Peripheral circulating endothelial cells (CEC) have been proposed as a prognostic marker in cardiovascular diseases. Cirrhosis and portal hypertension are associated with vascular injury yet little is known about CEC count in these conditions. Therefore, we evaluated CEC count in patients with cirrhosis, and correlated it with markers of portal hypertension/disease severity.
Gastroenterology Research Unit, Department of Physiology, Advanced Liver Disease Study Group, Fiterman Center for Digestive Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.