CD163 and endothelial dysfunction: Markers of bacterial translocation (sCD163; <i>p</i> = 0.001), (dys)angiogenesis/endothelial dysfunction (Ang2; <i>p</i> = 0.001) and SI (IFNγ, IL-1RA, sCD25/IL-2Rα, CCL3/MIP-1alpha, HGF; all <i>p</i> <0.05) decreased in responders but not in non-responders.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Significant HVPG decreases accompanied by improvement of bacterial translocation, (dys)angiogenesis/endothelial dysfunction and SI are observed in patients with CHD achieving BLV response.