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Portal Vein Thrombosis (portal + vein_thrombosis)
Kinds of Portal Vein Thrombosis Selected AbstractsBrief Communication: No-Touch Hepatic Hilum Technique to Treat Early Portal Vein Thrombosis After Pediatric Liver TransplantationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 9 2010J. Bueno A ,no-touch' hilum technique used to treat early portal vein complications post-liver transplantation in five children with body weight <10 kg is described. Four patients developed thrombosis and one portal flow absence secondary to collateral steal flow. A vascular sheath was placed through the previous laparotomy in the ileocolic vein (n = 2), inferior mesenteric vein (n = 1) or graft umbilical vein (n = 1). Portal clots were mechanically fragmented with balloon angioplasty. In addition, coil embolization of competitive collaterals (n = 3) and stent placement (n = 1) were performed. The catheter was left in place and exteriorized through the wound (n = 2) or a different transabdominal wall puncture (n = 3). A continuous transcatheter perfusion of heparin was subsequently administered. One patient developed recurrent thrombosis 24 h later which was resolved with the same technique. Catheters were removed surgically after a mean of 10.6 days. All patients presented portal vein patency at the end of follow-up. Three patients are alive after 5 months, 1.5 and 3.5 years, respectively; one patient required retransplantation 18 days postprocedure and the remaining patient died of adenovirus infection 2 months postprocedure. In conclusion, treatment of early portal vein complications following pediatric liver transplantation with this novel technique is feasible and effective. [source] Eversion Thrombectomy for Portal Vein Thrombosis During Liver TransplantationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 10 2002Jérôme Dumortier Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) has been seen as an obstacle to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), but recent data suggest that favorable results may be achieved in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence, management, and survival of patients with PVT undergoing primary OLT with thrombectomy. Between October 1990 and August 2000, 468 liver transplantations were performed in our center and portal vein thrombosis was present in 38 patients (8.1%). Preoperative diagnosis, extension, intraoperative management, postoperative recurrence of portal vein thrombosis, and 1-year actuarial survival rates were retrospectively studied. Preoperative diagnosis was made in 17 cases (44.7%). In all patients, portal flow was restored after portal vein thrombectomy, followed by usual end-to-end portal anastomosis. All patients received preventive low-weight heparin from day 2 to hospital discharge, and then aspirin. Rethrombosis was observed in one patient with extended splanchnic thrombus. The 1-year actuarial patient survival rate was 83.7%, and did not significantly differ from the patients without portal vein thrombosis (86.7%). Our results suggest that portal vein thrombosis is often partial and thus difficult to diagnose preoperatively; it can be managed successfully during surgery by thrombectomy, except when there is complete splanchnic veins thrombosis; and it did not affect 1-year survival. [source] Portal vein thrombosis in ulcerative colitis complicated by bleeding from gastric varicesINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 3 2007Julia Palkovits MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] Systematic review: portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosisALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2010E. A. TSOCHATZIS Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 366-374 Summary Background, As current imaging techniques in cirrhosis allow detection of asymptomatic portal vein thrombosis during routine ultrasonography, more patients with cirrhosis are diagnosed with portal vein thrombosis. Although a consensus on noncirrhotic extra-hepatic portal vein thrombosis has been published, no such consensus exists for portal vein thrombosis with cirrhosis. Aim, To perform a systematic review of nonmalignant portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis in terms of prevalence, pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical course and management. Methods, Studies were identified by a search strategy using MEDLINE and EMBASE. Results, Portal vein thrombosis is encountered in 10,25% of cirrhotics. In terms of pathophysiology, cirrhosis is no longer considered a hypocoagulable state; rather than a bleeding risk in cirrhosis, various clinical studies support a thrombotic potential. Clinical findings of portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis vary from asymptomatic disease to a life-threatening condition at first presentation. Optimal management of portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis is currently not addressed in any consensus publication. Treatment strategies most often include the use of anticoagulation, while thrombectomy and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts are considered second-line options. Conclusions, Portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis has many unresolved issues, which are often the critical problems clinicians encounter in their everyday practice. We propose a possible research agenda to address these unresolved