Q. A 45-year-old male patient is admitted to the hospital with complaints of fatigue, abdominal pain, and jaundice. His past medical history reveals a long-standing history of alcohol abuse, with a reported daily intake of one liter of whiskey for the past 10 years. The patient also has a history of tobacco use and is a former smoker. Medications at the time of admission include over-the-counter pain relievers and no other prescription medications. Social history reveals that the patient is divorced and lives alone. He is unemployed and has a history of financial difficulties. Vital signs on admission reveal a blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg, a heart rate of 80/min, and a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit). The patient's oxygen saturation is found to be 96 percent on room air. The patient has jaundiced skin and eyes, as well as a palpable liver. Laboratory values show elevated liver enzymes, with an AST of 600 U/L and an ALT of 800 U/L. The patient's bilirubin level is also elevated at 8 mg/dL. Additionally, the patient's INR is elevated at 1.8. An ultrasound of the patient's abdomen (see image) reveals a diffusely enlarged liver with evidence of cirrhosis. Additionally, there is evidence of portal hypertension, with splenomegaly and ascites. Based on the patient's history, examination findings, laboratory values, and imaging results, which of the following is the LEAST likely complication of his diagnosis?