Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in cirrhotic patients: Systematic review

Establishment of machine learning-based tool for early detection of pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a complex disease with high mortality and morbidity rate, leading to increasing society burden. However, current diagnosis is solely based on symptoms and laboratory data despite its complex pathology, which easily leads to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis by inexperienced doctors. Especially, CT pulmonary angiography, the gold standard method, is not widely available. In this study, we aim to establish a rapid and accurate screening model for pulmonary embolism using machine learning technology. Importantly, data required for disease prediction are easily accessed, including routine laboratory data and medical record information of patients.

METHODS

We extracted features from patients' routine laboratory results and medical records, including blood routine, biochemical group, blood coagulation routine and other test results, as well as symptoms and medical history information. Samples with a feature loss rate greater than 0.8 were deleted from the original database. Data from 4723 cases were retained, 231 of which were positive for pulmonary embolism. 50 features were retained through the positive and negative statistical hypothesis testing which was used to build the predictive model. In order to avoid identification as majority-class samples caused by the imbalance of sample proportion, we used the method of Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) to increase the amount of information on minority samples. Five typical machine learning algorithms were used to model the screening of pulmonary embolism, including Support Vector Machines, Logistic Regression, Random Forest, XGBoost, and Back Propagation Neural Networks. To evaluate model performance, sensitivity, specificity and AUC curve were analyzed as the main evaluation indicators. Furthermore, a baseline model was established using the characteristics of the pulmonary embolism guidelines as a comparison model.

RESULTS

We found that XGBoost showed better performance compared to other models, with the highest sensitivity and specificity (0.99 and 0.99, respectively). Moreover, it showed significant improvement in performance compared to the baseline model (sensitivity and specificity were 0.76 and 0.76 respectively). More important, our model showed low missed diagnosis rate (0.46) and high AUC value (0.992). Finally, the calculation time of our model is only about 0.05 s to obtain the possibility of pulmonary embolism.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, five machine learning classification models were established to assess the likelihood of patients suffering from pulmonary embolism, and the XGBoost model most significantly improved the precision, sensitivity, and AUC for pulmonary embolism screening. Collectively, we have established an AI-based model to accurately predict pulmonary embolism at early stage.

Guidelines for the management of coagulation disorders in patients with cirrhosis

Coagulation management in the patient with cirrhosis has undergone a significant transformation since the beginning of this century, with the concept of a rebalancing between procoagulant and anticoagulant factors. The paradigm that patients with cirrhosis have a greater bleeding tendency has changed, as a result of this rebalancing. In addition, it has brought to light the presence of complications related to thrombotic events in this group of patients. These guidelines detail aspects related to pathophysiologic mechanisms that intervene in the maintenance of hemostasis in the patient with cirrhosis, the relevance of portal hypertension, mechanical factors for the development of bleeding, modifications in the hepatic synthesis of coagulation factors, and the changes in the reticuloendothelial system in acute hepatic decompensation and acute-on-chronic liver failure. They address new aspects related to the hemorrhagic complications in patients with cirrhosis, considering the risk for bleeding during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, as well as the usefulness of different tools for diagnosing coagulation and recommendations on the pharmacologic treatment and blood-product transfusion in the context of hemorrhage. These guidelines also update the knowledge regarding hypercoagulability in the patient with cirrhosis, as well as the efficacy and safety of treatment with the different anticoagulation regimens. Lastly, they provide recommendations on coagulation management in the context of acute-on-chronic liver failure, acute liver decompensation, and specific aspects related to the patient undergoing liver transplantation.

Prevalence of chronic venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis in cirrhotic patients

Summary

People with cirrhosis of the liver are at risk for complications that can worsen their quality of life and increase morbidity and mortality. Contrary to previous beliefs, cirrhosis does not protect against the development of thromboembolic events, and cirrhotic patients may have higher rates of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Background and aims

The study of chronic venous disease and its impact on patients with cirrhosis is unknown in the literature and may be an important fact since this condition also had impact on quality of life and morbidity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of DVT (Deep Venous thrombosis) in outpatients with cirrhosis and the degree of chronic venous insufficiency, evaluating possible correlations between clinical and laboratory aspects of cirrhotic patients with these pathologies.

Methods

Patients with cirrhosis were evaluated in the outpatient clinic of the Liver Transplantation and Hepatology Service of HC-FMUSP from November 2018 to November 2022, with clinical evaluation, venous disease questionnaires, data collection of imaging and laboratory tests, and venous color Doppler ultrasound. The information was analyzed by the University of São Paulo (USP) Statistics Department.

Results

There was a prevalence of 7.6% of DVT in studied patients, VCSS score 6.73 and severe CEAP classification (C4-6) 32.1%. There was no association of DVT with qualitative variables by the Fisher test such as Child Turcotte Pugh Scale (CTP) (p = 0.890), dichotomized INR values (p = 0.804), etiology of cirrhosis (p = 0.650) and chronic kidney disease (p > 0.999), nor with quantitative variables by t-student's such as age (p = 0.974), Body Mass Index (BMI) (p = 0.997), MELD score (p = 0.555), Albumin (p = 0.150) and Platelets (p = 0.403). We found that as the severity of ascites increases, there is an increase in the proportion of patients classified in the category indicating more severe clinical manifestations of chronic venous disease (C4 to C6). The mean age (54 years) was higher in patients with DVT than in those without. The mean BMI of patients without DVT (25.7 kg/m2) is lower than that of patients with DVT (27.0 kg/m2). The prevalence of DVT is higher in patients with thrombophilia (20.0%) than in those without (7.0%). This suggests an association between the two variables. The descriptive measures of the MELD score, the cirrhosis scale used for liver transplant waiting lists, did not indicate an association of this scale with the occurrence of DVT.

Conclusion

The incidence of VTE (Venous Thromboembolic Events) and CVD (Chronic Venous Disease) within the sample surpassed that of the general population; nevertheless, more studies are required to validate these results. Concerning venous thromboembolism, no correlation was observed between the variables within the sample and the augmented risk of VTE. Regarding chronic venous disease, studies have shown that edema and orthostatism are correlated with increased severity of CVD on the VCSS scales. Statistical dispersion methods suggest that patients with higher BMI and more severe liver disease (according to the Child-Pugh score) are more likely to experience worsening of CVD. About chronic venous disease, studies have shown that edema and orthostatism are correlated with increased severity of CVD on the VCSS scales.

Sclerotherapy of lower limb veins: Indications, contraindications and treatment strategies to prevent complications - A consensus document of the International Union of Phlebology-2023

BACKGROUND

Sclerotherapy is a non-invasive procedure commonly used to treat superficial venous disease, vascular malformations and other ectatic vascular lesions. While extremely rare, sclerotherapy may be complicated by serious adverse events.