issues. [source] Review article: the modern management of portal vein thrombosisALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 9 2009Y. CHAWLA Summary Background, Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is an important cause of portal hypertension. It may occur as such with or without associated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Information on its management is scanty. Aim, To provide an update on the modern management of portal vein thrombosis. Information on portal vein thrombosis in patients with and without cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma is also updated. Methods, A pubmed search was performed to identify the literature using search items portal vein thrombosis-aetiology and treatment and portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Results, Portal vein thrombosis occurs because of local inflammatory conditions in the abdomen and prothrombotic factors. Acute portal vein thrombosis is usually symptomatic when associated with cirrhosis and/or superior mesenteric vein thrombosis. Anticoagulation should be given for 3,6 months if detected early. If prothrombotic factors are identified, anticoagulation should be given lifelong. Chronic portal vein thrombosis usually presents with well tolerated upper gastrointestinal bleed. It is diagnosed by imaging, which demonstrates a portal cavernoma in place of a portal vein. Anticoagulation does not have a definite role, but bleeds can be treated with endotherapy or shunt surgery. Rarely liver transplantation may be considered. Conclusion, Role of anticoagulation in chronic portal vein thrombosis needs to be further studied. [source] Review article: portal vein thrombosis , new insights into aetiology and managementALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2005G. J. M. Webster Summary Portal vein thrombosis may occur in the presence or absence of underlying liver disease, and a combination of local and systemic factors are increasingly recognized to be important in its development. Acute and chronic portal vein thrombosis have traditionally been considered separately, although a clear clinical distinction may be difficult. Gastrooesophageal varices are an important complication of portal vein thrombosis, but they follow a different natural history to those with portal hypertension related to cirrhosis. Consensus on optimal treatment continues to be hampered by a lack of randomized trials, but recent studies demonstrate the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy in acute thrombosis, and the apparent safety and benefit of anticoagulation in patients with chronic portal vein thrombosis. [source] Portal vein thrombosis and survival in patients with cirrhosisLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2010Michael J. Englesbe The effects of occlusive portal vein thrombosis (PVT) on the survival of patients with cirrhosis are unknown. This was a retrospective cohort study at a single center. The main exposure variable was the presence of occlusive PVT. The primary outcome measure was time-dependent mortality. A total of 3295 patients were analyzed, and 148 (4.5%) had PVT. Variables independently predictive of mortality from the time of liver transplant evaluation included age [hazard ratio (HR), 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.03], Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.08-1.11), hepatitis C (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.24-1.68), and PVT (HR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.97-3.51). Variables independently associated with the risk of mortality from the time of liver transplant listing included age (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03), transplantation (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.50-0.81), MELD (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.10), hepatitis C (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.18-1.90), and PVT (1.99; 95% CI, 1.25-3.16). The presence of occlusive PVT at the time of liver transplantation was associated with an increased risk of death at 30 days (odds ratio, 7.39; 95% CI, 2.39-22.83). In conclusion, patients with cirrhosis complicated by PVT have an increased risk of death. Liver Transpl 16:83,90, 2010. © 2009 AASLD. [source] Eversion Thrombectomy for Portal Vein Thrombosis During Liver TransplantationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 10 2002Jérôme Dumortier Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) has been seen as an obstacle to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), but recent data suggest that favorable results may be achieved in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence, management, and survival of patients with PVT undergoing primary OLT with thrombectomy. Between October 1990 and August 2000, 468 liver transplantations were performed in our center and portal vein thrombosis was present in 38 patients (8.1%). Preoperative diagnosis, extension, intraoperative management, postoperative recurrence of portal vein thrombosis, and 1-year actuarial survival rates were retrospectively studied. Preoperative diagnosis was made in 17 cases (44.7%). In all patients, portal flow was restored after portal vein thrombectomy, followed by usual end-to-end portal anastomosis. All patients received preventive low-weight heparin from day 2 to hospital discharge, and then aspirin. Rethrombosis was observed in one patient with extended splanchnic