Liver Stiffness Measurement Predicts VOD/SOS Development (ELASTOVOD ITALIAN MULTICENTRIC STUDY)

Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome (SOS), also known as hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease (VOD), is a life-threatening complication in patients undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cells Transplantation (HSCT) for onco-haematological disease.

In the severe form, mortality rate can be high as 80%. Patients developing SOS/VOD present a higher survival rate when earlier SOS/VOD- specific therapy has initiated. In order to get better outcomes, it is necessary to improve early diagnosis of SOS/VOD, finding new non--invasive diagnostic instruments.

The aim of this prospective multicenter study is to assess in a large, mixed (adult and paediatric) population undergoing HSCT, the diagnostic role for SOS/VOS of Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM), assessed by different elastographic methods.

In our study, Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM) can be measured by Transient Elastography (TE) with Fibroscan, Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) or 2D-Share Wave Elastography (2D-SWE). Once chosen an elastometric method at baseline, the same must be used for all subsequent evaluations of the patient.

In patients undergoing HSCT, within one month, a complete baseline evaluation is provided. Baseline evaluation (T0) includes: signature of informed consent, haematological and hepatological anamnesis, in order to assess comorbidities and risk factors for hepato-biliary complications; complete laboratory tests; abdominal Color-Doppler Ultrasound and hepatic Elastography (with Transient Elastography, ARFI or 2D-SWE).

After conditioning and HSCT, each patient is evaluated at T1 (+9/10), T2 (+15/17), T3 (+22/24) with: bedside Elastography, laboratory tests, clinical examination based on clinical criteria for SOS/VOD diagnosis (e.g. Baltimora criteria, modified Seattle criteria, new EBMT criteria).

RUCAM-CIOMS Scale can be assess, in order to establish DILI (Drug Induced Liver Injury) diagnosis, as well.

In case of SOS/VOD suspicion, patient goes through an intense monitoring period: laboratory tests, clinical evaluation for SOS/VOD diagnosis, Color-Doppler US and Elastography are repeatedly performed in next days. This monitoring period stops if diagnosis of SOS/VOD or other diagnosis is reached.

Each center will prospectively collect data according to an electronic e-CFR on REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) system, a web application designed to support data capture for research studies in a secure manner.

Inclusion criteria

• male or female patients
• age between 3 and 70
• patients suffering from an onco-hematological disease that have an indication for either allogenic or autologous hematopoietic stem cells transplantation
• obtaining of informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• pathological obesity (BMI >40)
• pacemaker of implantable defibrillator
• presence of ascites at baseline