A new clinical study from the Medical University of Vienna and University Hospital Vienna has shown that long-term abstinence from alcohol can significantly improve portal hypertension in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis, even in advanced stages. The research focused on patients who achieved “re-compensation,” a condition where previous liver disease complications resolved after sustained abstinence. Using direct measurements of the hepatic venous pressure gradient, the study demonstrated that portal pressure can be markedly reduced, lowering the risk of further complications.
Led by Benedikt Hofer and Thomas Reiberger from the Department of Medicine III, the findings confirm that abstinence not only improves prognosis but may also allow complete regression of liver-related complications. The study also highlighted the value of non-invasive methods, such as liver and spleen stiffness measurements and blood-based tests, for personalised treatment planning and complication risk assessment. The results mark an important step in understanding the liver’s regenerative potential in alcohol-related cirrhosis.
Source: Medical University of Vienna
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