Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH

@blaneymd.medsky.social

Mom | Outdoor Enthusiast | Humanist |Hepato-centric | Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease | Transplant Hepatology Fellow I Liver Fellow Network Co-Lead Fellow | #liversky

1.2K followers1.1K following378 posts

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH reposted

Elliot Tapper
@ebtapper.bsky.social

There are two articles in NEJM this year that say naltrexone is 'contraindicated for cirrhosis'. This saddens me. It is not supported by an evidence. Alcohol is 'contraindicated for cirrhosis'. That is supported by evidence

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH@blaneymd.medsky.social

An important message on naltrexone in patients with liver disease: ✅Naltrexone can help reduce alcohol use without harming the liver. 🚫Alcohol DOES harm the liver. We do not need any more barriers to treat patients with AUD➕ALD! @nejm.org @ebtapper.bsky.social www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

📢 PSA: 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️Primary care doctors and internists: ‼️Please 🛑 telling patients “it’s just fatty liver” Common, yes. But not benign! ✅ Take 🍺🍸history, perform brief intervention ✅ Manage metabolic risk factors 🧐Fibrosis (FIB-4) ☎️ Your friendly hepatologist if you need help! #liversky #medsky

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

Alcohol use is pervasive. I’ve had conversations about how to prevent harmful drinking in teenagers and children (one study I did on an AUD population the average age of first drink was 11). Here is one idea (that can be applied to other habits)! What else can we do help reduce underage drinking?

WHO@who.int

Studies show that when kids see parents drinking, it normalizes alcohol consumption. 📢 Help prevent early drinking. Have open conversations & model healthy habits at home. You are your kid’s hero. 👉 bit.ly/3S60G7i

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

Most of what we see on the liver transplant wards are sick, young patients with alcohol-associated liver disease. We frequently see patients in their 20s and 30s, many who drank at “socially acceptable levels,” with severe liver disease resulting in either transplant or ☠️. #liversky

WHO@who.int

Alcohol consumption is rising among young people across many low- & middle-income countries, especially among young women. Meanwhile, drinking rates remain high in high-income countries. Here are the risks & why you should care. 👉 bit.ly/3S60G7i

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

As a clinician scientist who has devoted my life to improving health + advancing science, the last few months have been terrifying. I don't understand why the US doesn't want to continue leading in health + science Supporting medical science in the USA - The Lancet www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

thelancet.comSupporting medical science in the USAThe pursuit of rigorous medical science is not compatible with capitulation to government demands aimed at weaponising and eroding science. On April 14, Edwin R Martin Jr, the Trump-appointed interim ...
Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

Not surprising, but these pronatalists are white supremacists, backed by tech money and now with a large voice. Who would want to bring children into their sick world? www.npr.org/2025/04/25/n...

npr.orgThey say they want Americans to have more babies. What's beneath the surface?Pronatalists believe that modern culture has failed to adequately prioritize the value of nuclear families and making lots of babies. They see powerful potential allies in Elon Musk and JD Vance.

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH reposted

WHO
@who.int

It’s #WorldImmunizationWeek Vaccines have saved 154 million lives in the last 50 years. That’s 6 lives every minute. A reminder of what is #HumanlyPossible. Science saves lives. #VaccinesWork bit.ly/wiw2025

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

Unsurprisingly, this administration misses the 🎯 on why many people don’t have more children: 💰(a one time $5k bonus isn’t enough) My PGY4, I spent more than my salary on childcare (and we had a very reasonably priced day care at the time for the area, ~$1300/m) www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/u...

nytimes.comTrump Aides Solicit Ideas to Raise Birthrate, From Baby Bonuses to Fertility PlanningBaby bonuses and menstrual cycle classes are among the ideas pitched to Trump aides as they consider plans to try boosting the birthrate.
Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

This trend is *very* concerning given that alcohol damages the liver of females at 2x the rate of males. We are seeing so many young females (20s and 30s) who get very sick and often die from🍸🍷🍻-associated liver disease! We need to work on strategies to 📉 alcohol use in this population! #liversky

JAMA@jama.com

Past-month binge drinking among young adult females in 2021-2023 was higher than among males, reversing 2017-2019 patterns, whereas males in other age groups continued to binge and heavy drink at higher rates. https://ja.ma/42pf2V6 #MedSky

ja.maSex-Based Differences in Binge and Heavy DrinkingThis cross-sectional study compares differences in binge and heavy drinking among male and female adults in recent years.
Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

An estimated 3.3 million Americans are living with viral hepatitis. I see many of them daily with complications including liver cancer and cirrhosis. We see periodic outbreaks of hepatitis across our country, on top of a growing IVDU-related HCV epidemic. This is pure bananas 🍌.

