Splanchnic vein thrombosis in candidates for liver transplantation: usefulness of screening and anticoagulation (original) (raw)

Splenectomy as Flow Modulation Strategy and Risk Factors of De Novo Portal Vein Thrombosis in Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Liver transplantation : official publication of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the International Liver Transplantation Society, 2018

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a severe complication after liver transplantation that can result in increased morbidity and mortality. Few data are available regarding risk factors, classification, and treatment of PVT after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Between January 2004 and November 2014, 421 adult-to-adult LDLTs were performed at our institution, and they were included in the analysis. Perioperative characteristics and outcomes from patients with no-PVT (n = 393) were compared with those with de novo PVT (total portal vein thrombosis [t-PVT]; n = 28). Ten patients had early portal vein thrombosis (e-PVT) occurring within 1 month, and 18 patients had late portal vein thrombosis (l-PVT) appearing later than 1 month after LDLT. Analysis of perioperative variables determined that splenectomy was associated with t-PVT (hazard ratio [HR], 3.55; P = 0.01), e-PVT (HR, 4.96; P = 0.04), and l-PVT (HR, 3.84; P = 0.03). In contrast, donor age was only found as a risk factor ...

Portal Vein Thrombosis in Adults Undergoing Liver Transplantation

Transplantation, 2000

Background. Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) has been seen as an obstacle to liver transplantation (LTx). Recent data suggest that favorable results may be achieved in this group of patients but only limited information from small size series is available. The present study was conducted in an effort to review the surgical options in patients with PVT and to assess the impact of PVT on LTx outcome. Risk factors for PVT and the value of screening tools are also analyzed.

Utility of Oral Anticoagulants as Prophylaxis of Recurrent Portal Thrombosis after Liver Transplantation

Transplantation Proceedings, 2019

Introduction. Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a relatively common finding in patients undergoing liver transplantation. Although the recommendation to prevent its recurrence is anticoagulation for a duration of 3 to 6 months, this is controversial. Aim. The aim of our study was to determine the efficacy of oral anticoagulants (OAC) as prophylaxis for recurrent PVT after liver transplantation. Materials and Methods. Our study included 215 liver transplant patients who underwent surgery in our center from January 2012 to August 2017. We selected all patients diagnosed with PVT either pre-transplantation (using Doppler echography or Angio-CT) or during transplant surgery. All patients with PVT were initially anticoagulated with lowmolecular-weight heparin in the postoperative period; at discharge they received OAC for a duration of six months. Control Doppler ultrasound was performed at 3, 6, and 12 months post-transplantation. Results. PVT was identified in 37 out of 215 patients (17.2%). PVT was diagnosed with a pre-transplant vascular study in 17 out of 37 cases (45.9%). All patients were anticoagulated with OAC (warfarin) for at least 6 months. There were no cases of recurrent thrombosis and no complications associated with anticoagulant treatment throughout the follow-up period. Conclusions. The prevalence of portal thrombosis in liver transplant patients in our study was fairly high, at 17.2%. PVT was identified in nearly 50% of patients using highquality vascular studies prior to transplant surgery. Anticoagulation with OAC for 6 months was effective in preventing a recurrence of thrombosis and there were no associated complications.

Prevalence and outcome of portal thrombosis in a cohort of cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation

Revista Española de Enfermedades Digestivas, 2016

Introduction: The prevalence of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in patients that have undergone liver transplantation (LT) is 9.7% (SD 4.5). The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence, assess the factors that are associated with PVT and clarify their association with prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) and LT. Aims and methods: From 2005 to 2014, laboratory, radiological and surgical data were collected from patients with LC in our center who had undergone LT for the first time. Results: One hundred and ninety-one patients were included. The mean age was 55 (SD 9), 75.4% of patients were male and 48.7% had HCV. The Child-Pugh scores were A/B/C 41.9%/35.9%/25.5% and the MELD score was 15 (SD 6). Previous decompensations were: ascites (61.4%), hepatic encephalopathy (34.4%), variceal bleeding (25.4%), hepatocellular carcinoma (48.9%) and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SPB) (14.3%). The mean post-transplant follow-up was 42 months (0-113). PVT was diagnosed at LT in 18 patients (9.4%). Six patients were previously diagnosed using imaging tests (33.3%): 2 patients (11.1%) by DU and 4 patients (22.2%) by CT scan. All patients with PVT had DU in a mean time of 6 months before LT (0-44) and 90 patients (47.1%) had a CT scan in a median time of 6 months before LT (0-45). PVT was significantly related to the presence of SBP (33.3% vs 12.6%; p = 0.02) and lower levels of albumin (3.1g/dl vs 3.4g/ dl; p = 0.05). MELD was higher in patients with PVT (16.6 vs 14.9; p = 0.3). There were no significant differences with regard to the need for transfusion of blood components. Moreover, the surgery time was similar in both groups. PVT correlated with a higher mortality in the first 30 days (8.8% vs 16.7%; p = 0.2). Conclusion: Prior history of SBP and lower levels of albumin were identified as factors associated with PVT. The pre-transplant diagnosis rate is very low and the presence of PVT may have implications for short-term mortality.

