Comparison of Systemic Thrombolysis Versus Indirect Thrombolysis via the Superior Mesenteric Artery in Patients with Acute Portal Vein Thrombosis. Ann Vasc Surg. 2017;39:264-269. [PMID: 27671456 DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2016.06.029]

Systemic Thrombolysis for Isolated Splenic Vein Thrombosis Secondary to Oral Contraceptives: A Case Report

Isolated splenic vein thrombosis (ISVT) is a very rare venous thromboembolism in the absence of pancreatic diseases, which can cause acute abdominal pain and chronic left-side portal hypertension. Herein, we reported a 40-year-old female patient who developed ISVT after taking oral contraceptives. Anticoagulation with oral rivaroxaban was the first-line choice of therapy in this case. Since then, abdominal pain alleviated, but she did not achieve vessel recanalization. Thus, a 7-day systemic thrombolysis with urokinase was given. Abdominal pain disappeared, but ISVT was not significantly improved. During follow-up period, long-term anticoagulation with oral rivaroxaban was given. Collectively, this case indicates the possibility of oral contraceptives as a risk factor of ISVT as well as anticoagulation combined with systemic thrombolysis as a choice of treatment for ISVT. Certainly, long-term follow-up is necessary in this case.

Portal Vein Thrombosis in the Setting of Cirrhosis: A Comprehensive Review

Portal vein thrombosis constitutes the most common thrombotic event in patients with cirrhosis, with increased rates in the setting of advanced liver disease. Despite being a well-known complication of cirrhosis, the contribution of portal vein thrombosis to hepatic decompensation and overall mortality is still a matter of debate. The incorporation of direct oral anticoagulants and new radiological techniques for portal vein recanalization have expanded our therapeutic arsenal. However, the lack of large prospective observational studies and randomized trials explain the heterogenous diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations of current guidelines. This article seeks to make a comprehensive review of the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of portal vein thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis.

Primary Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis for Porto-Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis (PMVT) in Non-Cirrhotic Patients

Purpose: To report our thrombolytic technique, treatment strategy, and clinical outcomes for porto-mesenteric venous thrombosis (PMVT) in non-cirrhotic patients. Methods: Sixteen acute or chronic non-cirrhotic PMVT patients (mean age: 48.6 years) with imminent intestinal ischemia were enrolled from 2004 to 2020. Eight patients presented thrombus extension into the peripheral mesenteric vein, close to the venous arcade. Transhepatic catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) was performed by urokinase infusion (60,000–30,000 IU/h concomitant with heparin 300–400 IU/h), catheter aspiration, and/or balloon dilation/stent placement. Additional intra-arterial mesenteric infusion of urokinase (30,000 IU/h) was given in patients with the peripheral mesenteric venules involved. Transjugular intrahepatic porto-systemic shunt (TIPS) was created in patients with poor recanalization of the intrahepatic portal flow (PV). Results: The transhepatic route was adopted in all patients, with adjunct indirect mesenteric arterial thrombolytic infusion in eight patients. A total of up to 20.4 million IU urokinase was infused for 1–21 days’ treatment duration. TIPS was created in three patients with recanalization failure of the intrahepatic PV. Technical success was achieved in 100% of patients with complete recanalization of 80% and partial recanalization of 20%. No major procedure-related complications were encountered. The 30-day mortality rate was 6.7%. The overall two-year primary patency was 84.6%. Conclusions: CDT can be performed as a primary salvage treatment once the diagnosis is made. CDT via the transhepatic route with tailored thrombolytic regimen is safe and effective for both acute and chronic PMVT. TIPS creation can be preserved in non-cirrhotic PMVT patients if intrahepatic PV recanalization fails.