OBJECTIVES

To categorise contraindications to sclerotherapy based on the available scientific evidence.

METHODS

An international, multi-disciplinary panel of phlebologists reviewed the available scientific evidence and developed consensus where evidence was lacking or limited.

RESULTS

Absolute Contraindications to sclerotherapy where the risk of harm would outweigh any benefits include known hypersensitivity to sclerosing agents; acute venous thromboembolism (VTE); severe neurological or cardiac adverse events complicating a previous sclerotherapy treatment; severe acute systemic illness or infection; and critical limb ischaemia. Relative Contraindications to sclerotherapy where the potential benefits of the proposed treatment would outweigh the risk of harm or the risks may be mitigated by other measures include pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding; hypercoagulable states with risk of VTE; risk of neurological adverse events; risk of cardiac adverse events and poorly controlled chronic systemic illness. Conditions and circumstances where Warnings and Precautions should be considered before proceeding with sclerotherapy include risk of cutaneous necrosis or cosmetic complications such as pigmentation and telangiectatic matting; intake of medications such as the oral contraceptive and other exogenous oestrogens, disulfiram and minocycline; and psychosocial factors and psychiatric comorbidities that may increase the risk of adverse events or compromise optimal treatment outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Sclerotherapy can achieve safe clinical outcomes provided that (1) patient-related risk factors and in particular all material risks are (1a) adequately identified and the risk benefit ratio is clearly and openly discussed with treatment candidates within a reasonable timeframe prior to the actual procedure; (1b) when an individual is not a suitable candidate for the proposed intervention, conservative treatment options including the option of 'no intervention as a treatment option' are discussed; (1c) complex cases are referred for treatment in controlled and standardised settings and by practitioners with more expertise in the field; (1d) only suitable individuals with no absolute contraindications or those with relative contraindications where the benefits outweigh the risks are offered intervention; (1e) if proceeding with intervention, appropriate prophylactic measures and other risk-mitigating strategies are adopted and appropriate follow-up is organised; and (2) procedure-related risk factors are minimised by ensuring the treating physicians (2a) have adequate training in general phlebology with additional training in duplex ultrasound, procedural phlebology and in particular sclerotherapy; (2b) maintain their knowledge and competency over time and (2c) review and optimise their treatment strategies and techniques on a regular basis to keep up with the ongoing progress in medical technology and contemporary scientific evidence.

Incidence and outcomes of thromboembolic and bleeding events in patients with liver cirrhosis in the USA

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Understanding the epidemiology of bleeding and thromboembolism (clotting) in liver cirrhosis provides important data for future studies and policymaking; however, head-to-head comparisons of bleeding and clotting remain limited.

METHODS

This is a populational retrospective cohort study using the US National Readmission Database of 2018 to compare the incidence and outcomes of bleeding and clotting events in patients with liver cirrhosis. The primary outcomes were the 11-month incidence proportion of bleeding and clotting events.

RESULTS

Of 1 304 815 participants, 26 569 had liver cirrhosis (45.0% women, mean age 57.2 [SD, 12.7] years). During the 11-month follow-up, in patients with cirrhosis, for bleeding and clotting events, the incidence proportions was 15.3% and 6.6%; the risk-standardized all-cause mortality rates were 2.4% and 1.0%; the rates of intensive care intervention were 4.1% and 1.9%; the rates of rehabilitation transfer were .2% and .2%; the cumulative length of stays were 45 100 and 23 566 days; total hospital costs were 147 and 84 million US dollars; total hospital charges were 620 and 365 million US dollars. Compared to non-cirrhosis, liver cirrhosis was associated with higher rates of bleeding (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.02 [95% CI, 2.85-3.20]) and portal vein thrombosis (PVT) (18.46 [14.86-22.92]), and slightly lower risks of other non-PVT venous thromboembolic events (.82 [.75-.89]).

CONCLUSIONS

Bleeding is more common than thromboembolism in patients with liver cirrhosis, causes higher morbidity, mortality and resource utilization. Liver cirrhosis is an independent risk factor for bleeding and PVT, but not non-PVT thromboembolism including venous thromboembolism, acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke.

COVID-19 Vaccination and Alcohol Consumption: Justification of Risks

Since the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, pharmaceutical companies and research institutions have been actively working to develop vaccines, and the mass roll-out of vaccinations against COVID-19 began in January 2021. At the same time, during lockdowns, the consumption of alcoholic beverages increased. During the peak of vaccination, consumption remained at high levels around the world, despite the gradual relaxation of quarantine restrictions. Two of the popular queries on search engines were whether it is safe to drink alcohol after vaccination and whether this will affect the effectiveness of vaccines. Over the past two years, many studies have been published suggesting that excessive drinking not only worsens the course of an acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus but can also exacerbate post-COVID-19 syndrome. Despite all sorts of online speculation, there is no specific scientific data on alcohol-induced complications after vaccination in the literature. Most of the published vaccine clinical trials do not include groups of patients with a history of alcohol-use disorders. This review analyzed the well-known and new mechanisms of action of COVID-19 vaccines on the immune system and the effects of alcohol and its metabolites on these mechanisms.

Hip Fractures in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis: Worsening Liver Function Is Associated with Increased Mortality

BACKGROUND

Liver cirrhosis is associated with osteoporosis, imbalance leading to falls, and subsequent fragility fractures. Knowing the prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis of varying severity at the time of hip fracture would help physicians determine the course of treatment in this complex patient popultaion.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

(1) Is there an association between liver cirrhosis of varying severity and mortality in patients with hip fractures? (2) Is there an association between liver cirrhosis of varying severity and the in-hospital, 30-day, and 90-day postoperative complications of symptomatic thromboembolism and infections including wound complications, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections?

METHODS

Between 2015 and 2019, we identified 128 patients with liver cirrhosis who were treated for hip fractures at one of two Level I trauma centers. Patients younger than 18 years, those with incomplete medical records, fractures other than hip fractures or periprosthetic hip fractures, noncirrhotic liver disease, status after liver transplantation, and metastatic cancer other than hepatocellular carcinoma were excluded. Based on these exclusions, 77% (99 of 128) of patients were eligible; loss to follow-up was 0% within 1 year and 4% (4 of 99) at 2 years. The median follow-up duration was 750 days (interquartile range 232 to 1000). Ninety-four patients were stratified based on Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score subgroup (MELD scores of 6-9 [MELD6-9], 10-19 [MELD10-19], and 20-40 [MELD20-40]), and 99 were stratified based on compensation or decompensation status, both measures for liver cirrhosis severity. MELD scores combine laboratory parameters related to liver disease and are used to predict cirrhosis-related mortality based on metabolic abnormalities. Decompensation, however, is the clinical finding of acute deterioration in liver function characterized by ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and variceal hemorrhage, associated with increased mortality. MELD analyses excluded 5% (5 of 99) of patients due to missing laboratory values. Median age at the time of hip fracture was 69 years (IQR 62 to 78), and 55% (54 of 99) of patients were female. The primary outcome of mortality was determined at 90 days, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. Secondary outcomes were symptomatic thromboembolism and infections, defined as any documented surgical wound complications, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections requiring treatment. These were determined by chart review at three timepoints: in-hospital and within 30 days or 90 days after discharge. The primary outcome was assessed using a Cox proportional hazard analysis for the MELD score and compensation or decompensation classifications; secondary outcomes were analyzed using the Fisher exact test.

