Liver Cirrhosis: From Pathophysiology to Disease Management

Liver cirrhosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is the fifth most common cause of death between the ages of 25 and 45. To date it is not possible to inhibit or reverse progression of cirrhosis in most patients. Accordingly, clinicians have to deal primarily with the various complications of cirrhosis, while liver transplantation is only available for selected patients.§There has been tremendous progress in understanding liver fibrosis and cirrhosis since the last Falk Symposium devoted to this topic in 2000. This book, the proceedings of Falk Symposium No.162 entitled Liver Cirrhosis: From Pathophysiology to Disease Management , held in Dresden, Germany, on October 13--14, 2007, focuses on the pathogenetic mechanisms of liver cirrhosis and clinical management of the complications. The first part of the book discusses liver fibrogenesis and the cellular responses to chronic liver injury as well as new non-invasive techniques for assessment of fibrosis in patients. The remainder focuses on preprimary and primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding and therapy of other complications of cirrhosis.§As in other Falk Symposium books, scientific and clinical experts offer a broad understanding and pave the way for interdisciplinary discussion, thus providing a blueprint for research and clinical management of liver cirrhosis, the most prevalent sequela of chronic liver diseases worldwide.