Portal hypertension (PH) is a serious adverse event of liver cirrhosis. The hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) accurately reflects the degree of PH and is the single best prognostic factor in liver disease. Currently, portal pressure gradient (PPG) measurement is performed at interventional radiology (IR) with a standard transjugular approach requiring radiation and intravenous contrast. The aim of this study was to develop a novel EUS-guided system using a 25G FNA needle and compact manometer to directly measure PPG and to evaluate its performance and clinical feasibility.

Experiments were performed in 3 swine that were under general anesthesia. Manometry was performed in venous (baseline and PH) and arterial (aorta) systems. The PH model was created by rapid Dextran-40 infusion peripherally. Under EUS guidance a 25G FNA needle with attached manometer was used to puncture (transgastric-transhepatic approach) and measure pressures in the portal vein, right hepatic vein (RHV), inferior vena cava (IVC), and aorta. With the IR approach, RHV (free and wedged), IVC, and aorta pressure were measured with an occlusion balloon. Pressure correlation was divided into 3 groups; low pressure (baseline), medium pressure (noncirrhotic portal hypertensive model), and high pressure (arterial). Correlation between the 2 methods of measurement was charted in scatter plots, and the Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) was calculated.

EUS identification, access, and manometry was successful in all targeted vessels. There was excellent correlation (R, .985-.99) between EUS and IR methods in all pressure ranges. No adverse event occurred.

This novel technique of EUS-PPG measurement using a 25G needle and novel manometer was feasible and demonstrated excellent correlation with the standard transjugular method throughout low, medium, and high pressure ranges.