Semin Liver Dis 2008; 28(3): 293-301
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1085097
© Thieme Medical Publishers

The Role of Thrombophilia in Splanchnic Vein Thrombosis

Massimo Primignani1 , Pier Mannuccio Mannucci2
  • 1Gastroenterology 3 Unit, Milan, Italy
  • 2Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center, University of Milan and IRCCS Maggiore Hospital, Mangiagalli and Regina Elena Foundation, Milan, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 September 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

In the last few years, the mechanistic role of thrombophilia due to hypercoagulability and of clonal disorders of hemopoiesis such as chromosome Philadelphia-negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders has been increasingly recognized in primary splanchnic vein thrombosis. As in deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs, the frequent finding of several prothrombotic disorders in the same individual has led to the concept of primary splanchnic vein thrombosis as a multifactorial disease. Significant progress has been made in determining the molecular bases of inherited thrombophilia, and particularly in the identification of molecular markers of clonal disease in the so-called occult or latent myeloproliferative disorders. In this review article, the authors discuss the current knowledge on the role of thrombophilia in extrahepatic portal vein obstruction and in the Budd–Chiari syndrome, two of the most clinically relevant splanchnic vein thromboses.

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Massimo PrimignaniM.D. 

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Email: massimo.primignani@policlinico.mi.it