Consensus Statement on Hemostatic Management, Anticoagulation, and Antiplatelet Therapy in Liver Transplantation

Anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapies are increasingly used in liver transplant (LT) candidates and recipients due to cardiovascular comorbidities, portal vein thrombosis, or to manage posttransplant complications. The implementation of the new direct-acting oral anticoagulants and the recently developed antiplatelet drugs is a great challenge for transplant teams worldwide, as their activity must be monitored and their complications managed, in the absence of robust scientific evidence. In this changing and clinically heterogeneous scenario, the Spanish Society of Liver Transplantation and the Spanish Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis aimed to achieve consensus regarding the indications, drugs, dosing, and timing of anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapies initiated from the inclusion of the patient on the waiting list to post-LT surveillance. A multidisciplinary group of experts composed by transplant hepatologists, surgeons, hematologists, transplant-specialized anesthesiologists, and intensivists performed a comprehensive review of the literature and identified 21 clinically relevant questions using the patient-intervention-comparison-outcome format. A preliminary list of recommendations was drafted and further validated using a modified Delphi approach by a panel of 24 transplant delegates, each representing a LT institution in Spain. The present consensus statement contains the key recommendations together with the core supporting scientific evidence, which will provide guidance for improved and more homogeneous clinical decision making.

Nontransplant options for portomesenteric thrombosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Portomesenteric thrombosis (PMT) is a serious condition encountered mainly in cirrhotic patients awaiting liver transplantation. More recently, this potentially fatal complication has been described after bariatric surgery and inflammatory bowel disease. Several consensus guidelines have been published over the past few years and this mini review was conducted to discuss updated nontransplant treatment options based on currently available evidence.

RECENT FINDINGS

Anticoagulation is the mainstay of treatment for PMT involving <50% of the main portal vein. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt are usually preserved for patients with more extensive disease or those with clinically significant portal hypertension that are treatment refractory.

SUMMARY

The extent of PMT, response to therapy, and complications related with PMT are the determinants of therapy.

Systematic Review of Thrombolysis Therapy in the Management of Non-Cirrhosis-Related Portal Vein Thrombosis

PURPOSE

To review available evidence to assess the efficacy and safety of thrombolysis therapy for non-cirrhosis-related portal vein thrombosis (PVT) that has not improved with anti-coagulation.

METHODS

A literature search of databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PUBMED, Cochrane and World Wide Web identified studies after 2000 utilizing portal vein thrombolysis in non-cirrhotic patients, with a minimum of 5 patients. Nine studies met criteria with 134 patients. The primary outcome evaluated was radiological re-canalization of the portal vein and symptomatic improvement post treatment. Secondary data points obtained included morbidity, mortality, thrombolysis approach and technique.

RESULTS

The re-canalization rate following thrombolysis was 84% (0.67-1.02 CI 95%) and the symptomatic improvement rate 86% (0.70-1.01 CI 95%). The major complication rate was 7% (0.01-0.14 CI 95%) and the overall complication rate 25% (0.08-0.41 CI 95%). The direct and systemic thrombolysis approach showed no significant re-canalization rates with an odds ratio of 0.78 (0.24-2.55 CI 95%, P = 0.68). Thrombectomy in conjunction with thrombolysis demonstrated no improved patency or symptom relief with an odds ratio of 1 (0.17-6.03 CI 95%, P = 1.00).

CONCLUSION

Thrombolysis is an effective and safe therapy for portal vein thrombosis in non-cirrhotic patients where systemic anti-coagulation has failed. The heterogenicity of study thrombolysis protocols limits the evaluation of secondary outcomes, and future data should be standardized to determine the role of the thrombolysis access route and thrombectomy.

Preoperative successful thrombectomy and thrombolysis of acute extensive splanchnic venous system and TIPSS thrombosis in a child with Budd-Chiari syndrome-Creating a window to enable living donor liver transplantation

Preoperative extensive PV thrombosis can pose a technical challenge during liver transplantation surgery. Several strategies adopted to mitigate this problem include creation of a superior mesenteric vein-PV jump graft, use of a polytetrafluoroethylene graft, renoportal anastomosis, or cavoportal hemitransposition. Extensive and diffuse thrombosis of the splanchnic venous system may even necessitate multivisceral transplantation. We describe the case of a pediatric patient with Budd-Chiari syndrome and decompensated cirrhosis, who developed extensive thrombosis of the porto-spleno-mesenteric venous system prior to liver transplantation. We used a combination technique of thrombus aspiration by a novel trans-TIPPS approach followed by thrombolysis. Complete preoperative resolution of the extensive thrombosis was achieved. This allowed the creation of a brief window to enable planned LDLT. In prudently selected patients, performing an early mechanical and chemical thrombolysis of an extensive acute splanchnic venous thrombosis can thus help expedite a planned LDLT.