RESULTS

Patients in the MELD20-40 group had higher 90-day (hazard ratio 3.95 [95% CI 1.39 to 12.46]; p = 0.01), 1-year (HR 4.12 [95% CI 1.52 to 11.21]; p < 0.001), and 2-year (HR 3.65 [95% CI 1.68 to 7.93]; p < 0.001) mortality than those in the MELD6-9 group. Patients with decompensation had higher in-hospital (9% versus 0%; p = 0.04), 90-day (HR 3.35 [95% CI 1.10 to 10.25]; p = 0.03), 1-year (HR 4.39 [95% CI 2.02 to 9.54]; p < 0.001), and 2-year (HR 3.80 [95% CI 2.02 to 7.15]; p < 0.001) mortality than did patients with compensated disease. All in-hospital deaths were related to liver failure and within 30 days of surgery. The 1-year mortality was 55% for MELD20-40 and 53% for patients with decompensated disease, compared with 16% for patients with MELD6-9 and 15% for patients with compensated disease. In both the MELD and (de)compensation analyses, in-hospital and postdischarge 30-day symptomatic thromboembolic and infectious complications were not different among the groups (all p > 0.05). Ninety-day symptomatic thromboembolism was higher in the MELD20-40 group compared with the other two MELD classifications (13% for MELD20-40 and 0% for both MELD6-9 and MELD10-19; p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

The mortality of patients with preexisting liver cirrhosis who sustain a hip fracture is high, and it is associated with the degree of cirrhosis and decline in liver function, especially in those with signs of decompensation, defined as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and variceal hemmorrhage. Patients with mild-to-moderate cirrhosis (MELD score < 20) and those with compensated disease may undergo routine fracture treatment based on their prognosis. Those with severe (MELD score > 20) or decompensated liver cirrhosis should receive multidisciplinary, individualized treatment, with consideration given to palliative and nonsurgical treatment given their high risk of death within 1 year after surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study.

Incidence and prevalence of venous thromboembolism in chronic liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Historically, bleeding was thought to be a frequent and fatal complication of liver disease. However, thrombosis due to coagulation disorders in cirrhosis remains a real risk. We aim to systematically analyse published articles to evaluate epidemiology of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in chronic liver disease (CLD).

METHOD

Electronic search was conducted on Ovid Medline, EMBASE and Scopus from inception to November 2021 to identify studies presenting epidemiology VTE (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) in CLD in inpatients and/or community settings. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to determine pooled per-year cumulative incidence, incidence rate and prevalence. Heterogeneity was measured by I² test, and, potential sources of heterogeneity by meta-regression and sensitivity analysis. PROSPERO registration-CRD42021239117.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine studies comprising 19,157,018 participants were included, of which 15,2049 (0.79%) had VTE. None of the included studies were done in the community. In hospitalised patients with CLD: pooled cumulative incidence of VTE was 1.07% (95% CI 0.80,1.38) per-year, incidence rate was 157.15 (95% CI 14.74,445.29) per 10,000 person-years, and period prevalence was 1.10% (95% CI 0.85,1.38) per year. There was significant heterogeneity and publication bias. Pooled relative risk (RR) of studies reporting incidence rate was 2.11 (95% CI 1.35,3.31). CLD patients (n = 1644), who did not receive pharmacological prophylaxis were at 2.78 times (95% CI 1.11, 6.98) increased risk of VTE compared to those receiving prophylaxis.

CONCLUSION

Hospitalised patients with CLD may be at an increased risk of VTE. For every 1000 hospitalised patients with CLD ten have new, and eleven have pre-existing diagnoses of VTE per-year.

EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines on prevention and management of bleeding and thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis

The prevention and management of bleeding and thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis poses several difficult clinical questions. These Clinical Practice Guidelines have been developed to provide practical guidance on debated topics, including current views on haemostasis in liver disease, controversy regarding the need to correct thrombocytopenia and abnormalities in the coagulation system in patients undergoing invasive procedures, and the need for thromboprophylaxis in hospitalised patients with haemostatic abnormalities. Multiple recommendations in this document are based on interventions that the panel feels are not useful, even though widely applied in clinical practice.

Antiplatelet drugs and liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis results from an imbalance between extracellular matrix formation and degradation. The background of liver fibrosis is chronic inflammation and subsequent microcirculation disturbance including microthrombosis. Platelets actively participate in liver fibrosis not only as a part of the clotting system but also by releasing granules containing important mediators. In fact, platelets may play a dual role in the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis as they are able to stimulate regeneration as well as aggravate the destruction of the liver. Recent studies revealed that antiplatelet therapy correlates with inhibition of liver fibrosis. However, liver impairment is associated with extensive coagulation disorders thus the safety of antiplatelet therapy is an area for detailed exploration. In this review, the role of platelets in liver fibrosis and accompanying hemostatic disorders are discussed. Additionally, results of animal and human studies on antiplatelet drugs in liver disorders and their potential therapeutic utility are presented.

Coagulopathies in Intensive Care Medicine: Balancing Act between Thrombosis and Bleeding

Patient Blood Management advocates an individualized treatment approach, tailored to each patient's needs, in order to reduce unnecessary exposure to allogeneic blood products. The optimization of hemostasis and minimization of blood loss is of high importance when it comes to critical care patients, as coagulopathies are a common phenomenon among them and may significantly impact morbidity and mortality. Treating coagulopathies is complex as thrombotic and hemorrhagic conditions may coexist and the medications at hand to modulate hemostasis can be powerful. The cornerstones of coagulation management are an appropriate patient evaluation, including the individual risk of bleeding weighed against the risk of thrombosis, a proper diagnostic work-up of the coagulopathy's etiology, treatment with targeted therapies, and transfusion of blood product components when clinically indicated in a goal-directed manner. In this article, we will outline various reasons for coagulopathy in critical care patients to highlight the aspects that need special consideration. The treatment options outlined in this article include anticoagulation, anticoagulant reversal, clotting factor concentrates, antifibrinolytic agents, desmopressin, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets. This article outlines concepts with the aim of the minimization of complications associated with coagulopathies in critically ill patients. Hereditary coagulopathies will be omitted in this review.

