Increased platelet ratio in patients with decompensated cirrhosis indicates a higher risk of portal vein thrombosis.

Abstract

Patients with decompensated cirrhosis are at risk of portal vein thrombosis (PVT). We prospectively investigated whether alterations of platelet aggregation can predict PVT in decompensated cirrhosis. At baseline, all patients underwent whole-blood aggregometry (Multiplate®) to assess ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Aggregometry results were expressed as the ratio between platelet aggregation and platelet count (PLT ratio). Then, patients with cirrhosis were prospectively followed for 1year for PVT development. One-hundred and twenty-eight patients with decompensated cirrhosis were included (Child-Pugh A/B/C 12/39/49%). The cumulative incidence of PVT was 14%. On multivariate analysis, the PLT ratio (OR 4.5, 95% CI 2.63-7.67; p < .0001) and Child-Pugh C versus A/B (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.18-14.80; p=.03) were independently associated with PVT. The discriminative ability of the PLT ratio was higher than Child-Pugh (AUC 0.92 vs 0.70, p < .0001). A PLT ratio > 0.75 had 83% sensitivity and 84% specificity for PVT. In conclusion, the PLT ratio by Multiplate® seems a promising thrombotic biomarker in decompensated cirrhosis.