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SUMMARYBackground: Hypoxia may contribute to impairment of liver function and thus interfere with results of liver tests. In patients with cirrhosis, cytochrome P-450 mediated metabolism of substrates is facilitated in the presence of supplemental oxygen. It has not been studied how this relates to liver function and haemoglobin content. Aim: We questioned how oxygen supplementation would influence the hepatic microsomal function as assessed by the 13 C-methacetin breath test in patients with cirrhosis of different severity and different degrees of anaemia. Methods: 13 C/ 12 C ratios in exhaled breath assessed by non-dispersive infrared spectrometry were studied in 34

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Doppler sonography of the left hepatic artery performed by various observers is reproducible as long as the same device is used. Under clinical conditions, velocities are correctly measured with the use of ultrasonic contrast agent and are elevated in patients with cirrhosis.

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Portal hypertension frequently is complicated by development of varices in the esophagus, stomach or other sites of the gastrointestinal tract. Portal hypertensive gastropathy and on rare occasions gastric antral vascular ectasia as well as portal hypertensive colopathy are also possible. This paper mainly deals with the most common problem, i.e. endoscopic treatment of esophageal varices.