Establishment of a risk assessment score for deep vein thrombosis after artificial liver support system treatment

BACKGROUND

The artificial liver support system (ALSS) is an effective treatment method for liver failure, but it requires deep venous intubation and long-term indwelling catheterization. However, the coagulation mechanism disorder of basic liver failure diseases, and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) often occur.

AIM

To evaluate the risk factors for DVT following use of an ALSS and establish a risk assessment score.

METHODS

This study was divided into three stages. In the first stage, the risk factors for DVT were screened and the patient data were collected, including ALSS treatment information; biochemical indices; coagulation and hematology indices; complications; procoagulant use therapy status; and a total of 24 indicators. In the second stage, a risk assessment score for DVT after ALSS treatment was developed. In the third stage, the DVT risk assessment score was validated.

RESULTS

A total of 232 patients with liver failure treated with ALSS were enrolled in the first stage, including 12 with lower limb DVT. Logistic regression analysis showed that age [odds ratio (OR), 1.734; P = 0.01], successful catheterization time (OR, 1.667; P = 0.005), activity status (strict bed rest) (OR, 3.049; P = 0.005), and D-dimer level (≥ 500 ng/mL) (OR, 5.532; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for DVT. We then established a scoring system for risk factors. In the validation group, a total of 213 patients with liver failure were treated with ALSS, including 14 with lower limb DVT. When the cutoff value of risk assessment was 3, the specificity and sensitivity of the risk assessment score were 88.9% and 85.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A simple risk assessment scoring system was established for DVT patients with liver failure treated with ALSS and was verified to have good sensitivity and specificity.

Management of liver disease patients in different clinical situations during COVID-19 pandemic

Chronic liver diseases are common worldwide, especially in developing countries. The rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)/(COVID-19) leads to the infection of many patients with underlying chronic liver diseases. As a relatively new disease, management of COVID-19, in the context of chronic liver disease, is mainly based on the experience of the treating physician and the available data. In this review, we summarize the available evidence about the management of liver disease patients, in the context of COVID-19 infection, which can increase the severity of viral hepatitis B. Also, its clearance in HBV patients is delayed. A sixfold increased severity of COVID-19 was reported in obese patients with metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFDL). In patients with autoimmune liver disease (AILD), it is not recommended to change their immunosuppressive therapy (as long as they are not infected with COVID-19), in order to avoid a flare of liver disease. However, immunosuppressant drugs should be modified, in the case of infection with COVID-19. To date, no data suggest an increased risk or severity in metabolic liver diseases, such as hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, or alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Patients with liver cirrhosis should be carefully managed with minimum exposure to healthcare facilities. Basic investigations for follow-up can be scheduled at wider intervals; if patients need admission, this should be in COVID-19-clean areas. Patients with hepatocellular carcinomas may have a poor prognosis according to preliminary reports from China. The course of COVID-19 in liver transplant recipients on immunosuppression seems to have a benign course, based on few reports in children and adults. The hepatotoxicity of COVID-19 drugs ranges from mild liver enzyme elevation to a flare of underlying liver diseases. Therefore, the decision should be customized. Telemedicine can minimize the exposure of healthcare workers and patients to infection with COVID-19 and decrease the consumption of personal protective equipment.

Point-of-Care Echocardiography and Hemodynamic Monitoring in Cirrhosis and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in the COVID-19 Era

Point-of-Care (POC) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is transforming the management of patients with cirrhosis presenting with septic shock, acute kidney injury, hepatorenal syndrome and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) by correctly assessing the hemodynamic and volume status at the bedside using combined echocardiography and POC ultrasound (POCUS). When POC TTE is performed by the hepatologist or intensivist in the intensive care unit (ICU), and interpreted remotely by a cardiologist, it can rule out cardiovascular conditions that may be contributing to undifferentiated shock, such as diastolic dysfunction, myocardial infarction, myocarditis, regional wall motion abnormalities and pulmonary embolism. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a delay in seeking medical treatment, reduced invasive interventions and deferment in referrals leading to "collateral damage" in critically ill patients with liver disease. Thus, the use of telemedicine in the ICU (Tele-ICU) has integrated cardiology, intensive care, and hepatology practices across the spectrum of ICU, operating room, and transplant healthcare. Telecardiology tools have improved bedside diagnosis when introduced as part of COVID-19 care by remote supervision and interpretation of POCUS and echocardiographic data. In this review, we present the contemporary approach of using POC echocardiography and offer a practical guide for primary care hepatologists and gastroenterologists for cardiac assessment in critically ill patients with cirrhosis and ACLF. Evidenced based use of Tele-ICU can prevent delay in cardiac diagnosis, optimize safe use of expert resources and ensure timely care in the setting of critically ill cirrhosis, ACLF and liver transplantation in the COVID-19 era.

Portal vein thrombosis prevalence and mortality among alcoholic cirrhosis in a nationwide inpatient cohort

OBJECTIVES

Portal vein thrombosis is commonly associated with cirrhosis. The effect of alcoholic cirrhosis on portal vein thrombosis prevalence and mortality has not been well studied.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study utilizing the 2000-2014 National Inpatient Sample Database. We included patients older than 18 years with decompensated cirrhosis without a history of liver transplantation or hepatocellular carcinoma. We further identified patients with alcoholic cirrhosis vs. non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Primary outcomes included the risk and mortality of portal vein thrombosis in alcoholic cirrhosis. Secondary outcomes included trends of portal vein thrombosis prevalence and mortality in alcoholic cirrhosis, implications of portal vein thrombosis on complications in alcoholic cirrhosis vs. non-alcoholic cirrhosis, and risk of venous thromboembolism in alcoholic cirrhosis.

RESULTS

Among 1 892 271 patients with decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis, portal vein thrombosis prevalence was 1.3%. Alcoholic cirrhosis was associated with lower risk of portal vein thrombosis (odds ratio 0.76, P < 0.001) and venous thromboembolism (odds ratio 0.69, P < 0.001) compared to non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Portal vein thrombosis contributed to increased mortality (odds ratio 1.19, P < 0.001) in alcoholic cirrhosis. Portal vein thrombosis prevalence among alcoholic cirrhosis increased while mortality declined during the study period.

CONCLUSION

Thrombotic events including portal vein thrombosis and venous thromboembolism were found in less frequent association with alcoholic cirrhosis compared with non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Despite this, the higher in-hospital mortality found among portal vein thrombosis with alcoholic cirrhosis should prompt careful consideration of management.