thrombus. The 1-year actuarial patient survival rate was 83.7%, and did not significantly differ from the patients without portal vein thrombosis (86.7%). Our results suggest that portal vein thrombosis is often partial and thus difficult to diagnose preoperatively; it can be managed successfully during surgery by thrombectomy, except when there is complete splanchnic veins thrombosis; and it did not affect 1-year survival. [source] Interventional treatment should be incorporated in the algorithm for the management of patients with portal vein thrombosis,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Marco Senzolo No abstract is available for this article. [source] Upper digestive bleeding in cirrhosis.HEPATOLOGY, Issue 3 2003Post-therapeutic outcome, prognostic indicators Several treatments have been proven to be effective for variceal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this multicenter, prospective, cohort study was to assess how these treatments are used in clinical practice and what are the posttherapeutic prognosis and prognostic indicators of upper digestive bleeding in patients with cirrhosis. A training set of 291 and a test set of 174 bleeding cirrhotic patients were included. Treatment was according to the preferences of each center and the follow-up period was 6 weeks. Predictive rules for 5-day failure (uncontrolled bleeding, rebleeding, or death) and 6-week mortality were developed by the logistic model in the training set and validated in the test set. Initial treatment controlled bleeding in 90% of patients, including vasoactive drugs in 27%, endoscopic therapy in 10%, combined (endoscopic and vasoactive) in 45%, balloon tamponade alone in 1%, and none in 17%. The 5-day failure rate was 13%, 6-week rebleeding was 17%, and mortality was 20%. Corresponding findings for variceal versus nonvariceal bleeding were 15% versus 7% (P = .034), 19% versus 10% (P = .019), and 20% versus 15% (P = .22). Active bleeding on endoscopy, hematocrit levels, aminotransferase levels, Child-Pugh class, and portal vein thrombosis were significant predictors of 5-day failure; alcohol-induced etiology, bilirubin, albumin, encephalopathy, and hepatocarcinoma were predictors of 6-week mortality. Prognostic reassessment including blood transfusions improved the predictive accuracy. All the developed prognostic models were superior to the Child-Pugh score. In conclusion, prognosis of digestive bleeding in cirrhosis has much improved over the past 2 decades. Initial treatment stops bleeding in 90% of patients. Accurate predictive rules are provided for early recognition of high-risk patients. [source] Evaluation of newly developed combination therapy of intra-arterial 5-fluorouracil and systemic pegylated interferon ,-2b for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal venous invasion: preliminary resultsHEPATOLOGY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2009Kazuhiro Kasai Aim:, Prognosis is extremely poor for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with portal invasion. The present study evaluated the efficacy of combined intra-arterial 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and systemic pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN),-2b in patients with advanced HCC. Methods:, The subjects comprised nine HCC patients with portal vein thrombosis treated using subcutaneous administration of PEG-IFN,-2b (50,100 µg on day 1 of every week, for 4 weeks) and intra-arterial infusion of 5-FU (250 mg/day for 5 h on days 1,5 of every week, for 4 weeks). For four patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, oral administration of ribavirin (400,800 mg/day) was added. At the end of every cycle, response to therapy was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) guidelines. Results:, Partial response (PR) was observed in seven of nine patients, with stable or progressive disease in the remaining two patients. Tumors were resectable in three patients displaying PR after treatment. Tumor markers decreased significantly after therapy. Serum HCV-RNA titers were markedly decreased and became undetectable in all patients with HCV infection. National Cancer Institute,Common Toxicity Criteria: version 3.0 (NCI-CTC) grade 3 thrombocytopenia was seen in one case at the end of treatment, but was resolved with cessation of treatment. Other adverse effects were manageable. Conclusion:, Combination therapy with intra-arterial 5-FU and systemic PEG-IFN,-2b may be useful as a palliative treatment for patients with advanced HCC. A prospective controlled trial using a larger population of patients with advanced HCC is needed to evaluate this new combination therapy. [source] Nonoperative therapies for combined modality treatment of hepatocellular cancer: expert consensus statementHPB, Issue 5 2010Roderich E. Schwarz Abstract Although surgical resection and liver transplantation are the only treatment modalities that enable prolonged survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the majority of HCC patients presents with advanced disease and do not undergo resective or ablative therapy. