Recurrent Portal Vein Thrombosis Research Articles

Recurrent Portal Vein Thrombosis In Liver Transplantation With Renoportal Anastomosis Caused by Spontaneous Reno-Caval Shunts: A Case Report

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in patients with cirrhosis complicated by portal hypertension, portosystemic shunts, and chronic portal vein thrombosis (PVT) has long been challenging. Spontaneous spleno-renal shunts (SRS) allow new surgical techniques to restore portal vein patency and hepatopetal flow. Renoportal anastomosis (RPA) has emerged as an accepted method for transplanting these patients, with good long-term patient and graft survival. Orthotopic liver transplantation with RPA is known to be complicated by recurrent PVT, with few details discussed in the literature. We present a case of a 56-year-old woman with decompensated cirrhosis who underwent deceased donor whole graft OLT using RPA with iliac vein conduit. The postoperative course was complicated by occlusive thrombosis in the portal vein and iliac vein conduit. Venography revealed enlarged left gonadal and lumbar vein varices acting as reno-caval shunts with hepatofugal flow. Embolization of the varices re-established durable venous patency that was confirmed on post-transplant day 68 with no other hemodynamic complications. This showcases an interesting mechanism by which recurrent PVT may occur in patients undergoing OLT with RPA. Because durable portal vein patency can be achieved with Interventional Radiology embolization of reno-caval varices, assessing these communications is an important preoperative consideration for planned OLT with RPA.

Protein C in a patient with portal vein thrombosis in liver transplantation

Background. The problem of thromboses, including those associated with impaired hemostasis system, is relevant in orthotopic liver transplantation.Aim. To present the experience of intraoperative use of protein C during orthotopic liver transplantation in a patient with a high risk of recurrent portal vein thrombosis.Results. During orthotopic liver transplantation in a patient with a high risk of recurrent portal vein thrombosis, the intraoperative administration of the protein C preparation at a dosage of 500 IU contributed to the increase in plasma level of protein C by 48%. In the post-transplant period, recurrent portal vein thrombosis was not observed. Conclusion. Intraoperative administration of protein C in combination with basic therapy for orthotopic liver transplantation helps to prevent recurrent portal vein thrombosis.

Safety, Efficacy, and Long-Term Outcomes of Anticoagulation in Cirrhotic Portal Vein Thrombosis.

The role of anticoagulation (AC) in the management of cirrhotic patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) remains unclear. We conducted a retrospective study of cirrhotic patients diagnosed with PVT from 1/1/2000 through 2/1/2019, comparing those who received AC to those who did not. Outcomes included rate of complete radiographic resolution (CRR) of PVT, recanalization of occlusive PVT (RCO), PVT extension, major bleeding, and overall survival (OS). The log-rank test was used to compare Kaplan-Meier distributions of time-to-event outcomes. Multivariable Cox-proportional-hazards modeling was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 214 patients were followed for a median 27months (IQR 12-48). Eighty-six patients (39%) received AC. AC was associated with significantly greater CRR (48% vs. 27%, p = 0.0007), (multivariable HR for CRR with AC; 2.49 (1.54-4.04, p = 0.0002)). AC was also associated with significantly greater RCO (69% vs. 28%, p = 0.0013), (multivariable HR for RCO with AC; 4.86 (1.91-12.37, p = 0.0009)). Rates of major bleeding were similar with and without AC (20% vs. 17%, p = 0.5207), multivariable HR for major bleeding with AC; 1.29 (0.68-2.46, p = 0.4423)). OS rates in the AC and no-AC groups were 83% and 70%, respectively (p = 0.1362), (HR for death with AC; 0.69 (0.38-1.28, p = 0.2441)). Among 75 patients who had CRR, 10 (13%) experienced recurrent PVT during follow-up (none were receiving AC at the time of recurrence). AC appears safe and effective for the treatment of cirrhotic PVT; however, prospective studies to confirm these findings and evaluate additional outcomes are needed.

1287 Metastatic Cholangiocarcinoma in a Healthy 27-Year-Old Man: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION: Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare, aggressive cancer of the biliary tract most often found in men between the ages of 50 and 70. Risk factors include genetic disorders, such as Lynch syndrome and cystic fibrosis, primary hepatobiliary disease, such as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and chronic liver disease. This malignancy is highly uncommon in young individuals without PSC. Here we describe the case of a young man with cholangiocarcinoma with recurrent ascites in the setting of a portal vein thrombosis (PVT). CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 27-year-old man with a history of metastatic cholangiocarcinoma status-post hemihepatectomy with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy and adjuvant chemoradiation presented with rapidly accumulating ascites secondary to a portal vein thrombosis (PVT) discovered on abdominal imaging. A large-volume paracentesis was performed followed by thrombus recanalization and placement of a portal vein stent. The patient was discharged and presented two weeks later with recurrent ascites and evidence of occlusion of the portal vein stent as well as a new thrombus in the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and a possible hepatic abscess seen on abdominal imaging. Clinical examination demonstrated a distended abdomen with a positive fluid wave. Laboratory studies revealed elevated white blood cell count (WBC) as well as Klebsiella, Candida, and gram-positive rods (GPR) bacteremia. The benefits versus risks of thrombectomy for recurrent PVT occlusion were considered as though this procedure could ameliorate ascites, the risk of rapid reocclusion was deemed to be high. Furthermore, the patient was at risk for intra- and post-operative complications due to an anticoagulant regimen and unstable clinical status. Ultimately, the patient received repeat LVP and remained on anticoagulants with no additional interventions for recurrent PVT. The patient and his family were discharged home with supportive care. DISCUSSION: Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare, aggressive malignancy of the biliary tract predominantly found in middle-aged men with a high risk of metastasis and a rapidly progressive course. The diagnosis is made on imaging and confirmed on biopsy. Treatment is dependent on disease staging and includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The disease is rapidly progressive and may predispose patients to pulmonary vein obstruction, leading to portal hypertension and associated sequelae secondary to tumor burden or PVT.

