Risk factors for portal vein thrombosis in cirrhotic patients and the influences of anticoagulation on esophagogastric variceal bleeding

Objective To investigate the associated factors and the independent risk factors for portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in cirrhotic patients and assess the influences of anticoagulation on esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB) in these patients. Methods From January 2012 to December 2012, 239 cirrhotic patients were diagnosed in our hospital. According to the presence or absence of portal vein thrombosis (PVT), they were divided into thrombus group (33 cases) and control group (206 cases). According to the presence or absence of EGVB in thrombus group, they were divided into bleeding group (10 cases) and non bleeding group (23 cases). According to whether anticoagulant therapy was used in thrombus group, they were divided into anticoagulant group (10 cases) and non anticoagulant group (23 cases). The risk factors of each group and its control group were observed and compared. Results The thrombus group had a lower level of the albumin (ALB) , higher level of count of platelet (PLT), diameter of main portal vein (MPV), propotion of diabetes prevalence and history of splenectomy compared with the control group (P 0.05]. Conclusions ⑴ PLT, ALB, MPV, and a history of diabetes or splenectomy are risk factors for cirrhosis combined with PVT, and PLT and MPV are independent risk factors. ⑵ The incidence of EGVB increased with the increasing severity of esophagogastric varicose vein. The endoscopic variceal sequential treatment can contribute a significant reduction of EGVB in cirrhosis complicated by PVT. ⑶ Anticoagulant therapy may not raise the incidence of EGVB in cirrhotic patients with PVT. Key words: Liver cirrhosis; Venous thrombosis; Portal vein; Anticoagulants; Gastrointestinal hemorrhage