Surrogate Markers of Portal Pressure

HVPG will be performed by placing a placing a 7F venous catheter into a supra-hepatic vein and then advancing a 5F balloon-tipped catheter into the right hepatic vein. Wedged hepatic venous pressure (WHVP) and free hepatic venous pressure (FHVP) will be measured by connection to an external transducer and polygraph (PowerLab, ADInstruments Inc., Colorado Springs, CO). After inflating the balloon catheter, adequacy of the occlusion will be established by injection of a small amount of radiologic contrast medium. Hepatic Venous Pressure gradient (HVPG) will be calculated as the difference between WHVP and FHVP.

As decribed in arm descriptions

As decribed in arm descriptions; perfromed by ARFI

As decribed in arm descriptions; performed by ARFI