Nationwide cohort study of outcomes of acute myocardial infarction in patients with liver cirrhosis: A nationwide cohort study

Liver cirrhotic predisposes patients to coagulopathy and bleeding. Little is known about outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in cirrhotic patients.Data from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database during 2001 to 2013 were retrieved for patients admitted with cirrhosis and AMI. We excluded patients with missing information, <20 years old, previous AMI, previous coronary intervention, and liver transplant. Patients were separated into cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic. Primary outcomes included all-cause mortality, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE: recurrent MI, revascularization, ischemic stroke, and heart failure), and liver outcomes (hepatic encephalopathy, ascites tapping, spontaneous peritonitis, and esophageal varices bleeding).A total of 3217 cirrhotic patients and 6434 non-cirrhotic patients were analyzed, with a mean follow up of 2.8 ± 3.3 years. In cirrhotic patients with AMI, subsequent coronary and cerebrovascular events were lower in comparison to non-cirrhotic patients, with higher all-cause mortality observed from adverse liver related outcomes and bleeding. There were significantly lower cumulative incidence of both recurrent MI and MACCE in cirrhotic patients with AMI compared with non-cirrhotic patients with AMI (hazard ratio [HR] 0.82, confidence interval [CI] 0.71-0.94, P = .006 and HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79-0.92, P < .001, respectively). There was significantly higher cumulative incidence of liver related outcome in cirrhotic patients with AMI compared with non-cirrhotic patients with AMI (HR 2.27, 95% CI 2.06-2.51, P < .001). And there was significantly higher all-cause mortality in cirrhotic patients with AMI compared with non-cirrhotic patients with AMI (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.23-1.38, P < .001).In cirrhotic cohort with AMI, a decreased in coronary and cerebrovascular events were observed. However, these patients also had higher all-cause mortality due to adverse liver outcomes and bleeding.

Suboptimal use of pharmacological venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in cirrhotic patients

BACKGROUND

Cirrhosis was previously perceived as a haemorrhagic disease state due to frequent associations with coagulopathy and bleeding. However, the coagulopathy of cirrhosis is complex with defects in both procoagulant and anticoagulant factors. Derangements in common laboratory indices of coagulation do not accurately reflect bleeding risk or protection from thrombotic events.

AIMS

To assess the rate of pharmacological prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) among hospital inpatients with cirrhosis and analyse factors associated with prophylaxis being inappropriately withheld.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was performed in a tertiary teaching hospital. Patients included were admitted for greater than 48 h with discharge diagnosis codes corresponding to chronic liver disease and/or cirrhosis. The use of VTE chemoprophylaxis with enoxaparin was assessed in cirrhotic patients and non-cirrhotic controls. Patient data collected included contraindications to prophylaxis, known high-risk varices, international normalised ratio (INR), creatinine, bilirubin, haemoglobin and platelet count.

RESULTS

Of 108 patients with cirrhosis eligible for VTE prophylaxis, 61 (56.5%) received prophylaxis compared to 104 (96.3%) non-cirrhotic patients. Platelets and INR were significantly different between those who did and did not receive VTE prophylaxis. On multivariate analysis, platelet count and INR were independent predictors for VTE not being administered.

CONCLUSION

The administration of chemoprophylaxis in accordance with the hospital guidelines was suboptimal in patients with cirrhosis. Platelet count and INR were independent predictors of prophylaxis use. Our results suggest persistent misperceptions that prolonged INR and thrombocytopenia predict bleeding risk in cirrhosis.

Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Cirrhotic Patients: Current Evidence and Clinical Observations

The introduction of Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) to the pharmaceutical market provided patients and clinicians with novel convenient and safe options of anticoagulation. The use of this class of medications is currently limited to venous thromboembolic therapy and prophylaxis, in addition to stroke prophylaxis in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Despite their altered hemostasis, patients with cirrhosis are thought to be in a procoagulant state and thus prone to thrombus formation. Patients with cirrhosis might benefit from the convenience of DOACs; however, the medical literature includes limited data on the efficacy and safety of DOACs in this special patient population. The aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence for anticoagulation options in patients with cirrhosis and their safety profile.

Hypercoagulability in End-stage Liver Disease: Review of Epidemiology, Etiology, and Management

In this review, we analyze the epidemiology of thromboses related to end-stage liver disease (ESLD), discuss causes of hypercoagulability, describe susceptible populations, and critically evaluate proposed prophylaxis and treatment of thromboses. Classically, ESLD has been regarded as a model for coagulopathy, and patients were deemed to be at high risk for bleeding complications. Patients with ESLD are not auto-anticoagulated, and they do not have a lower risk of portal vein thrombosis, intracardiac thrombus formation, pulmonary embolism or hepatic artery thrombosis. Though the cause of hypercoagulability is multifactorial, endothelial dysfunction likely plays a central role for all patients with ESLD. Some subpopulations, such as patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and autoimmune conditions, are at increased risk of thrombotic events as are patients of Hispanic ethnicity. The science behind prophylaxis of different types of clotting and treatment of thromboses is developing rapidly. A number of medications, including low molecular weight heparin, unfractionated heparin, aspirin, vitamin K antagonists, and direct oral anticoagulants can be used, but clear guidelines are lacking. Acute intraoperative clotting can be associated with high mortality. Routine use of transesophageal echocardiography can be helpful in early recognition and treatment of intraoperative thrombosis. Heparin should be reserved for cases of intracardiac thrombus/pulmonary embolism without hemodynamic instability. In unstable patients, low dose of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator can be used. In this new era of heightened awareness of thrombotic events in ESLD patients, prospective randomized trials are urgently needed to best guide clinical practice.

Thromboelastography does not predict outcome in different etiologies of cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

New laboratory tests that measure global hemostasis indicate generally preserved hemostatic function in patients with cirrhosis. It is not known whether normal hemostatic function is maintained across various subsets of patients.

OBJECTIVES

In the present study, we investigated clot generation and clot lysis kinetics in a large group of patients with different etiologies of disease.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Blood samples of 270 patients with cirrhosis were studied using thromboelastography (TEG), which measures the dynamic and physical properties of clot formation and lysis in whole blood. TEG parameters of different subsets of the patient population were compared. Correlations with routine laboratory tests as well as clinical outcomes were explored.

