As the U.S. continues to face disparities in organ allocation — due to an imbalance of supply and demand — patients who are on the waitlist for liver transplantation are increasingly at risk. This session will discuss the importance of geographic disparities in liver transplantation as well as various strategies proposed to address this critical issue in healthcare.Julie Heimbach Julie K.

Now, more than ever, hepatologists and hepatology health professionals must guide personalized treatment plans for their patients. 21st Century Hepatology will help you do just that by discussing new and best evidence, therapeutic advances, and breakthroughs on the horizon. From the application of biomarkers to genetics and lifestyle, this course offers a state-of-the art look at translating discoveries into modern-day hepatology practice.Ronald J. Sokol Michael P. Manns Naga P. Chalasani Naga P. Chalasani, MD, FAASLD currently serves as David W.

Attendees seeking an overview of the current diagnostic and therapeutic modalities available for patients with liver cancer will benefit from Advances in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy. This session will cover a broad range of topics from epidemiology and future disease burden to the emerging role of genomics in the management of liver cancer. Attendees will also receive an overview of the role of surgical resection as well as the current indications for liver transplantation and post-transplant management and recurrence.Hashem B. El-Serag Julie Heimbach Julie K.

This program will look at current political issues related to organ allocation supported by data and an open debate, as well as changes in listing criteria. In addition, speakers will address best practices for the use of marginal livers and innovative treatment options to use such organs.Peter L. Abt Karen E. Doucette Dennis Irwin David S. Goldberg David J. Reich George E. Loss Karim Halazun Timothy L. Pruett

Join international portal hypertension experts for a critical review of several invasive interventions performed in patients with the disease. This session will look at potential situations that may interfere with the accuracy and reproducibility of hepatic venous pressure gradient and portal pressure gradient measurements in the course of TIPS. It will also discuss recommendations for standardizing the procedure.

Gain a solid background on the mechanisms that activate and potentiate hepatic injury, inflammation and fibrosis through an in-depth presentation of the different yet related basic molecular mechanisms that underlie various types of hepatic damage.Melanie J. Scott Xiaoxia Li Nissiam Hay Yingzi Yang

There is a critical need for curative therapy for hepatitis b (HBV). This program will systematically review the various approaches to achieving this goal. Attendees will gain a greater appreciation for the challenges in developing new HBV therapies and discover where new therapies will fit into the future treatment landscape for this disease.Jordan J. Feld Jordan J. Feld, MD, MPH, FAASLD attended medical school at the University of Toronto and then completed residency programs in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. Following his clinical training, Dr.

Review the rapidly evolving landscape of non-invasive diagnostic tools for the diagnosis and staging of NAFLD. Non-invasive Diagnosis of NASH will look at the current role of — and available alternatives to —liver biopsy in the assessment of NASH and discuss the controversial issue of utilizing liver biopsy as the “gold-standard” endpoint in clinical trials.

Alcoholic Hepatitis is the most severe form of Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD). Currently the most effective form of treatment is Prednisolone, to which many patients do not respond. In the last years, there has been great interest in the development of new targeted therapies for alcoholic hepatitis. In the U.S., there are 4 NIAAA-funded consortia to develop such therapies.

If you are considering a career in hepatology, this is the course for you. The Career Development Workshop will educate medical students or residents who are considering a career in hepatology about training opportunities as well as arm current GI and/ or hepatology fellows with knowledge to help them succeed in academic hepatology. Attendees will learn about clinical and basic science research, funding mechanisms, mentorship and important career crossroads.