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is indicated in intermediate/advanced stage unresectable HCC even in the setting of portal vein involvement (excluding main portal vein). Sorafenib has been shown to improve survival of patients with advanced HCC in two controlled randomized trials. Yttrium 90 is a safe microembolization treatment that can be used as an alternative to TACE in patients with advanced liver only disease or in case of portal vein thrombosis. External beam radiation can be helpful to provide local control in selected unresectable HCC. These different treatment modalities may be combined in the treatment strategy of HCC and also used as a bridge to resection or liver transplantation. Patients should undergo formal multidisciplinary evaluation prior to initiating any such treatment in order to individualize the best available options. [source] Should we give thromboprophylaxis to patients with liver cirrhosis and coagulopathy?HPB, Issue 6 2009Marco Senzolo Abstract Patients with liver cirrhosis are characterized by decreased synthesis of both pro- and anticoagulant factors, and recently there has been evidence of normal generation of thrombin resulting in a near normal haemostatic balance. Although it is generally recognized that bleeding is the most common clinical manifestation as a result of decreased platelet function and number, diminished clotting factors and excessive fibrinolysis, hypercoagulability may play an under recognized but important role in many aspects of chronic liver disease. In fact, they can encounter thrombotic complications such as portal vein thrombosis, occlusion of small intrahepatic vein branches and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In particular, patients with cirrhosis appear to have a higher incidence of unprovoked DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE) compared with the general population. In dedicated studies, the incidence of DVT/PE ranges from 0.5% to 1.9%, similar to patients without comorbidities, but lower than patients with other chronic diseases (i.e, renal or heart disease). Surprisingly, standard coagulation laboratory parameters are not associated with a risk of developing DVT/PE; however, with multivariate analysis, serum albumin level was independently associated with the occurrence of thrombosis. Moreover, patients with chronic liver disease share the same risk factors as the general population for DVT/PE, and specifically, liver resection can unbalance the haemostatic equilibrium towards a hypercoagulable state. Current guidelines on antithrombotic prophylaxis do not specifically comment on the cirrhotic population as a result of the perceived risk of bleeding complications but the cirrhotic patient should not be considered as an auto-anticoagulated patient. Therefore, thromboprophylaxis should be recommended in patients with liver cirrhosis at least when exposed to high-risk conditions for thrombotic complications. Low molecular weight heparins (LWMHs) seem to be relatively safe in this group of patients; however, when important risk factors for bleeding are present, graduated compression stockings or intermittent pneumatic compression should be considered. [source] Surgical portosystemic shunts and the Rex bypass in children: a single-centre experienceHPB, Issue 3 2009Sukru Emre Abstract Objectives:, This study aimed to illustrate the indications for, and types and outcomes of surgical portosystemic shunt (PSS) and/or Rex bypass in a single centre. Methods:, Data were collected from children with a PSS and/or Rex bypass between 1992 and 2006 at Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York. Results:, Median age at surgery was 10.7 years (range 0.3,22.0 years). Indications included: (i) refractory gastrointestinal bleeding in portal hypertension associated with (a) compensated cirrhosis (n= 12), (b) portal vein thrombosis (n= 10), (c) hepatoportal sclerosis (n= 3); (ii) refractory ascites secondary to Budd,Chiari syndrome (n= 3), and (iii) familial hypercholesterolaemia (n= 4). There were 20 distal splenorenal, four portacaval, three Rex bypass, two mesocaval, two mesoatrial and one proximal splenorenal shunts. At the last follow-up (median 2.9 years, range 0.1,14.1 years), one shunt (Rex bypass) was thrombosed. Two patients had died and two had required a liver transplant. These had a patent shunt at last imaging prior to death or transplant. Conclusions:, Portosystemic shunts and Rex bypass have been used to manage portal hypertension with excellent outcomes. In selected children with compensated liver disease, PSS may act as a bridge to liver transplantation or represent an attractive alternative. [source] Techniques of orthotopic liver transplantationHPB, Issue 2 2004L Lladó Background Throughout the history of liver transplantation many improvements have been made in the field of surgical technique. It is beyond the scope of this paper to review all aspects of surgical technique in liver transplantation; thus, in this review we focus on the description of our current technique in most cases, which is orthotopic liver transplantation with preservation of the inferior vena cava and temporary portocaval shunt. We advocate this technique because it has been demonstrated that it achieves better haemodynamic stability during the anhepatic phase, transfusion can be reduced and renal function is improved. The different options for vascular anastomoses are described, particularly the options for arterial anastomoses in case of finding a non-adequate recipient hepatic artery. Technical possibilities for patients with preoperative portal vein thrombosis and the procedure in case of domino or sequential liver transplantation are further explained. [source] Expandable metal stents in chronic pancreatitisHPB, Issue 1 2003JJ French