RESULTS

Overall, TEG parameters were normal and similar between underlying disease etiologies. A proportion of subjects showed hypocoagulable features, with the exception of patients with cholestatic cirrhosis in whom TEG readings showed hypercoagulable features. In all groups, K-time, α-Angle, and MA correlated well with platelet counts and fibrinogen plasma levels. After a mean follow-up of 2 years and 11 months, 31 patients had experienced a bleeding event, 8 had developed thrombosis, and 173 patients (64%) had undergone liver transplantation and/or had died. TEG baseline parameters were similar between patients subdivided according to outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

TEG parameters reflected generally preserved function of the hemostatic system in patients with cirrhosis, with hypo- and hypercoagulable features in subsets of patients with specific underlying disease etiologies. Abnormalities in TEG parameters did however not predict bleeding, thrombosis, or risk of liver transplantation and/or death.

Effect of alcohol intoxication on the risk of venous thromboembolism: A nationwide retrospective cohort study

This study investigated whether alcohol intoxication (AI) increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) by using the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD).Using data from the NHIRD, we assembled 61,229 patients with acute AI and randomly selected 244,916 controls. Each patient was monitored from 2000 to 2011 to identify those who were subsequently diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was conducted to determine the risk of VTE in the patients with AI compared with the controls.The incidence rate of DVT during the 10 years follow-up period was 9.36 per 10,000 person-years and 2.07 per 10,000 person-years in the AI and non-AI cohorts, respectively. Moreover, the incidence rate of PE was 4 per 10,000 person-years in the AI cohort and 0.93 in the non-AI cohort. After adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities, the risks of DVT and PE were 3.40 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.83-4.08] and 3.53 (95% CI = 2.69-4.65)-fold higher in the AI cohort than in the non-AI cohort.An increased incidence of VTE was observed among patients with AI. Therefore, physicians should carefully estimate the risk of VTE in patients with AI.

Association Between Cirrhosis and Stroke in a Nationally Representative Cohort

Importance

Cirrhosis is associated with hemorrhagic and thrombotic extrahepatic complications. The risk of cerebrovascular complications is less well understood.

Objective

To investigate the association between cirrhosis and various stroke types.

Design, Setting, and Participants

We performed a retrospective cohort study using inpatient and outpatient Medicare claims data from January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2014, for a random 5% sample of 1 618 059 Medicare beneficiaries older than 66 years.

Exposures

Cirrhosis, as defined by a validated diagnosis code algorithm.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was stroke, and secondary outcomes were ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage as defined by validated diagnosis code algorithms.

Results

Among 1 618 059 beneficiaries, 15 586 patients (1.0%) had cirrhosis (mean [SD] age, 74.1 [6.9] years; 7263 [46.6%] female). During a mean (SD) of 4.3 (1.9) years of follow-up, 77 268 patients were hospitalized with a stroke. The incidence of stroke was 2.17% (95% CI, 1.99%-2.36%) per year in patients with cirrhosis and 1.11% (95% CI, 1.10%-1.11%) per year in patients without cirrhosis. After adjustment for demographic characteristics and stroke risk factors, patients with cirrhosis had a higher risk of stroke (hazard ratio [HR], 1.4; 95% CI, 1.3-1.5). The magnitude of association appeared to be higher for intracerebral hemorrhage (HR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.5-2.4) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (HR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.7-3.5) than for ischemic stroke (HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.2-1.5).

Conclusions and Relevance

In a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries, cirrhosis was associated with an increased risk of stroke, particularly hemorrhagic stroke. A potential explanation of these findings implicates the mixed coagulopathy observed in cirrhosis.

Value of Preoperative Hemostasis Testing in Patients with Liver Disease for Perioperative Hemostatic Management

Preoperative hemostasis testing may have limited use in patients with liver disease, and an abnormal platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrinogen level should not trigger prophylactic transfusion of blood product components.

The efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants vs traditional anticoagulants in cirrhosis

INTRODUCTION

The coagulopathy of cirrhosis is complex, placing patients at risk for both bleeding and thrombosis. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have equivalent or superior efficacy and safety as compared to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs); however, their efficacy and safety in liver cirrhosis has not been studied. To better define this, we evaluated outcomes of patients with cirrhosis prescribed DOACs compared to other anticoagulants at our center.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of patients with cirrhosis prescribed therapeutic anticoagulation over a 3-year period for thrombosis or prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. The primary outcomes of interest were bleeding events and recurrent thrombosis or stroke.

RESULTS

During the study period, 27 patients with cirrhosis were prescribed a DOAC and 18 were prescribed VKA or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). Both groups had similar total bleeding events (8 DOAC vs 10 other, P=.12). There were significantly less major bleeding episodes in the DOAC group (1 [4%] vs 5 [28%], P=.03). Recurrent thrombosis occurred in one patient receiving a DOAC (4%) and one patient (6%) receiving other anticoagulation (P=1.0).

CONCLUSIONS

Direct oral anticoagulant use in patients with cirrhosis may be as safe as traditional anticoagulants. Patients with cirrhosis at our center prescribed DOACs had less major bleeding events, while maintaining efficacy at preventing stroke or thrombosis.

Venous Thrombotic Events After Liver Transplantation

Thromboprophylaxis is not well defined after liver transplantation (LT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) and nonsplanchnic vein thrombosis (NSVT) after LT. Liver transplantations performed between 2009 and 2013 in our institution were reviewed. Demographic, intraoperative, and postoperative data were recorded. Low-molecular-weight heparin was only administered postoperatively if intraoperative thrombectomy was performed or in patients preoperatively anticoagulated. Of a total of 328 patients, 72% were male with a median age of 56 years, score of model for end-stage liver disease 18 (11-23), and 88% had liver cirrhosis. The incidence of postoperative venous thrombotic events was 4.6%: 8 (2.4%) patients had SVT and 7 (2.1%) patients had NSVT. After logistic regression analysis, intraoperative thrombectomy and Child A classification emerged as risk factors for SVT (odds ratio [OR]: 77, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 14-421) and NSVT (OR: 20, 95% CI: 3-170), respectively. The incidence of SVT in patients who undergo intraoperative thrombectomy was 33%, whereas the incidence of NSVT in patients grouped as Child A was 7.5%. Our results suggest that thromboprophylaxis should be considered after LT in patients with cirrhosis grouped as Child A and in patients who undergo intraoperative thrombectomy.

Bleeding Risk and Management in Interventional Procedures in Chronic Liver Disease

The coagulopathy of liver disease is distinctly different from therapeutic anticoagulation in a patient. Despite stable elevated standard clot-based coagulation assays, nearly all patients with stable chronic liver disease (CLD) have normal or increased clotting. Common unfamiliarity with the limitations of these assays in CLD may lead to inappropriate and sometimes harmful interventions, including blood product transfusions before a procedure. Knowledge of the distinct hemostatic alterations in CLD can allow identification of the small subset of patients with clinically significant coagulopathy who can benefit from hematologic optimization before invasive procedures.

