Using portal vein flow velocity to predict oesophageal varices in cirrhotic patients

Portal Vein Flow Velocity as a Screening Tool for Oesophageal Varices in Cirrhotic Patients

Observational Assiut University · NCT05228509

This study is testing if measuring blood flow in the portal vein can help doctors predict if people with cirrhosis have dangerous esophageal varices without needing expensive and invasive procedures.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment75 (estimated)
SexAll
SponsorAssiut University Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Assiut, Manfalout and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05228509 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the use of portal vein flow velocity as a non-invasive screening tool to predict the presence of oesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis, eliminating the need for costly and invasive upper endoscopy procedures. It aims to establish a correlation between portal vein flow velocity and the occurrence of oesophageal varices, assessing its efficacy as a primary diagnostic tool. The study will include both cirrhotic patients with and without varices to determine the predictive value of this measurement.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are cirrhotic patients, both those with and without oesophageal varices.

Not a fit: Patients with hepato-cellular carcinomas, portal vein thrombosis, hepatic encephalopathy, or those with positive HCV antibodies but without liver cirrhosis will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a safer and more cost-effective method for screening cirrhotic patients for oesophageal varices.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of portal vein flow velocity as a screening tool is a novel approach, similar studies have explored non-invasive methods for predicting varices, but this specific methodology is less common.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* cirrhotic patients with oesophageal varices
* cirrhotic patients without oesophageal varices

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with hepato-cellular carcinomas \[HCCs\], portal vein thrombosis, hepatic encephalopathy.
* Patients with positive HCV antibody, but without liver cirrhosis diagnostic criteria

Where this trial is running

Assiut, Manfalout and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Cirrhosis Portal
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.