people with cirrhosis to help manage complications like variceal bleeding and ascites.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2013 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $499,908 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK098526-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11121019 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cirrhosis who require assessment of portal hypertension may be eligible.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cirrhosis or those not needing portal pressure assessment may not benefit.
What this research studies
This research aims to refine and validate a noninvasive SHAPE method to estimate portal venous pressure in adults with cirrhosis. Building on prior first-in-human and multicenter work, the project compares SHAPE-derived estimates with the standard invasive HVPG measurements in real patients. If successful, the approach could reduce the need for risky catheter-based pressure tests and improve monitoring and treatment decisions for portal hypertension.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If proven accurate, this method could lessen invasive procedures and enable more frequent, comfortable monitoring for patients with cirrhosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies showed SHAPE could distinguish clinically significant portal hypertension from milder cases in adults.
Where this research is happening
-
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Forsberg, Flemming — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Forsberg, Flemming
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Noninvasive portal pressure estimation using ultrasound-based subharmonic signals
A noninvasive ultrasound method to estimate portal vein pressure in adults with cirrhosis to help manage varices and ascites.
-
Noninvasive MRI test to measure liver and portal blood pressure
An advanced MRI technique to measure pressure in the liver and portal circulation for people with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis.
-
How molecular changes in the liver cause portal hypertension
This project looks at how changes in proteins that control nitric oxide in liver blood vessel cells lead to portal hypertension in people with liver injury.
-
Under-the-skin medicine for fluid buildup (ascites) from portal hypertension
A new injectable medicine given under the skin to help people with cirrhosis who have hard-to-treat fluid buildup in the belly.
-
Noninvasive evaluation of liver pressure and health using advanced imaging techniques
This study is testing a new, painless way to check liver health and pressure using advanced imaging technology, which could help people with chronic liver disease get better and safer care without needing invasive procedures.
-
Understanding how liver injury affects blood flow in portal hypertension
This study is looking into how liver damage affects blood flow in people with portal hypertension, focusing on certain proteins that help control blood flow, so we can better understand the condition and find new ways to treat it.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.