Portal vein thrombosis: an overview of current treatment options

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a splanchnic vascular disorder characterised by a recent or chronic thrombotic occlusion of the portal venous system. Its aetiology is miscellaneous, and its management is demanding since PVT can play a critical role as far as morbidity and mortality are concerned. Indeed, PVT can develop as a complication of portal hypertension (PH), in association or not with advanced chronic liver disease, and aggravate its clinical consequences such as variceal bleeding and ascites. Furthermore, a diagnosis of PVT in a non-cirrhotic context can potentially reveal a previously unknown hypercoagulable condition, requiring further diagnostic steps and specific treatment in addition to anticoagulation. In addition to established therapeutic approaches, new strategies, including newer pharmacological treatments and interdisciplinary invasive procedures, gain more attention and have been increasingly introduced into clinical practice. This review aims at discussing the current knowledge in terms of treatment options for PVT.

Predictors of insufficient recanalization and portal hypertensive complications after treatment of non-cirrhotic, non-malignant portal vein thrombosis - a population-based study

OBJECTIVES

In acute portal vein thrombosis (PVT), a six-month anticoagulation treatment achieves complete recanalization in only 35%-45% of patients, but the predictors of poor treatment responses are unclear. We examined treatment outcomes in PVT and aimed to identify predictors of incomplete recanalization and portal hypertensive complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study comprised patients diagnosed with PVT between 2006 and 2015. Key exclusion criteria were liver cirrhosis, malignancy, and age <18.

RESULTS

The final cohort comprised 145 patients, of whom 132 (92%) were primarily treated with anticoagulation. The 5-year cumulative incidence of complete recanalization was 42% and of portal hypertensive complications, 31%. Independent predictors of insufficient recanalization were sub-acute or chronic thrombosis (hazard ratio (HR) 3.1, 95% CI 1.6-5.8), while acute pancreatitis was a protective factor (HR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2 - 0.7). Independent predictors of incident portal hypertensive complications were as cites at baseline (HR 3.3, 95% CI 1.7-6.7), sub-acute or chronic thrombosis (HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.6-5.3), extension of thrombosis to the splenic or mesenteric vein (HR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2-5.7), myeloproliferative disease (HR 3.0, 95% CI 1.4-6.5), and anemia (HR 2.1, 95% 1.1-3.9), while acute pancreatitis was a protective factor (HR 0.1, 95% CI 0.03-0.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Etiology and age of thrombosis are associated with treatment responses in PVT. The presence of ascites at baseline, etiology, and extent of thrombosis, a non-acute thrombosis and anemia, are associated with the risk of portal hypertensive complications. Etiology and extent of thrombosis should be taken into account when determining the treatment (method) for PVT.

Current knowledge in pathophysiology and management of Budd-Chiari syndrome and non-cirrhotic non-tumoral splanchnic vein thrombosis

Budd-Chiari syndrome and non-cirrhotic non-tumoral portal vein thrombosis are 2 rare disorders, with several similarities that are categorized under the term splanchnic vein thrombosis. Both disorders are frequently associated with an underlying prothrombotic disorder. They can cause severe portal hypertension and usually affect young patients, negatively influencing life expectancy when the diagnosis and treatment are not performed at an early stage. Yet, they have specific features that require individual consideration. The current review will focus on the available knowledge on pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of both entities.

Agitation thrombolysis combined with catheter-directed thrombolysis for the treatment of non-cirrhotic acute portal vein thrombosis

AIM

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of agitation thrombolysis (AT) combined with catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for the treatment of non-cirrhotic acute portal vein thrombosis (PVT).

METHODS

Nine patients with non-cirrhotic acute PVT who underwent AT combined with CDT were analyzed retrospectively. Portography was carried out via the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic (commonly known as TIP) or percutaneous transhepatic (commonly known as PT) route, followed by AT combined with CDT. Complications of the procedure, and the changes in clinical symptoms, hemodynamics of the portal vein and liver function were recorded. Follow-up was scheduled at 1, 3 and 6 mo after treatment, and every 6 mo thereafter, or when the patients developed clinical symptoms related to PVT. Color Doppler ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging were performed during the follow-up period to determine the condition of the portal vein.

