Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is widely considered the “new stethoscope.” Speakers review the uses of liver POCUS and discuss how POCUS can help when evaluating a patient during a hepatology consult. Experts present case studies as examples of how liver POCUS helped them define or change a diagnosis and answer questions about the use of liver POCUS.<br />
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Presenters focus on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of liver diseases. Key topics include: AI-driven advancements in clinical research such as natural language processing for unstructured clinical data analysis; predictive modeling for patient outcomes; and multimodal data integration for comprehensive patient profiling. Speakers discuss clinical applications and highlight AI tools for decision support, ambient scribes, and automated message drafting to improve patient communication. Experts provide practical examples and actionable insights to enable participants to effectively integrate AI into their clinical and research workflows.
Associate editors from the journal <em>HEPATOLOGY </em>lead a critical discussion of the most notable and influential translational research papers published in the past year. <em>HEPATOLOGY</em> associate editors Suthat Liangpunsakul, Yujin Hoshida, and Binita Kamath appraise the most cutting-edge, game-changing scientific advances. A panel discussion with the speakers, editor-in-chief Gregory Gores, and deputy editor Harmeet Malhi highlights the impact of selected papers on translational advances in the field.
Presenters in this session expound on the current understanding of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic progressive liver disease leading to biliary fibrosis and cirrhosis. The etiology of PSC remains unclear. Recent studies demonstrate that senescence of ductular reactive cells and epithelial cells exacerbate cholestatic liver injury and activate fibrogenic myofibroblasts. With the development of new technologies such as single cell/nucleus RNA sequencing, the complexity of liver cell interactions and immunological responses are being characterized. Specific changes in farnesoid X receptor and Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) expression in cholangiocytes critically contribute to the pathogenesis of PSC. Treatment with nor-ursodeoxycholic acid (norUDCA) and nonsteroidal farnesoid X receptor agonist (cilofexor) are being tested in phase 3 clinical trials to assess improvement of liver function in patients with PSC. Novel strategies such as targeting myeloid cells or hepatic myofibroblasts are being developed to prevent/revert cholestatic fibrosis.
In this case-based program, presenters provide updates on key topics in general hepatology including: (1) steatotic liver disease, with emphasis on the treatment of MASH and considerations surrounding diagnosis and management of MetALD; (2) hepatitis B management based on the AASLD 2025 guidelines; and (3) primary sclerosing cholangitis, particularly addressing screening, use of pharmacotherapy, and drug development. Cases are used to give clinicians a real-world approach to management of these common liver diseases.
Planned in partnership with the American Gastroenterological Association and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, this update provides the hepatology specialist with guidance on the management of common gastrointestinal challenges when caring for patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Presenters review the latest evidence in the management of complex liver diseases including key challenges in endohepatology; management of large polyps; dual therapy in primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding; and preoperative management of the patient with MASLD-induced cirrhosis.
Experts review the pathophysiology of Fontan-associated liver disease and the associated risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Presenters also discuss the management of Fontan-associated liver disease, indications for combined heart and liver transplantation, and posttransplant outcomes.
This year's Postgraduate Course was co-programmed by Drs. Saul Karpen, Mazen Noureddin, and Elizabeth Verna. Achieving optimal health during our patients’ lifetimes is not something that should occur only after a provider recognizes liver disease. It is best understood and approached by incorporating the many facets of each patient’s past history, genetics, environment, medications, and other exposures that change during the course of their lives. The theme of this postgraduate course is to frame the way we approach patients and their liver care in the context of their current stage of life, while also taking into account past contributions as well as preparing for the future. As such, this course reframes information and teaching points—age, disease, surveillance, screening, extrahepatic contributions, and treatments all tied together as a continuum. The speakers present their approaches and complexities to each disease or intervention through the lens of a lifetime for each of the topics. Components include pregnancy and early life contributors, extrahepatic manifestations, alcohol use, and a full session on the aging patient. Taken together, this course intends to enhance the attendee's understanding, approach, and planning for their individual patient’s needs to achieve optimal liver-centric health at all stages of their lives. For many of the expert speakers’ topics, relevant information and advice will be focused upon a lifetime of care across distinct age groups where applicable: < 18, 18-40, 40-70 and > 70 years of age. With this new approach to age groupings, the attendee will hear how the speaker optimizes their own advice, care and thinking across these different stages of their patients’ lives.<br />
The Sessions will end with a Q&A for the audience to interact with each speaker and there will be coffee/snack breaks and lunch provided to attendees. The Sessions are divided as:<br />
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<strong>Session 1 (8:00 AM - 9:45 AM):</strong> Lifelong age-appropriate screening, surveillance and therapeutic choices<br />
<strong>Session 2 (10:45 AM - 12:30 PM): </strong>Extrahepatic Contributors to Liver Health Outcomes<br />
<strong>Session 3 (1:30 PM - 3:15 PM):</strong> The die is cast at a young age: early life determinants of future liver health<br />
<strong>Session 4 (3:45 PM - 5:30 PM): </strong>Liver health in the older adults<br />
<strong>Marina Serper, MD MS</strong> will present the Thomas E. Starzl Transplant Surgery State of the Art Lecture, "Advances in Artificial Intelligence and Technology in Liver Transplantation."
Experts discuss the role of the coagulation casacade and the importance of the intricate balanace between thrombosis and hemostasis in normal liver homeostasis and in liver diseases such as DILI, MASH, and MASLD.