NPR@npr.org

All 27 scientists at this CDC lab were told their duties were "unnecessary," and now viral outbreak investigations have been halted.

npr.orgIn the middle of a hepatitis outbreak, U.S. shutters the one CDC lab that could helpAll 27 scientists at this CDC lab were told their duties were "unnecessary," and now viral outbreak investigations have been halted
Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

Naltrexone in 🍷🍸🍺-associated liver disease ✅ Overall, safe for treatment of alcohol use disorder in this population Black box warning for chronic liver disease was REMOVED in 2013: 🚫 evidence of harm 🔑 Alcohol causes harm to the liver, naltrexone does NOT Slides: #ALD-ALLY Lamia Haque #liversky

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

As a constituent who formally worked at NIH: yes and yes.

Rep. Jamie Raskin@raskin.house.gov

Tens of thousands of my constituents devote their careers to public service. They go to work every day to help America, often passing up lucrative opportunities in the private sector. They are patriots and we should thank them, not vilify them and drive them from public service.

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

I frequently see patients with “new” cirrhosis only to find that on chart review they had low platelets/some other finding concerning for cirrhosis or liver disease often YEARS before. Thrombocytopenia should prompt a search for cirrhosis and may save lives/livers! #liversky

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

Encouraging #GISky and #liversky Fellows to apply! 📆 Apply by April 1st!

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH@blaneymd.medsky.social

👋 #liversky! Do you love the Liver Fellow Network and want to be a part of the amazing work we do? Our application for content writers is out! 📆Apply by April 1st! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... @amcollegegastro.bsky.social @amergastroassn.bsky.social @ebtapper.bsky.social

docs.google.com2025-26 LFN Content Writer ApplicationThank you for your interest in becoming a content writer for LFN! We have moved to a centralized application process. Please see our website for descriptions and examples of our series and posts, you ...
Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

Who has completely deleted their Twitter/X account? I’ve struggled to given what #MedTwitter was and the connections made. Just logged into check and was overwhelmed with xenophobia/islamaphobia/white supremacy and I cannot 🤯. Haven’t pulled the plug just yet but wow…things have gotten very 💩

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH reposted

Elliot Tapper
@ebtapper.bsky.social

Ascites is like carrying around a hot tub: Huge energy bill! 1⃣Kilocalorie= energy to 🔥1L by 1°C 2⃣Ascites=Heating ~5-10L to 36°C 24hrs/day 3⃣Energy comes from body breakdown (sarcopenia) If you⬇️ascites➡️the energy bill falls Help patients. ⬇️the ascites!!! #liversky

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH reposted

Anand V Kulkarni
@anandvkulkarni.bsky.social

After five decades, steroid dosing in AAH is revisited: Tapered prednisolone proves superior in reducing infections. #STASH trial @jasmohanbajaj.bsky.social @juanpabloarab.bsky.social @ebtapper.bsky.social @tonybreu.bsky.social @blaneymd.medsky.social journals.lww.com/ajg/abstract... #liversky

journals.lww.comInfections in Standard or Tapered Dose of Prednisolone for... : Official journal of the American College of Gastroenterology | ACGmary objective was to assess the incidence of infection by day 90. The key secondary objectives were the incidence of mortality, acute kidney injury (AKI), readmissions rate and adverse events. Metho...
Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

Having trained at a center that did a high volume of stem cell transplants, we frequently encountered NRH post-chemo and transplant. These patients do not behave like our patients w/ cirrhosis, with different plt thresholds associated with portal HTN. Carvedilol still works!

