Acquired and hereditary thrombotic risk factors in patients with acute mesenteric vein thrombosis

[Mesenteric vein thrombosis and protein C and S deficiency in a patient with chronic hepatitis C on treatment with interferon and ribavirin]

We describe the case of a 67 year old male with chronic hepatitis C on treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin who, after two and a half months of combined treatment, presented with a picture of acute mesenteric vein thrombosis that required urgent surgery. It re-occurred several days later and was his cause of death. In the thrombophilia study carried out immediately after surgery a decrease in protein C and S was considered as a cause of hypercoagulability. Protein C and S deficiency, natural anticoagulants synthesised in the liver, in patients without hepatic disease is a known cause of mesenteric thrombosis. Its decrease has also been described in the context of chronic hepatic diseases, including C virus chronic hepatitis, although it is not known for sure if this hypercoagulability state is a primary or secondary manifestation. Chronic hepatitis C and treatment with interferon has often been associated with a procoagulant state, and on many occasions due to different factors and mechanisms.

[Spontaneous resolution of extensive superior mesenteric and portal vein thrombosis. A case report]

We present a case of subacute extensive thrombosis of the superior mesenteric vein, the venous branches of the jejunal vein, the portal vein at the hilum and its intrahepatic branches, with complete recanalization of the blood flow in the affected vessels without thrombolytic treatment. We provide a detailed description of the clinical and etiological investigations and outcome.