Background Biliary obstruction in chronic pancreatitis may be relieved by the insertion of a biliary endoprosthesis. Stenting is usually achieved with a plastic device, but self-expandable metal stents may also be used. Case outlines Two patients are described with severe chronic pancreatitis complicated by biliary obstruction and portal vein thrombosis, who underwent insertion of metallic biliary endoprostheses. In both patients the endoprostheses became occluded, at 12 and 7 months respectively, which necessitated open operation. Both patients experienced surgical complications and one patient died postoperatively. Discussion The use of metal endoprostheses in chronic pancreatitis may result in occlusion, necessitating open operation. Such stents should be used with caution in these patients, who are likely to be high-risk surgical candidates. [source] Hepatopancreatobiliary manifestations and complications associated with inflammatory bowel diseaseINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 9 2010Udayakumar Navaneethan MD Abstract Abstract: Diseases involving the hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) system are frequently encountered in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Hepatobiliary manifestations constitute some of the most common extraintestinal manifestations of IBD. They appear to occur with similar frequency in patients with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. HPB manifestations may occur in following settings: 1) disease possibly associated with a shared pathogenetic mechanism with IBD including primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), small-duct PSC/pericholangitis and PSC/autoimmune hepatitis overlap, acute and chronic pancreatitis related to IBD; 2) diseases which parallel structural and physiological changes seen with IBD, including cholelithiasis, portal vein thrombosis, and hepatic abscess; and 3) diseases related to adverse effects associated with treatment of IBD, including drug-induced hepatitis, pancreatitis (purine-based agents), or liver cirrhosis (methotrexate), and reactivation of hepatitis B, and biologic agent-associated hepatosplenic lymphoma. Less common HPB manifestations that have been described in association with IBD include autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), IgG4-associated cholangitis (IAC), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), fatty liver, granulomatous hepatitis, and amyloidosis. PSC is the most significant hepatobiliary manifestation associated with IBD and poses substantial challenges in management requiring a multidisciplinary approach. The natural disease course of PSC may progress to cirrhosis and ultimately require liver transplantation in spite of total proctocolectomy with ileal-pouch anal anastomosis. The association between AIP, IAC, and elevated serum IgG4 in patients with PSC is intriguing. The recently reported association between IAC and IBD may open the door to investigate these complex disorders. Further studies are warranted to help understand the pathogenesis of HPB manifestations associated with IBD, which would help clinicians better manage these patients. An interdisciplinary approach, involving gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and, in advanced cases, general, colorectal, and transplant surgeons is advocated. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010) [source] Role of coagulation in the natural history and treatment of portal vein thrombosisJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 6 2001Harry L.A. Janssen No abstract is available for this article. [source] Patients with stable uncomplicated cirrhosis have normal neutrophil functionJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 11 2000Richard Kirsch Abstract Background: Neutrophil function has been reported to be abnormal in patients with cirrhosis. In order to evaluate the relative contribution of hepatocellular dysfunction and portalsystemic shunting of blood to these abnormalities, neutrophil function was studied in 18 patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Nine patients, with extrahepatic portal hypertension (EPH) caused by portal vein thrombosis, who had no clinical, biochemical or histologic evidence of liver disease were also studied. Methods: Superoxide generation, phagocytosis, degranulation, leukotriene B4 release, candidacidal activity and quantitative and qualitative expression of the cell surface adhesive marker CD11b/CD18 were measured in these patients as well as in age- and gender-matched controls. Results: Patients with cirrhosis were found to have a small but statistically significant decrease in the expression of the CD18 component of MAC1 in N -formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-stimulated neutrophils (P = 0.04). No significant differences were found between either of the two patient groups and the control group for any of the other parameters of neutrophil function tested. Conclusions: These were unexpected findings in the light of data published elsewhere, which indicate impaired neutrophil function in patients with cirrhosis. The study suggests that patients with stable, uncomplicated cirrhosis and patients with EPH have normal neutrophil function. [source] Multidetector CT portal venography in evaluation of portosystemic collateral vesselsJOURNAL OF MEDICAL IMAGING AND RADIATION ONCOLOGY, Issue 1 2008A Agarwal Summary This essay shows the usefulness of