Advanced MRI imaging to predict dangerous bleeding in liver disease

This trial tested an advanced type of MRI scan called 4D flow MRI to see if it could safely and accurately predict which patients with cirrhosis (severe liver scarring) were at risk for dangerous bleeding from enlarged veins in the food pipe. Researchers worked with healthy volunteers and patients with different stages of liver disease to see if the imaging could spot warning signs before bleeding happens.

Patients with advanced liver disease often develop enlarged, fragile blood vessels in the esophagus that can rupture and cause life-threatening bleeding. Currently, doctors use an uncomfortable procedure called endoscopy to check for these vessels. This trial was designed to see if a non-invasive MRI scan could predict which patients actually need that procedure, avoiding unnecessary tests while catching high-risk patients.