Non tumoral portal vein thrombosis during cirrhosis: Should anticoagulation be proposed?

Background: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is considered as infrequent and pejorative event in cirrhosis. Up to date, many questions remain about therapeutic management. Aim: The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of the PVT on the progression of liver disease, to review the indications for anticoagulation and its repercussions. Materials and methods: A case-control study was conducted over a period of 12 years (2002-2013). It included 484 cases of cirrhosis. Among these patients, 41 had non tumoral portal vein thrombosis (case group). The control group included the remaining 443 patients. Results: In our study, there was no impact of PVT on the natural history of cirrhosis both in terms of complications or survival. Only the early introduction of anticoagulant therapy was associated with a re-permeabilization of portal vein at one year (OR1.6; 95% CI [1.10-2.01]). Prolonged anticoagulation was inversely correlated with recurrent PVT after treatment. However, obtaining a portal vein re-permeabilization was not correlated to a significant gain in terms of prevention of complication related to cirrhosis and survival. Conclusions: results suggest that portal vein thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis is not a formal indication for anticoagulant therapy. It should be reserved for candidates of liver transplantation, those with an extension of the PVT to mesenteric vessels or with severe prothrombotic status. Key words: portal vein thrombosis, cirrhosis, anticoagulation.

Pretransplantation Portal Vein Recanalization and Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation for Chronic Portal Vein Thrombosis: Final Analysis of a 61-Patient Cohort

PurposeTo report the final analysis of the safety and efficacy of portal vein (PV) recanalization (PVR) and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation (PVR-TIPS) in patients with PV thrombosis (PVT) in need of liver transplantation. Materials and MethodsSixty-one patients with cirrhosis and PVT underwent PVR-TIPS to improve transplantation candidacy. Median patient age was 58 years (range, 22–75 y), and median pre-TIPS Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was 14 (range, 7–42). The most common etiologies of cirrhosis were nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in 18 patients (30%) and hepatitis C in 13 patients (21%). Twenty-seven patients (44%) had partial PVT, and 34 patients (56%) had complete thrombosis. Forty-nine patients (80%) had Yerdel grade 2 PVT, and 12 (20%) had Yerdel grade 3 PVT. Twenty-nine patients (48%) had cavernous transformation of the PV. ResultsPVR-TIPS was technically successful in 60 of 61 patients (98%). PV/TIPS patency was maintained in 55 patients (92%) at a median follow-up of 19.2 months (range, 0–105.9 mo). Recurrent PV/TIPS thrombosis occurred in 5 patients (8%), all of whom initially presented with complete PVT. The most common adverse events were TIPS stenosis in 13 patients (22%) and transient encephalopathy in 11 patients (18%). Twenty-four patients (39%) underwent transplantation, 23 of whom (96%) received an end-to-end anastomosis. There were no cases of recurrent PVT following transplantation, with a median imaging follow-up of 32.5 months (range, 0.4–75.4 mo). Five-year overall survival rate was 82%. ConclusionsPVR-TIPS is a safe, effective, and durable treatment option for patients with chronic PVT who need liver transplantation.

Liver transplantation in children: The initial Toronto experience

The Hospital for Sick Children's initial 2-year experience with pediatric liver transplantation is reviewed. Patients are divided into high- and low-risk groups according to certain criteria. The high-risk group includes patients under 10 kg in weight, those with extrahepatic biliary atresia (EHBA), those with portal vein atresia or thrombosis, and those in hepatic coma. All others were considered low risk. Twenty-nine patients were assessed for transplantation: 18 were transplanted and 6 (21% of total referred) died while on the waiting list. Eighteen patients received 23 transplants. Of the 18 recipients, nine had EHBA, four had fulminant hepatic failure, two had tyrosinemia, one had glycogen storage disease, one had Indian childhood cirrhosis, and one had idiopathic cirrhosis. Seven of the 13 patients in the high-risk group survived (55% survival) with 1 to 23 month follow-up. Survival was significantly higher (80%) in the low-risk group (P less than 0.05). Four patients were retransplanted and two survived. Early deaths occurred from prolonged warm ischemia, recurrent portal vein thrombosis, and brain death in a patient who had been transplanted in hepatic coma. Late deaths occurred from cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease (2 patients), acute rejection (1 patient), and myocardial infarction (1 patient). The incidence of primary nonfunction was 4.3% (1 of 23) and of arterial thrombosis was 13% (3 of 23). Survival in patients transplanted for EHBA (67%) was slightly higher than it was for the rest of the group, although not as good as it was in the low-risk group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)