Elliot Tapper@ebtapper.bsky.social

A cascade of unnecessary tests - and their harms Patient with ALL and stem cell txp has varices But HVPG was ⬇️ So had EUS-PPG with ⬆️ HVPG but caused portal thrombosis Eventually starts carvedilol Rewind 1. Classic story for NRH 2. Found varices, pressures not needed 3. Just start coreg #liversky

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

👋 #liversky! Do you love the Liver Fellow Network and want to be a part of the amazing work we do? Our application for content writers is out! 📆Apply by April 1st! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... @amcollegegastro.bsky.social @amergastroassn.bsky.social @ebtapper.bsky.social

docs.google.com2025-26 LFN Content Writer ApplicationThank you for your interest in becoming a content writer for LFN! We have moved to a centralized application process. Please see our website for descriptions and examples of our series and posts, you ...
Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

We are so lucky to have you, Bernie! Hopefully the US can continue to work on global public health initiatives.

Senator Bernie Sanders@sanders.senate.gov

I was pleased to meet today with Dr. Tedros, head of the World Health Organization. In order to combat future pandemics there must be global cooperation. Trump’s withdrawal from the WHO puts us, and people around the world, at greater risk of preventable deaths.

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

As a hepatologist focused on alcohol-associated liver disease, I often remind my patients that the liver isn’t the only organ alcohol impacts. Alcohol use is also associated with cancer as well as brain 🧠 health As a🗺️ community, we need to do more to educate on the health consequences of alcohol!

Eric Topol@erictopol.bsky.social

What is the threshold of alcohol intake that poses health risk? A new feature @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/d41... open-access

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

I personally lean 🌱/🐟-based. My favorites are lentils and other legumes (cheap and delicious!😋 ), Greek yogurt, fish, and eggs (if available). Also: ❤️ healthy! Also, remember that many products/snacks have ⬆️ sodium including another personal favorite: 🧀 (though mozzarella and Swiss have ⬇️)

Elliot Tapper@ebtapper.bsky.social

From @usatoday.com: Some protein recommendations In #cirrhosis clinic, you need to know simple and cheap sources of protein. Eggs used to be a go-to but the world is changing #liversky

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

I saw a picture of a pregnant person getting an ultrasound and immediately thought—“I hope they give albumin.” 🤣🤦‍♀️ Note to self: conditions other than ascites and massive hepatosplenomegaly can cause abdominal distention #medsky #liversky

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

Please delve deeper into “social” drinking with your patients, especially in those with evidence of liver disease. More often than not, drinking that is considered socially acceptable is harmful to the liver. Sometimes a brief intervention/educational moment is enough to save a liver! #liversky

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

Apparently, all the residents/med students at our connected hospitals interested in GI/liver know I like research! It’s been so fun to mentor residents/students through projects—especially when they bring their own ideas! Can’t wait to continue this as an attending. #liversky #GISky #academicsky

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

Yes! 💯 Would also love to see alcohol taxed with proceeds going to fund addiction and ALD research, projects helping those hurt by addiction, treatment…

Rob Brierley@robbrierley.bsky.social

"Alcohol labels should warn of cancer risk" - new WHO report www.who.int/europe/news-... #LiverSky #MedSky @who.int

who.intAlcohol labels should warn of cancer risk, says new WHO/Europe reportCopenhagen, 14 February 2025Prominent health warning labels on alcoholic beverages are essential for raising awareness that consuming alcohol can lead to cancer. This simple and inexpensive measure ca...
Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

Us moms in medical training always feel guilty about not being good enough in either part of life—not good enough residents/fellows & not good enough as a parent. But we are. To moms in training—my 👶 is now 7 and it’s all he knows. It gets easier, the guilt is still there. I see you!

Hanna Blaney, MD, MPH
@blaneymd.medsky.social

Fantastic 📰 @liverthedream.bsky.social ✨ALD is📈prevalent! ✨Abstinence from🍸🍺 is the ONLY available tx to 🛑 progression of 🍸-related injury ✨#liversky MUST🪜up to treat AUD, 💊 are safe➕ effective @rbataller.bsky.social @juanpabloarab.bsky.social @ebtapper.bsky.social www.aasld.org/liver-fellow...

aasld.orgWhy Should We Prescribe Medications to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder? | AASLDThe prevalence of alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is increasing. Still, f ew gastroenterology (GI) and hepatology providers are prescribing medications to...