S1169 Efficacy and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants for the Treatment of Portal Vein Thrombosis in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis

Introduction: Studies have reported direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) to be as effective and safe as traditional anticoagulants (TACs) for portal vein thrombosis (PVT) treatment in cirrhotic patients. However, ideal management remains ambiguous with limited data. Our study was to compare efficacy and safety of DOACs to TACs in cirrhotic patients with PVT. Methods: This is an institutional review board approved, retrospective chart review of four teaching hospitals from January 1st, 2015 to March 31st, 2021. Treatment response and safety were compared in cirrhotic patients on DOACs versus TACs, such as warfarin or low-molecular weight heparin, for PVT. Patients were excluded if they had received anticoagulation for conditions other than PVT, aged < 18, or were pregnant or breastfeeding. Data collected included anticoagulation agent, therapy duration, Child-Turcotte-Pugh class (CTP), radiographic imaging, and adverse medication reactions. We evaluated (1) the rate of progression, non-progression or recanalization of PVT and (2) rate of major bleeding, defined by a hemoglobin drop of ≥ 2, transfusion requirement, or need for reversal antidote. All other events were classified as minor bleeding. Results: A total of 527 patients had PVT and cirrhosis. Ninety-seven patients were initiated on anticoagulation, 53 met study inclusion criteria, and 27 had completed follow-up imaging. Of these 27 patients, 7 were CTP class A, 16 were B, 1 was C, and 3 were unknown at treatment initiation. Ten were on TACs and the remaining 17 were on DOACs. Seven patients (70%) on TACs vs. 14 (82.4%) on DOACs had resolution of PVT, 3 patients (30%) on TACs vs. 1 (5.9%) on DOACs had non-progression of PVT, and 2 (11.8%) on DOACs progressed without recanalization. Six patients (60%) on TACs vs. 14 (82.4%) on DOACs had resolution of PVT within 9 months of anticoagulation initiation. Three out of 10 patients (30%) on TACs and 3 out of 17 patients (17.6%) on DOACs had major bleed. No patients had minor bleed. There was no difference between treatment groups with respect to time of major bleed occurrence. Conclusion: Our study showed that DOACs were effective and safe for the treatment of PVT in patients with cirrhosis. Resolution of PVT in cirrhotic patients appeared to be slightly higher, and bleeding events lower, in those on DOACs compared to those on TACs. Large, prospective studies are warranted to elucidate the optimal use of DOACs in patients with cirrhosis, particularly in CTP class C.