Meta‐analysis and systematic review: Prevalence, graft failure, mortality, and post‐operative thrombosis in liver transplant recipients with pre‐operative portal vein thrombosis

Abstract Aims This study seeks to evaluate the association between pre‐transplant portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and overall survival, graft failure, waitlist mortality, and post‐operative PVT after liver transplantation. Methods A conventional pairwise meta‐analysis between patients with and without pre‐transplant PVT was conducted using hazard ratios or odds ratios where appropriate. Results Prevalence of preoperative PVT was 11.6% (CI 9.70–13.7%). Pre‐operative PVT was associated with increased overall mortality (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.27–1.65) and graft loss (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.34–1.85). In particular, grade 3 (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.00–2.51) and 4 (HR 2.24, 95% CI 1.45–3.45) PVT significantly increased mortality, but not grade 1 or 2 PVT. Patients with PVT receiving living donor (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.24–1.91) and deceased donor (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.21–1.92) liver transplantation had increased mortality, with no significant difference between transplant types ( P = .13). Furthermore, pre‐transplant PVT was associated with higher occurrence of post‐transplant PVT (OR 5.06, 95% CI 3.89–6.57). Waitlist mortality was not significantly increased in patients with pre‐transplant PVT. Conclusion Graft failure, mortality, and post‐operative PVT are more common in pre‐transplant PVT patients, especially in grade 3 or 4 PVT. Prophylactic anticoagulation can be considered to reduce re‐thrombosis and improve survival.