David Wong, Hepatologist in Toronto. UHN/SMH. INTJ
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torontoliver.bsky.social
David Wong, Hepatologist in Toronto. UHN/SMH. INTJ
@torontoliver.bsky.social
Translating research to look after patients in the real world rather than a database.
Interests: Hepatitis B, A1AT Deficiency, HIV, Alcohol. #LiverSky
Epic EMR to keep track of it all
Who should see these patients? Endocrinology? Cardiology?
Who is left to see liver failure, decomp cirrhosis?
June 5, 2025 at 11:23 PM
People quote guidelines like they are gospel. In the end guidelibes are just opinions from those who have reviewed literature. There is no guarantee that the authors have actual clinical experience.

Paid services like UpToDate are guilty of this as well.
April 24, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I was taught to swim away from a sinking ship as you might get sucked down along with the ship. Trick for us is not to get sucked down.
April 22, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Reposted by David Wong, Hepatologist in Toronto. UHN/SMH. INTJ
Saturday’s Toronto Star (Canada)
April 7, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Do the Americans still have a constitution in anything but name? I thought the Supreme Court gave that away.
April 5, 2025 at 7:32 PM
It is still too high. Please adjust Y axis to zero
April 4, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Cirrhosis is not a one way street of progression.
Many may have not seen this because it was not published in a clinical journal but this work from Ian Wanless has profound implications for Hepatology.
meridian.allenpress.com/aplm/article...
Regression of Human Cirrhosis: Morphologic Features and the Genesis of Incomplete Septal Cirrhosis
Abstract. Context.—Cirrhosis is widely regarded as being irreversible. Recent studies have demonstrated that fibrosis may decrease with time in humans and experimental animals if the disease activity ...
meridian.allenpress.com
January 8, 2025 at 10:38 PM
The registry needs to have a purpose. However, it can be used to push boundaries.
Examples:
1. Refractory ascites. Max age?
2. PreOp registry
3. Variceal bleed. When is too sick just too sick?
I know we have pushed well past the age criteria of 65 and so far so good.
January 5, 2025 at 6:47 PM
This is code for
1. Give fluids
2. Give enough
3. Don't give too much
4. Reassess frequently, more frequently the sicker they are
January 5, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Something to bear in mind, that the successful studies we see published reflect not just the science but also the skill to do the non-science dance, whether that be writing grants or writing papers or networking to publicize the work. Those with good ideas but who are not as skilled are silenced.
January 5, 2025 at 5:38 PM
The key may be in the selection. There are so many variables (types of surgery, types of decompensation) that it is impossible to address from a prospective study at this point in time. It may be worthwhile to have a registry to help glean what is futile versus what is possible.
January 5, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Without recurrent or refractory ascites.

Thank you for that caveat!!

Due to referral bias I am seeing a lot of worsening ascites on carvedilol.
December 30, 2024 at 7:49 PM
You mean vaccine discovery for Covid
And HBV!

But the current lesson is:
Vaccines only work if you use them. Measles comes to mind.

There is an emerging contrast between Asia and Africa for chronic HBV in young people
December 15, 2024 at 4:50 PM
That part is true. I have seen guys in their 20s start crying when told they needed long term treatment with Tenofovir when I worked in Ethiopia.
Need more effort with birth vaccination for Africa as it seems to be working in Asia.
December 14, 2024 at 3:08 PM
In the early 2000s Jenny Heathcote did a quality of life study comparing 3 groups. Turns out Hep C was least happy, followed by liver clinic staff. Hep B was the happiest.
Hep B does not have to be catastrophic and full of stigma. People can and do live with hep B.
December 14, 2024 at 1:02 PM