multidetector CT angiography for evaluation of the splenoportal venous system, which is essential in the management of patients with portal hypertension and its complications, such as portal vein thrombosis. By providing scanning with reconstruction of thin axial source images and reformatting into thicker multiplanar reformats, multidetector CT can help to determine the extent and location of portosystemic collateral vessels in patients with portal hypertension and is probably the optimal imaging technique in this setting. [source] Macronodular hepatic tuberculosis associated with portal vein thrombosis and portal hypertensionJOURNAL OF MEDICAL IMAGING AND RADIATION ONCOLOGY, Issue 4 2005SK Venkatesh Summary Tuberculosis (TB) of the liver is usually associated with miliary spread. Macronodular TB of the liver is rare. A case of macronodular TB of the liver in a 31-year-old woman causing portal vein thrombosis and portal hypertension is presented. Ultrasound and CT appearances are described. There was coexistent ileo-caecal TB with extensive mesenteric and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. Macronodular TB should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a patient presents with multiple calcified masses in the liver with portal vein thrombosis and portal hypertension. [source] Ascites in patients with noncirrhotic nonmalignant extrahepatic portal vein thrombosisALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 4 2010M. C. W. Spaander Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 529,534 Summary Background, The clinical significance of ascites in patients with extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis (EPVT) has been poorly defined. Aims, To assess the frequency, natural history and prognostic implication of ascites in patients with EPVT and to identify risk factors for this complication. Methods, A single-centre retrospective study of consecutive patients diagnosed with noncirrhotic nonmalignant EPVT between 1985 and 2009. Results, One hundred and three patients [35% males; median age 43 (range 16,83) years] were included and followed up for a median time of 5.2 (range 0.9,32.5) years. Twenty-nine (28%) had ascites at the time of diagnosis. Overall survival was 91% at 5 years vs. 80% at 10 years. Survival in patients presenting with and without ascites was 83% vs. 95% at 5 years and 42% vs. 87% at 10 years (P = <0.01). There was no correlation between the presence of ascites and extension of the thrombus into the large splanchnic veins, duration of thrombosis or presence of gastrointestinal bleeding. Conclusions, Ascites is present in a quarter of patients presenting with noncirrhotic nonmalignant extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis. Ascites is a significant and independent prognostic factor and it is associated with a decreased long-term survival. [source] Systematic review: portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosisALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2010E. A. TSOCHATZIS Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 366-374 Summary Background, As current imaging techniques in cirrhosis allow detection of asymptomatic portal vein thrombosis during routine ultrasonography, more patients with cirrhosis are diagnosed with portal vein thrombosis. Although a consensus on noncirrhotic extra-hepatic portal vein thrombosis has been published, no such consensus exists for portal vein thrombosis with cirrhosis. Aim, To perform a systematic review of nonmalignant portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis in terms of prevalence, pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical course and management. Methods, Studies were identified by a search strategy using MEDLINE and EMBASE. Results, Portal vein thrombosis is encountered in 10,25% of cirrhotics. In terms of pathophysiology, cirrhosis is no longer considered a hypocoagulable state; rather than a bleeding risk in cirrhosis, various clinical studies support a thrombotic potential. Clinical findings of portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis vary from asymptomatic disease to a life-threatening condition at first presentation. Optimal management of portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis is currently not addressed in any consensus publication. Treatment strategies most often include the use of anticoagulation, while thrombectomy and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts are considered second-line options. Conclusions, Portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis has many unresolved issues, which are often the critical problems clinicians encounter in their everyday practice. We propose a possible research agenda to address these unresolved issues. [source] Review article: the modern management of portal vein thrombosisALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 9 2009Y. CHAWLA Summary Background, Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is an important cause of portal hypertension. It may occur as such with or without associated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Information on its management is scanty. Aim, To provide an update on the modern management of portal vein thrombosis. Information on portal vein thrombosis in patients with and without cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma is also updated. Methods, A pubmed search was performed to identify the literature using search items portal