Thrombin activation and liver inflammation in advanced hepatitis C virus infection

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with increased thrombotic risk. Several mechanisms are involved including direct endothelial damage by the HCV virus, with activation of tissue factor, altered fibrinolysis and increased platelet aggregation and activation. In advanced stages, chronic HCV infection may evolve to liver cirrhosis, a condition in which alterations in the portal microcirculation may also ultimately lead to thrombin activation, platelet aggregation, and clot formation. Therefore in advanced HCV liver disease there is an increased prevalence of thrombotic phenomena in portal vein radicles. Increased thrombin formation may activate hepatic stellate cells and promote liver fibrosis. In addition, ischemic changes derived from vascular occlusion by microthrombi favor the so called parenchymal extinction, a process that promotes collapse of hepatocytes and the formation of gross fibrous tracts. These reasons may explain why advanced HCV infection may evolve more rapidly to end-stage liver disease than other forms of cirrhosis.

Image-guided intervention in the coagulopathic patient

Determining practice parameters for interventional procedures is challenging due to many factors including unreliable laboratory tests to measure bleeding risk, variable usage of standardized terminology for adverse events, poorly defined standards for administration of blood products, and the growing numbers of anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications. We aim to address these and other issues faced by radiologists performing invasive procedures through a review of available literature, and experiential guidance from three academic medical centers. We discuss the significant limitations with respect to using prothrombin-time and international normalized ratio to measure bleeding risk, especially in patients with synthetic defects due to liver function. Factors affecting platelet function including the impact of uremia; recent advances in laboratory testing, including platelet function testing; and thromboelastography are also discussed. A review of the existing literature of fresh-frozen plasma replacement therapy is included. The literature regarding comorbidities affecting coagulation including malignancy, liver failure, and uremia are also reviewed. Finally, the authors present a set of recommendations for laboratory thresholds, corrective transfusions, as well as withholding and restarting medications.

Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and In-Hospital Mortality of Venous Thromboembolism in Liver Cirrhosis: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), may be increased in liver cirrhosis. We conducted a single-center study to explore the epidemiology, risk factors, and in-hospital mortality of VTE in Chinese patients with liver cirrhosis.

MATERIAL/METHODS

All patients with liver cirrhosis who were consecutively admitted to our hospital between January 2011 and December 2013 were retrospectively included.

RESULTS

Of 2006 patients with liver cirrhosis included, 9 patients were diagnosed with or developed VTE during hospitalization, including 5 patients with a previous history of DVT, 1 patient with either a previous history of DVT or new onset of PE, and 3 patients with new onset of VTE (PE, n=1; DVT, n=2). Risk factors for VTE included a significantly higher proportion of hypertension and significantly higher red blood cells, hemoglobin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), D-dimer, and Child-Pugh scores. The in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with VTE than those without VTE (33.3% [3/9] versus 3.4% [67/1997], P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

VTE was observed in 0.4% of patients with liver cirrhosis during hospitalization and it significantly increased the in-hospital mortality. Elevated PT/INR aggravated the risk of VTE.

Anticoagulation in Patients With Cirrhosis: Caught Between a Rock-Liver and a Hard Place

OBJECTIVE

To review current literature for anticoagulation in patients with cirrhosis and provide a summary of the effects of cirrhosis on the coagulation cascade, therapeutic monitoring through interpretation of antifactor Xa (anti-Xa), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and international normalized ratio (INR) as well as current prophylaxis and treatment recommendations in cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

A systematic electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed using the key termsanticoagulation, warfarin, low-molecular-weight heparin(LMWH),unfractionated heparin(UFH),target-specific oral anticoagulants, deep-vein thrombosis(DVT),pulmonary embolism(PE),portal vein thrombosis(PVT),venous thromboembolism, anti-Xa, activated partial thromboplastin time, anticoagulation therapeutic monitoring, coagulopathy, coagulation cascade, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, anddecompensated liver disease

STUDY SELECTION

Studies written in the English language from January 2000 to December 2015 were considered for this review article. All search results were reviewed, and the relevance of each article was determined by authors independently.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with cirrhosis are at higher risk for both bleeding and thrombosis-related complications. Cirrhosis affects production of both procoagulant and anticoagulant factors, thus resulting in increased INR and aPTT levels and decreased anti-Xa levels. LMWH is the treatment of choice for the prevention and treatment of DVT/PE/PVT in patients with cirrhosis, and monitoring with anti-Xa levels for dose adjustment is not recommended. UFH is an alternative in cirrhotic patients for shorter-term use and in cases of severe renal dysfunction and/or hemodynamic instability. Cirrhotic patients on anticoagulation therapy should be monitored closely for signs and symptoms of bleeding and thrombosis.

Association between Liver Disease and Intracranial Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Liver disease is common and associated with clinical and laboratory evidence of coagulopathy. The association between liver disease and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) remains unclear. Our aim was to assess whether liver disease increases the risk of ICH.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study based on administrative claims data from California, Florida, and New York acute care hospitals from 2005 through 2011. Of a random 5% sample, we included patients discharged from the emergency department or hospital after a diagnosis of liver disease and compared them to patients without liver disease. Patients with cirrhotic liver disease were additionally analyzed separately. Kaplan-Meier survival statistics were used to calculate cumulative rates of incident ICH, and Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to adjust for demographic characteristics, vascular disease, and Elixhauser comorbidities. Multiple models tested the robustness of our results.

RESULTS

Among 1,909,816 patients with a mean follow-up period of 4.1 (±1.8) years, the cumulative rate of ICH after a diagnosis of liver disease was 1.70% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55%-1.87%) compared to .40% (95% CI, .39%-.41%) in patients without liver disease (P <.001 by the log-rank test). Liver disease remained associated with an increased hazard of ICH after adjustment for demographic characteristics and vascular risk factors (hazard ratio [HR], 1.8; 95% CI, 1.6-2.0). This was attenuated in models additionally adjusted for general comorbidities (HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.2-1.5).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a modest, independent association between liver disease and the risk of ICH.

Severe hepatic dysfunction is associated with venous thromboembolic events in phase 1 clinical trials

INTRODUCTION

Venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) are a significant cause of death in patients with cancer. The incidence of VTE is not well characterized in early phase clinical trials of novel antineoplastic agents, or in hepatic dysfunction studies designed for patients with varying degrees of liver test abnormalities. We compared the incidences of VTE in phase 1 clinical trials (P1CTs) and hepatic dysfunction trials (HDCTs) sponsored by the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the United States.

