title: Fibronectin as a prognostic indicator in portal hypertension.
abstract: Plasma fibronectin levels were measured in 33 patients with portal hypertension and compared with modified Child's grading and a previously described prognostic index. Outcome at one year from blood sampling was recorded. Mean plasma fibronectin level was 304.1 mg/ml (sem 24.3) and significantly lower levels were found in patients who had had a variceal bleed within the previous seven days. Plasma fibronectin levels tended to be lower in patients with poor liver function as assessed by modified Child's grading but this did not achieve statistical significance. Plasma fibronectin alone was not an accurate predictor of one year survival in these patients but only one of seven patients who had a plasma fibronectin level below 300 mg/l in association with a poor prognostic index survived for one year.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: McKee
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Maharaj
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Garden
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000097:blood*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D005353:Fibronectins