vein thrombosis-aetiology and treatment and portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Results, Portal vein thrombosis occurs because of local inflammatory conditions in the abdomen and prothrombotic factors. Acute portal vein thrombosis is usually symptomatic when associated with cirrhosis and/or superior mesenteric vein thrombosis. Anticoagulation should be given for 3,6 months if detected early. If prothrombotic factors are identified, anticoagulation should be given lifelong. Chronic portal vein thrombosis usually presents with well tolerated upper gastrointestinal bleed. It is diagnosed by imaging, which demonstrates a portal cavernoma in place of a portal vein. Anticoagulation does not have a definite role, but bleeds can be treated with endotherapy or shunt surgery. Rarely liver transplantation may be considered. Conclusion, Role of anticoagulation in chronic portal vein thrombosis needs to be further studied. [source] Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization vs. chemoinfusion for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with major portal vein thrombosisALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 12 2009J. H. KIM Summary Background, Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been limited in palliative treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with major portal vein (PV) invasion due to the possibility of liver failure following embolization. Transcatheter arterial chemoinfusion (TACI) has been an option in such cases. Aim To compare clinical outcomes after TACE vs. TACI in HCC patients with major PV occlusion. Methods, We compared clinical outcomes after TACE vs. TACI in HCC patients with major PV occlusion. From 2005 to 2007, 110 HCC patients with major PV thrombosis were treated with TACE (n = 49) or TACI (n = 61). Results, The morbidity rate was similar for both TACE (6.1%) and TACI (6.5%) patients, and complications were adequately managed using medical treatment. The Kaplan,Meier survival analysis showed that the survival period was significantly longer for the TACE group (median: 14.9 months) than for the TACI (median: 4.4 months) group (P < 0.001). There was a higher probability of death in the TACI group than in the TACE group in both our multivariate Cox-proportional hazards (OR 3.09, P < 0.001) and the propensity score-matched (27 pairs) cohort analyses (OR 2.27, P = 0.024). Conclusions, Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization can be safely performed in HCC patients with main PV occlusion. Compared with TACI, TACE may result in longer survival of HCC patients with major PV occlusion. [source] Survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis: a comparison of BCLC, CLIP and GRETCH staging systemsALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2008C. CAMMÀ Summary Background, A major problem in assessing the likelihood of survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arises from a lack of models capable of predicting outcome accurately. Aim, To compare the ability of the Italian score (CLIP), the French classification (GRETCH) and the Barcelona (BCLC) staging system in predicting survival in patients with HCC. Methods, We included 406 consecutive patients with cirrhosis and HCC. Seventy-eight per cent of patients had hepatitis C. Independent predictors of survival were identified using the Cox model. Results, One-hundred and seventy-eight patients were treated, while 228 were untreated. The observed mortality was 60.1% in treated patients and 84.9% in untreated patients. Among treated patients, albumin, bilirubin and performance status were the only independent variables significantly associated with survival. Mortality was independently predicted by bilirubin, alpha-fetoprotein and portal vein thrombosis in untreated patients. CLIP achieved the best discriminative capacity in the entire HCC cohort and in the advanced untreatable cases, while BCLC was the ablest in predicting survival in treated patients. Conclusions, Overall predictive ability of BCLC, CLIP and GRETCH staging systems was not satisfactory, and was not uniform for treated patients and untreated patients. None of the scoring systems provided confident prediction of survival in individual patients. [source] Budd-Chiari syndrome in Sweden: epidemiology, clinical characteristics and survival , an 18-year experienceLIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2009Rupesh Rajani Abstract Background: The exact incidence and prevalence of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is unknown in the general population. Published reports differ in terms of the clinical characteristics, effects of therapy and survival. Aims: To investigate the epidemiology, clinical presentation and survival in patients with BCS. Methods: Retrospective multicentre study in Sweden reviewing the medical records of all patients with BCS 1986,2003, identified from the computerised diagnosis database of 11 hospitals, including all university hospitals and liver transplantation centres. Results: Forty-three patients with BCS were identified, of whom nine (21%) had concomitant portal vein thrombosis. The mean age-standardised incidence and prevalence rates in 1990,2001 were calculated to be 0.8 per million per year and 1.4 per million inhabitants respectively. Myeloproliferative disorders (38%), thrombophilic factors (31%) and oral contraceptives (30%) were common aetiological factors. Two or more risk factors were present in 44%. In 23%, no risk factor was evident. The median follow-up time was 2.7 years. Seventy-two percent were on anticoagulant therapy during follow-up. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting, surgical shunting procedures and liver transplantation were performed in 4, 6 and 18 patients respectively. Nineteen patients died. The overall transplantation-free survival at 1, 5 and 10 years was 47, 28 and 17% respectively. Conclusions: Budd-Chiari syndrome is a rare disorder; the mean age-standardised incidence and prevalence rates in Sweden in 1990,2001 were calculated to be 0.8 per million per year and 1.4 per million inhabitants respectively. The presence of a myeloproliferative disorder was a common aetiological factor in our cohort and about half of the patients had a multifactorial aetiology. The transplantation-free survival was poor. [source] Review article: portal vein thrombosis , new insights into aetiology and managementALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2005G. J. M. Webster Summary Portal vein thrombosis may occur in the presence or absence of underlying liver disease, and a combination of local and systemic factors are increasingly recognized to be important in its development. Acute and chronic portal vein thrombosis have traditionally been considered separately, although a clear clinical distinction may be difficult. Gastrooesophageal varices are an important complication of portal vein thrombosis, but they follow a different natural history to those with portal hypertension related to cirrhosis. Consensus on optimal treatment continues to be hampered by a lack of randomized trials, but recent studies demonstrate the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy in acute thrombosis, and the apparent safety and benefit of anticoagulation in patients with chronic portal vein thrombosis. [source] Outcome of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma referred to a tertiary centre with availability of multiple treatment options including cadaveric liver transplantationLIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 9 2007John F. Perry Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary cancer of the liver with an established causal link to viral hepatitis and other forms of chronic liver disease. Aims: The aim of this study was to analyse the determinants of outcome in patients with HCC referred to a tertiary centre for management. Method: Two hundred and thirty-five prospective patients with HCC and minimum 12-month follow-up were studied. Results: The cohort was heterogeneous, with 52% Caucasian, 40% Asian and 5% of Middle-Eastern origin. Independent predictors of outcome included tumour size and number, the presence of ascites or portal vein thrombosis, ,-foetoprotein >50 U/L and an impaired performance status. Treatment was determined on an individual case basis by a multidisciplinary tumour team. Surgical resection was primary treatment in 43 patients, liver transplantation in 40 patients, local ablation (percutaneous radiofrequency ablation or alcohol injection) in 33 patients, transarterial chemoembolisation in 33 patients, chemotherapy or other systemic therapy in 30 patients and no treatment in 56 patients. After adjustment for significant covariates, both liver transplantation (P<0.001) and surgical resection (P=0.029) had a significant effect on patient survival compared with no treatment, but local ablation (P=0.410) and chemoembolisation (P=0.831) did not. Liver transplantation resulted in superior overall and, in particular, disease-free survival compared with surgical resection (disease-free survival 84 vs 15% at 5 years). Conclusion: In conclusion, both surgical resection and liver transplantation significantly improve the survival of patients with HCC, but improvements need to be made to the delivery of loco-regional therapy to enhance its effectiveness. [source] Study of portal vein thrombosis in patients with idiopathic portal hypertension in JapanLIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2005Shoichi Matsutani Abstract: Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to elucidate the incidence and clinical manifestations of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients with idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) in Japan during long-term follow-up. Patients and Methods: Twenty-two patients with IPH were examined for PVT by sonography during a follow-up of 12±6 years. Clinical manifestations and patient outcome related to PVT were studied. Seventy patients with liver cirrhosis were examined by sonography as an incidence control of thrombosis. Results: Nine IPH patients had portal thrombosis (9/22, 41%), a higher incidence than in liver cirrhosis patients (7/70, 10%). Those with thrombosis showed ascites, marked hypersplenism, and low serum albumin. Four patients with thrombosis died. Patients without thrombosis showed less clinical problems after long-term follow-up. Plasma antithrombin III and protein C activity decreased in almost half of the patients. However, there were no differences in these parameters between patients with and without thrombosis. Conclusions: In Japan, IPH patients had a high incidence of portal thrombosis, a significant factor for poor prognosis. Whether the management of PVT contributes to an improvement of a clinical course of IPH or not should be clarified in further study. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||