MATERIALS & METHODS

We reviewed individual patient records of 1841 subjects for symptomatic VTE diagnosed while on study: 1328 subjects on 42 P1CTs, and 513 subjects on 9 HDCTs. The NCI's Organ Dysfunction Working Group definitions were used to categorize patients. The incidences of VTEs between patients were compared by the Chi square test. Confounders were evaluated with the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel method.

RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS

There were 43 VTEs identified among all subjects (2.3%). There were significantly more VTE observed in the subjects on P1CTs (n=38, 2.9%) than in the subjects on HDCTs (n=5, 1.0%; RR 0.341, 95% 0.13-0.86, p=0.015). For patients on HDCTs, those with severe dysfunction had a high incidence of VTE (RR 10.5 (1.12-93.6), p=0.021) that remained significant in a multivariate model. VTEs were observed less frequently in patients who were enrolled in HDCT than those who were enrolled in P1CT; however, patients with severe hepatic dysfunction were more likely to experience VTE. Severe liver test abnormalities may not be protective against VTE in patients with malignancies receiving chemotherapy.

Changing common sense: Anti-platelet/coagulation therapy against cirrhosis

Until recently, anti-platelet/coagulation therapy had not been recommended for patients with cirrhosis. Although venous thrombosis is one of the representative complications of cirrhosis and ischemic disorders associated with atherosclerosis are not infrequent in cirrhotic patients, many clinicians have tended to hesitate to introduce anti-platelet/coagulation therapy to their patients. Undoubtedly, this is due to the increased risk of hemorrhagic diathesis in cirrhotic patients. However, accumulating evidence has revealed the benefits of anti-platelet/coagulation therapy for cirrhotic patients. In addition to the safety of the therapy carried out against cardiovascular diseases in cirrhotic patients, some clinical data have indicated its preventive effect on venous thrombosis. Moreover, the efficacy of anti-platelet/coagulation therapy against cirrhosis itself has been demonstrated both clinically and experimentally. The conceptual basis for application of anti-platelet/coagulation therapy against cirrhosis was constructed through two pathologic studies on intrahepatic thrombosis in cirrhotic livers. It may be better to use thrombopoietin-receptor agonists, which have been tested as a treatment for cirrhosis-related thrombocytopenia, in combination with anti-platelet drugs to reduce the risk of venous thrombosis. During the last decade, the World Journal of Gastroenterology, a sister journal of World Journal of Hepatology, has been one of the main platforms of active discussion of this theme.

Cirrhosis is Associated with an Increased 30-Day Mortality After Venous Thromboembolism

Objectives:

Patients with cirrhosis are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), but the impact of cirrhosis on the clinical course following VTE is unclear. In a nationwide cohort study, we examined 30-day mortality among patients with cirrhosis and VTE.

Methods:

We used Danish population-based health-care databases (1994–2011) to identify patients with incident VTE, i.e., deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and portal vein thrombosis (PVT). Among these, we identified 745 patients with cirrhosis and 3647 patients without cirrhosis (matched on gender, year of birth, calendar year of VTE diagnosis and VTE type). We assessed the 30-day mortality risk among VTE patients with and without cirrhosis, and the mortality rate ratios (MRRs), using an adjusted Cox model with 95% confidence interval. We obtained information on immediate cause of death for patients who died within 30 days after VTE.

Results:

The 30-day mortality risk for DVT was 7% for patients with cirrhosis and 3% for patients without cirrhosis. Corresponding PE-related mortality risks were 35% and 16%, and PVT-related mortality risks were 19% and 15%, respectively. The adjusted 30-day MRRs were 2.17 (1.24–3.79) for DVT, 1.83 (1.30–2.56) for PE, and 1.30 (0.80–2.13) for PVT. Though overall mortality was higher in patients with cirrhosis than patients without cirrhosis, the proportions of deaths due to PE were similar among patients (25% and 24%, respectively).

Conclusions:

Cirrhosis is a predictor for increased short-term mortality following VTE, with PE as the most frequent cause of death.

Safety and efficacy of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis for hospitalized patients with cirrhosis: a single-center retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Hospitalized patients with cirrhosis are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The benefits and risks of pharmacological thromboprohylaxis in these patients have not been well studied.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the safety and efficacy of pharmacological VTE prophylaxis in hospitalized cirrhotic patients.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of patients with cirrhosis hospitalized at an academic tertiary care referral center over a 5-year period.

RESULTS

Six hundred hospital admissions accounting for 402 patients were included. VTE prophylaxis was administered during 296 (49%) admissions. Patients receiving VTE prophylaxis were older (59 years vs. 55 years, P < 0.001), had longer lengths of stay (9.6 days vs. 6.8 days, P = 0.002), and lower Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores (13.2 vs. 16.1, P < 0.001). In-hospital bleeding events (8.1% vs. 5.5%, P = 0.258), gastrointestinal bleeding events (3.0% vs. 3.2% P = 0.52), new VTE events (2.37% vs. 1.65%, P = 0.537), and mortality (8.4% vs. 7.3%, P = 0.599) were similar in the two groups. VTE prophylaxis did not reduce the risk of VTE (odds ratio 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.23-3.71), and patients receiving unfractionated heparin, but not low molecular weight heparin, were at increased risk for in-hospital bleeding events (odds ratio 2.38, 95% confidence interval 1.15-4.94 vs. 0.87, 0.37-2.05, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The rate of VTE in this cohort of hospitalized cirrhotic patients was low and was unaffected by pharmacological thromboprophylaxis. Unfractionated heparin was associated with an increased risk for in-hospital bleeding, suggesting that if thromboprophylaxis is indicated, low molecular weight heparin may be favored.

Risk-assessment and pharmacological prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in hospitalized patients with chronic liver disease

INTRODUCTION

There is a lack of evidence regarding the need for thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized patients with liver disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Padua Predictor Score (PPS) as a risk-stratification tool for the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with chronic liver disease.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in an academic medical center in the United States. Consecutive adult patients admitted with chronic liver disease were included. Patients were categorized into two groups based on whether they developed a VTE or not. The risk for VTE in each patient was evaluated using the Padua Predictor Score (PPS). Patients were risk stratified using the PPS score as high-risk (score ≥4) and low-risk (score <4). The risk of VTE based on PPS categorization was evaluated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 163 patients with liver disease were included in the study cohort. Of these, 18 (11%) developed VTE. Mean PPS was significantly greater in the VTE group than the non-VTE group (5.8 ± 2.0 versus 3.0 ± 2.1, respectively; p<0.001). In high-risk patients 22% (n=16/72) developed VTE and in low-risk patients 2% (2/91) developed VTE (p<0.001). High-risk patients were more likely to have VTE (OR 12.7, 95% CI 2.8 to 57.4, p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

The PPS is an effective risk assessment tool for VTE in patients hospitalized with chronic liver disease.