Liver Transplantation in Recipients With Portal Vein Thrombosis: Experience of a Single Transplant Center

Transplantation Proceedings, 2005

Introduction. Although portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is no longer considered a contraindication for liver transplantation (OLT), it is still considered a high risk because of the complexity of the surgical procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PVT in the recipient during OLT on intra-and perioperative management and outcome. Patients and Methods. Between April 1986 and October 2003, 721 primary OLT included 64 patients (8.8%) with PVT. The underlying liver disease was postnecrotic cirrhosis in most cases (n ϭ 37). Intraoperative (length of surgery, packed red blood cells (PRBC) transfusion requirements, ischemia time, complications) and postoperative parameters (ICU stay and hospitalization time, complications, actuarial graft and patient survival at 1 month and 1 and 5 years) were compared with a control group of patients submitted to OLT without PVT (n ϭ 657). Results. Portal flow was reestablished in 56 patients with thromboendovenectomy, in seven patients with a venous graft from the superior mesenteric vein, and with cavoportal hemitransposition in one case. The average ICU and hospital stay as well as the 1-month and 1-and 5-year patient survivals were not significantly different in the PVT versus the control group. We observed slightly more PRBC transfusions and longer surgery procedures in the PVT group. Conclusions. Our experience suggests that thromboendovenectomy is the procedure of choice for PVT. The results are good in terms of survival rates and postoperative complications, although the presence of PVT may lead to more technical problems during surgery.

Venous Thrombotic Events After Liver Transplantation

Clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis : official journal of the International Academy of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis, 2016

Thromboprophylaxis is not well defined after liver transplantation (LT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) and nonsplanchnic vein thrombosis (NSVT) after LT. Liver transplantations performed between 2009 and 2013 in our institution were reviewed. Demographic, intraoperative, and postoperative data were recorded. Low-molecular-weight heparin was only administered postoperatively if intraoperative thrombectomy was performed or in patients preoperatively anticoagulated. Of a total of 328 patients, 72% were male with a median age of 56 years, score of model for end-stage liver disease 18 (11-23), and 88% had liver cirrhosis. The incidence of postoperative venous thrombotic events was 4.6%: 8 (2.4%) patients had SVT and 7 (2.1%) patients had NSVT. After logistic regression analysis, intraoperative thrombectomy and Child A classification emerged as risk factors for SVT (odds ratio [OR]: 77, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 14-421) and...

Hepatic Artery Thrombosis in Liver Transplantation - Therapeutical Options

Transplantation, 2010

Introduction. Routinely, pediatric donor (PD) grafts are allocated to pediatric liver transplantation (LT) recipients; however, occasionally they can be allocated for adult recipients (ARs). Some authors reported decreased patient/graft survival and higher vascular complications, such as hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT), in LT in ARs using PDs. Methods. It is a retrospective study enrolling 1202 ARs undergoing LT using whole liver grafts during the period of January 2002 to April 2019. The patients were categorized according to donor age in 2 groups: PDs and adult donors (ADs). The variables were collected from the database including the graft to recipient weight ratio (GWRW) and the incidence of HAT and graft primary nonfunction (PNF). Results. The AD group had 1152 patients, and the PD group had 50 patients. PNF occurred in 68 (5.66%) patients, and the distribution between the 2 groups were similar: 65 (5.64%) in the AD group, and 3 (6%) in the PD group (P ¼ .915). HAT was diagnosed in 30 (2.6%) patients in the AD group and in 6 (12%) patients in the PD group. HAT was significantly higher in the PD group (P ¼ .001). In the PD group, the GWRWs among patients diagnosed with HAT were similar (P ¼ .152). Conclusion. HAT is higher in PDs, although it is a viable alternative with satisfactory results. Serial Doppler in the first week and early introduction of platelet antiaggregants and/or anticoagulants may be beneficial, albeit it is not clear if it could reduce the incidence of HAT.

Hypercoagulability in Liver Transplant Recipients: Does Portal Vein Thrombosis Predict Post-Operative Thrombotic Complications?

Open Journal of Organ Transplant Surgery, 2011

Background: Cirrhotic patients have higher rates of hypercoagulable disorders. We hypothesized that orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients with pre-operative portal vein thrombosis (PVT) have more postoperative thrombotic events than those without PVT. Aims: To compare rates of post-op thrombotic events and outcomes between those with and without pre-op PVT. Methods: All OLT recipients between 1/02-4/09 were retrospectively reviewed. Outcome measures included survival, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, hepatic artery thrombosis, and recurrent PVT. Minimum follow up was 6 months. Results: In 363 OLTs performed, mean recipient age was 53.1 yrs (±9.2); 268 patients were male. Mean MELD at transplant was 22.1 (±6.2). The prevalence of pre-op PVT was 11.2% (41/350). There was no difference in the % of post-op thrombotic events between those with and without PVT (p = 0.77). MELD, recipient and donor age, and gender were similar in both groups. Mean survival in those with pre-op PVT was 85.2 months vs. 78.7 in those without PVT (p = 0.19). Conclusions: The rate of post-op thrombotic events was equivalent in OLT recipients with and without pre-op PVT. The presence of PVT did not adversely impact patient survival and should not be a contraindication to OLT.