RESULTS

AT combined with CDT was successfully performed. The portal vein was reached via the TIP route in 6 patients, and via the PT route in 3 patients. All clinical symptoms were relieved or disappeared, with the exception of 1 patient who died of intestinal necrosis 9 d after treatment. Significant differences in the changes in portal vein hemodynamics were observed, including the maximum lumen occupancy of PVT, portal vein pressure and flow velocity between pre- and post-treatment (P < 0.05). During the follow-up period, recurrence was observed in 1 patient at 19 mo after the procedure, and the portal vein was patent in the remaining patients.

CONCLUSION

AT combined with CDT is a safe and effective method for the treatment of non-cirrhotic acute PVT.

Treatment of acute portomesenteric venous thrombosis with thrombectomy through a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: a single-center experience

Background Acute portomesenteric venous thrombosis (PMVT) is a potentially life-threatening condition and urgent treatment is required. Purpose To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of treating acute PMVT by the creation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) followed by thrombectomy. Material and Methods Six patients (all men, age range = 39-51 years) presenting with acute PMVT were treated with transjugular thrombectomy (TT) through a TIPS created in the same session. The intervention included iterated venography through the TIPS one to three times within the first week after diagnosis and repeated thrombectomy if needed (n = 5). Results Recanalization was successful with persistent blood flow through the main superior mesenteric vein, portal vein, and TIPS in all six patients. Five patients were treated primarily with thrombectomy through a TIPS with clinical improvement. The final patient was initially treated with surgical thrombectomy and bowel resection. TIPS and TT was performed two days after surgery due to re-thrombosis but the patient deteriorated and died of multi-organ failure. Procedure-related complications were transient hematuria (n = 3) and transient encephalopathy (n = 2). In-hospital time was <14 days in four of the five patients with primary TIPS and TT. No sign of re-thrombosis was noted during follow-up (mean = 18 months, range = 8-28 months). Conclusion Thrombectomy through a TIPS is feasible and can be effective in recanalization and symptom-relief in acute PMVT.

Clinical outcomes of transcatheter selective superior mesenteric artery urokinase infusion therapy vs transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients with cirrhosis and acute portal vein thrombosis

AIM

To compare the outcomes of transcatheter superior mesenteric artery (SMA) urokinase infusion and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for acute portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in cirrhosis.

METHODS

From January 2013 to December 2014, patients with liver cirrhosis and acute symptomatic PVT who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either an SMA group or a TIPS group. The two groups accepted transcatheter selective SMA urokinase infusion therapy and TIPS, respectively. The total follow-up time was 24 mo. The primary outcome measure was the change in portal vein patency status which was evaluated by angio-computed tomography or Doppler ultrasound. Secondary outcomes were rebleeding and hepatic encephalopathy.

RESULTS

A total of 40 patients were enrolled, with 20 assigned to the SMA group and 20 to the TIPS group. The symptoms of all patients in the two groups improved within 48 h. PVT was improved in 17 (85%) patients in the SMA group and 14 (70%) patients in the TIPS group. The main portal vein (MPV) thrombosis was significantly reduced in both groups (P < 0.001), and there was no significant difference between them (P = 0.304). In the SMA group, superior mesenteric vein (SMV) thrombosis and splenic vein (SV) thrombosis were significantly reduced (P = 0.048 and P = 0.02), which did not occur in the TIPS group. At 6-, 12-, and 24-mo follow-up, in the SMA group and the TIPS group, the cumulative rates free of the first episode of rebleeding were 80%, 65%, and 45% vs 90%, 80%, and 60%, respectively (P = 0.320); the cumulative rates free of the first episode of hepatic encephalopathy were 85%, 80%, and 65% vs 50%, 40%, and 35%, respectively (P = 0.022).

CONCLUSION

Transcatheter selective SMA urokinase infusion and TIPS are safe and effective for acute symptomatic PVT in cirrhosis.