Hepatology, cardiology, and transplant medicine experts discuss the pathophysiology, clinical management, and long-term outcomes of Fontan-associated liver disease. The symposium highlights emerging research, diagnostic advancements, and multidisciplinary approaches to improve surveillance, treatment, and transplant decision-making for this unique patient population. Audience members learn from persuasive arguments by transplant surgeons regarding the options of isolated heart transplant versus combined heart-liver transplant for pediatric patients with Fontan failure. Attendees participate in this discussion by questioning presenters and voting how they would handle a challenging clinical case in light of the information presented.

The Stump the Hepatologist session demonstrates the "art" behind the science of working through a differential diagnosis. Through live interactions with case presenters, hepatology experts work through interesting and challenging cases, voicing their thought process as the case unfolds. Participants witness how experts in the field, using their knowledge base, break down and narrow their differential diagnosis to solve the case. Following determination of the final diagnosis, each case presenter provides a brief synopsis of relevant literature.

This session updates the community on the experience and expertise of patient engagement from 3 ongoing collaboratives:

• The Autoimmune Liver Disease Network for Kids (A-LiNK) and the A-LiNK connections 
• PFIC.org and their Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funded IMPACT project (identifying research targets by merging patient and clinician treatment information)
• the Starzl Network for Excellence in Pediatric Transplantation and their PCORI funded PARTNER AD³vance project (patient-centered research in pediatric transplant—engaging families and recipients—adolescent and young adult advisors)

Presenters highlight the importance of patient engagement in setting research agendas, strategies for successful patient engagement, and how patient engagement affects project development and progress.

Portal hypertension remains a challenging complication of pediatric liver disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Management of portal hypertension in adults and children can vary. This session reviews the diagnosis and management of pediatric portal hypertension, learning from adult data.

The Associates Course expands the knowledge base of participants to improve patient outcomes in behavioral, nutritional, and pharmacologic interventions in chronic liver disease. Speakers explore topics including: (1) novel treatment models of chronic hepatitis C and MASLD/MASH; (2) pharmacist driven management of chronic liver disease; (3) resource-limited management of chronic liver disease; and (4) palliative approaches to management of patients with chronic liver disease.

Artifical intelligence (AI) affects multiple areas of our lives as clinicians, researchers, and patients. This session focuses on the rapidly evolving role of AI in liver disease care. Experts address (1) the potential role of AI in predicting disease progression, treatment response, and long-term outcomes; (2) limitations and challenges in the use of AI in the liver care setting; and (3) how AI is influencing communication between clinicians and their patients.

Join us for a poster highlight of the top abstracts from the ACLF SIG. 
 

Come discuss the upcoming AASLD guideline on treatment of chronic hepatitis B with the co-chairs of the guideline. What has changed?
 
9:45-9:55 AM- Presentation
9:55-10:15 AM- Audience Q&A and Discussion
 
 

The Patient Engagement in Drug Development: Leading Through Example (PEDDLE) Working Group, an initiative of the Liver Forum, is developing tools and best practices to make patient engagement a consistent part of MASH drug development. This session will introduce the Patient Engagement Toolkit, a framework designed to guide how patient perspectives are integrated across all stages of clinical research. Speakers will discuss how PEDDLE’s work connects with FDA guidance on non-invasive tests (NITs) and current discussions around diversity and trial representation. Co-chairs from a patient organization and industry will discuss how structured patient engagement can enhance recruitment, retention, data relevance, and trust in developing effective MASH therapies.

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FHLtwb2VSc6geLfq21aOuA

Join the Liver Fellows Network for a live podcast recording of Liver Talks, the official podcast of the Liver Fellow Network. In this special episode, “Tips for TIPS”, we will explore a complex case of portal hypertension through an engaging, case-based discussion with expert hepatologists Dr. Brett E. Fortune and Dr. David E. Kaplan.