Management of Portal Vein Thrombosis in Cirrhosis

Matthew J. Stotts; Brian J. Wentworth; Patrick G. Northup

doi:10.1055/s-0040-1722260

Seminars in Liver Disease, Table of Contents

Semin Liver Dis 2021; 41(01): 079-086
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1722260

Review Article

Management of Portal Vein Thrombosis in Cirrhosis

Matthew J. Stotts

¹Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UVA Center for the Study of Hemostasis and Thrombosis in Liver Disease, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia

,

Brian J. Wentworth

¹Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UVA Center for the Study of Hemostasis and Thrombosis in Liver Disease, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia

,

Patrick G. Northup

¹Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, UVA Center for the Study of Hemostasis and Thrombosis in Liver Disease, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

While portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a frequently encountered complication in the cirrhosis population, its management can be challenging for even the most experienced clinicians. Multiple factors must be considered with regards to management, including the degree of underlying portal hypertension and liver dysfunction, risks of therapies including anticoagulation and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt placement, and extent of the thrombosis. Interpreting the available literature to determine the best treatment strategy for any individual patient can be especially challenging given the lack of prospective, randomized controlled trials and the heterogeneity of cohorts studied. This review will provide an overview of PVT in the cirrhosis population, including necessary steps in evaluation and the potential benefits and drawbacks of different treatment approaches.

Keywords

anticoagulation - TIPS - liver transplantation - mesenteric veins - portal hypertension

Full Text

References

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